Though Halloween is still on the horizon, and Thanksgiving and Christmas may still seem distant, the time is now for HOA Boards to start thinking about holiday decorations. Festive lights and seasonal décor tend to be prickly, at times divisive issues in HOA communities, and it is important for Board members to be clear on what their own rules and regulations say about this contentious issue. Kuester Management Group has released a new statement to the press, recommending that HOA Boards begin their conversation about holiday decorations sooner rather than later.
“There are a number of ways in which this can become an issue,” comments Bryan Kuester, President of Kuester Management Group. “One homeowner may feel like his neighbor’s lights and decorations are out of hand, disruptive, and ugly. If the HOA asks that neighbor to scale back the decorations, however, it can lead to hurt feelings and resentment. What should be a fun and neighborly time of the year can quickly spiral out of control.”
Kuester says the first thing HOA Boards should do is to see what, if anything, their own governing documents say about the topic of holiday decorations. “See what your rules and regulations say, and ensure that you’re enforcing the rules consistently, never giving even the appearance of favoritism,” Kuester comments.
He also advocates for HOA Boards to be reasonable. “If there is a lighting display that keeps the whole neighborhood up all night, it is perfectly reasonable to ask the homeowner to turn the lights off by 10:00 PM,” he says. “However, it is important to also recognize that most homeowners simply want to have something tasteful, festive, and fun. If it’s not really hurting anybody, and doesn’t directly violate any written rules, why make a stink about it?”
Finally, Kuester says it is important for homeowners to know how their conflicts might be resolved. “Make sure homeowners know that any disagreements about décor should be discussed first with neighbors, and then—if no solution is reached—submitted to the Board as a written complaint,” comments Kuester.
“More than anything, just make sure this issue is on the radar of your Board now, and that you have a game plan going into the holiday decorating season,” Kuester concludes.
Those who wish to learn more about Kuester Management Group can do so at www.kuester.com.
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Kuester Management Group, a division of Kuester Companies, works to protect property values and enhance the quality of life in each of its managed communities. Providing a full range of association management services, Kuester Management Group has worked to foster strong, resilient, and unified communities across North and South Carolina. The company’s many services include back-office and administrative functions, horticulture, accounting, legal services, emergency response and repair services, and beyond. The company is proud to offer on-site property managers, all zealous for building strong communities meant to stand the test of time.
More information is available at www.kuester.com
Media ContactCompany Name: Kuester Management Group
Contact Person: Bryan Kuester
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Phone: 704-973-9019
Country: United States
Website: www.kuester.com
