Can You Rely on Your HOA to Provide Proper Home Security System?

Over 55 million Americans belong to a homeowners association (HOA), which have both benefits and drawbacks. The benefits are that you can enjoy certain common amenities, such as a pool, gym or recreation room without the associated costs (except for an HOA fee). You can also rely on the HOA for landscaping and gardening upkeep. However, the drawbacks are that you are subject to HOA rules regarding the aesthetics of your home, whether or not you’re allowed to have pets and other regulations that may cause some homeowners to feel like they’re being told how to live their lives.

Another drawback may be security. Because HOAs typically have jurisdiction over a large area, they also have some home security system monitoring responsibilities that these organizations don’t always pay attention to.

SecurityNet, a security consulting company based in San Francisco, has a list of mistakes that HOAs will make when enforcing security. Here are some of the main points:

• Implementing ineffective measures: Some HOAs will rely solely on fake cameras or other ploys to project an image of security, but these methods are easily foiled by smart intruders.

• Not conducting an assessment: Many associations don’t even bother to have property inspected by a consultant to determine if there are any vulnerabilities.

• Relying on one system: Often, an organization will put in place a video security system, but not an access control door that could be just as effective.

To combat these problems, the best solution for homeowners is to consult with an Atlanta alarm company to have a residential burglar alarm system installed, rather than leaving security to a negligent HOA. For more information, contact American Alarm at (770) 645-0061.