HOA communication apps can help your board of directors to stay in touch with residents. One of the biggest frustrations for HOA members is that they think the board isn’t communicating clearly with them. Members do have some responsibility for being proactive in learning about community developments. However, it falls squarely on the board’s shoulders to provide its HOA members with timely, relevant updates.
Communication is the heart and soul of any organization, and HOAs are no exception. Without conveying the right messages clearly and succinctly, there will likely be problems down the road, such as misunderstandings.
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Common Communication Problems
A common situation is that the board makes an important decision, and only a handful of members are present at the meeting(s) where the issue is discussed. One or more of those in attendance gets upset. Then they start riling up members who were not there, possibly communicating information that, at worst, is incorrect, and at best, is only partly accurate.
Without clear communication from the HOA board, that situation has all the ingredients for a revolt. These situations can be avoided if members had easier access to board actions and the thought process behind them. Certainly, in an ideal world, HOA members would regularly attend board meetings to obtain information directly from the board. However, that typically doesn’t happen, due to conflicting schedules, a lack of interest in agenda items, or general indifference.
How HOA Communication Apps Can Help
Apps are great because they can be used on smartphones, and 85% of Americans now have smartphones. This makes them an ideal tool to communicate with your residents. Apps send notifications directly to your phone, and can also trigger emails so HOA members can’t miss what you’re posting.
You have a lot of options for different communication apps. You could pay for an app specifically designed for HOAs, which is ideal because it offers different levels of access. Additionally, it’s intended for HOAs, which are unique setups that require specific features. However, if you want something simpler that allows people to communicate easily, then a free app that can help boost productivity is a good starting point.
The Best HOA Communication Apps
These 3 HOA communication apps can make a huge difference to your community association. They can help board members and community association managers reach residents. It also allows residents to connect with their neighbors.
Neigbrs by Vinteum
Neigbrs by Vinteum is an award-winning HOA communication tool. It was designed to improve communication between board members, property managers, and residents in HOAs. Its purpose is to fix the chronic communication issues that HOAs face. In our survey, 86% of board members agreed that communication is a significant issue within their association, which the importance of effective communication.
Features
Board members can send notices to all residents, which will be sent as a push notification and an email. They can also post about events, manage service requests, and send messages to groups. Residents can book amenities, read documents, post on their social network, and attend virtual meetings all from their phones.
Neigbrs by Vinteum is a secure HOA communication app, the only people who can log in are residents & homeowners. It is available across North America and has been in business for almost a decade. Our support team will walk you through how to use our software and give you training. We also offer a desktop portal and a personalized website.
It is the best option to streamline your HOA into one communication portal that makes day-to-day tasks more efficient.
Pros:
- Board members and/or managers have full control
- It’s designed with HOAs in mind
- Support is available by chat, email & phone
- We provide full onboarding
Cons:
- It’s not free; our pricing plans start from $70 per month.
Next Door
Next Door is a neighborhood communication app. It’s a great way to connect with your neighbors and stay informed about what’s happening in the community. The idea behind it is to create connections with the people who live near you. It includes a neighborhood map, and when someone recommends a local business or service, it’s cataloged so that everyone can find it later.
What it does
Like Neigbrs by Vinteum, Next Door allows residents to choose what notifications they receive so they’re not overwhelmed. Everyone is verified through a phone call to their landline, a postcard to their address, invitations, or via their credit card billing address.
It’s a social media app centered on your local community, which has gained popularity, especially since the pandemic. NextDoor is now available in 11 countries, showing people’s desire to connect with their neighbors.
It’s a good option if you’re after a community hub, however, there isn’t a dedicated space for documents, booking amenities, or posting maintenance requests. More importantly, the board doesn’t have control over it. You may need to purchase or use additional software, which can become expensive and time-consuming. It’s an HOA app made for residents, not management.
Pros:
- Only verified residents are allowed
- It’s a free app
Cons:
- Requires the whole community to participate
- The board doesn’t have control
- Not made for management
Telegram
Telegram is an example of a free messaging app; it has been downloaded 7.7 million times in the United States in 2022. You could also use Facebook, WhatsApp, iMessenger, or Discord, but Telegram is a very secure app. It also has channels, so you don’t have to be in a huge group chat with everyone in your HOA.
How you can use it
Instead, the board can create a channel and then post messages that are visible to everyone in the channel. You can also see who viewed the message, which gives you more control than a group chat does. Then, you can choose to allow discussion or not. You can also share heavy files, so you could post the by-laws for residents to access.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage of Telegram is that your community could quickly outgrow it, meaning you would need another tool. You would also have to manage residents in a spreadsheet, which is very draining and challenging. However, it can work well for a small HOA or a new community that needs an easy-to-use HOA app.
Pros:
- It’s a free app
- Good support team
Cons:
- It’s not made for HOAs
- You may have to buy or use other software
- It can get messy if residents misuse it
Wrapping Up HOA Communication Apps
| Neigbrs by Vinteum | Next Door | Telegram |
| Great for boards & managers to organize & communicate | A good community app for residents | Works for small HOAs who need a free way to connect with everyone |
HOA communication apps can improve resident satisfaction and make the board’s job easier. There are a lot of different options of not HOA-specific apps that the board can adopt. Alternatively, you can try an app designed with community associations in mind.
To learn more about Neigbrs by Vinteum’s app, full portal and website, book your free demo today!
