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The disconnect between HOAs and servicers has become so severe that associations in South Florida have begun to initiate foreclosure proceedings against larger servicers who failed to pay the monthly fees on their foreclosed properties. duce instances of code violations and resulting fines and fees. Through education and open dialogue, mu- nicipalities, code enforcement departments, and servicers built a partnership to address the chal- lenges of vacant properties across the country. Issues with HOAs affected servicers in a played on behalf of the mortgage industry to protect vacant properties. It is critical they un- derstand the process and know that servicers are on their side. They need to understand the challenges similar way. The lack of communication be- tween servicers and HOAs was challenging for some time, but it became a larger problem in recent years as the housing crisis grew. As with municipalities, field service companies can bridge the gap between HOAs and servicers. Field service companies can provide outreach for their servicing partners through their inspector network. Because inspectors are on the front-line of property preservation, they serve as the first set of eyes on a property. Their services can determine which de- faulted properties belong to HOAs or condo associations. When inspectors visit a property in a gated community or encounter security personnel, they can report that information back to servicers in the same way those inspec- tors report vacancy or damage to a property. The inspector network also can provide field service companies face in maintaining a vacant property without the added burden of trying to gain access to gated and guarded complexes to determine vacancy, secure the property, and assess damages. This need is especially critical in properties directly attached to other units. Any damage, such as a water leak, that goes undetected or cannot be mitigated because a contractor can- not gain access can cause extensive damage to surrounding units. Another concern is the potential hazard and servicer contact listings compiled several years ago. Field service companies and their inspector networks are effective avenues to collect information on local, regional, and national HOAs. HOA listings and contact information should also be added to current or newly cre- ated systems that track and manage VPRs, code compliance, or servicer listings. This would help both servicers and HOAs across the country identify each other and easily ac- cess contact information. HOAs also should have access to servicer databases to share contact information be- tween servicers and HOAs. This helps ensure HOA invoices are sent to the correct address and contact at a servicing organization. The key to a partnership between servicers and HOAs is to open the lines of commu- nication. Access and billing issues can be resolved quickly once communication is es- tablished and a partnership is formed. Just as field service companies serve as information conduits between servicers and municipali- ties, they can be a bridge to connect servicers and HOAs. HOAs with up-to-date contact information for the bank servicing the loan on a particular property. That way, the HOA can collect pay- ment of their fees. The field service company serves as a link between servicers and HOAs, much as they do with servicers and munici- palities. Along that same line, field service companies can help educate HOAs on the steps the industry takes to protect defaulted and foreclosed properties across the country. Bringing HOAs Up to Speed Municipalities, like HOAs, were once 68 unaware of the role field service companies from debris left from the homeowner. If hazardous debris is not removed, it can create a pest infestation that can spread to other units. It is in the best interest of both the servicer, who tries to protect the condition and value of the property, and the HOA, which needs to protect other residents, to keep the property in the best condition possible. It is critical the servicing industry, through its field service partners, continue to reach out to educate and engage HOAs as partners. Many field service companies travel around the country on behalf of their servicing clients to educate municipalities on the work they do. The same should be done with HOAs because education is an important step to building a partnership. Partnering with Communication To initiate a relationship, the servicing industry needs to identify or create a national database of HOAs, similar to the matrix cre- ated for vacant property registrations (VPRs) Replicating Collaboration For several years, field service companies and the servicing industry have reached out to build relationships with municipalities to reduce code violations. In a similar way, the industry must forge partnerships with HOAs to protect vacant condominium units. Establishing a good, working relationship is critical to both. With HUD requiring all HOA fees to be paid prior to conveyance, it is now the responsibility of the servicing industry along with its field servicing partners to estab- lish a system to address issues with commu- nication and to educate HOAs on their goals for these defaulted homes. Preserving and maintaining properties is the desired result— something on which everyone can agree. Kellie Chambers is assistant VP of property preservation for Safeguard Properties. She leads the company's property preservation operations and client account representative teams, overseeing all aspects of Safeguard's property preservation service line, including order entry, client relations, regional coordination, and operations.

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