HOA Pool - any successful ways to keep out non-residents? UPDATE post 23

[lecach]

We live in a fairly new neighborhood. Most people have lived there no more than a year so we dont really know each other. The pool is paid for with our HOA dues. We have a 4 digit code to get in to the pool. There are several older neighborhoods adjacent to ours that do not have pools. Somehow several kids from these neighborhoods have figured out the code. The other day there were 8 kids (approx. ages 10-14) in the pool that did not have adult supervision and I know for a fact do not live in our neighborhood. At first it didnt bug me too much. Even though there are non-residents in there every single day. But then someone pointed out that its not fair since we pay for it. And if one of them gets hurt, what happens then?

But other than the code, and knowing our neighbors, how can we stop it? I'm not going to confront them - who knows what they could do. Does anyone belong to this type of pool have any good ideas? I thought maybe a swipe card, like large corporations use for security. Any other ideas? I've emailed the HOA about it, and others have too, but I would like to have suggestions to offer and not just complaints.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Does your pool have lifeguards?

Ours does and we all have pool passes which must be shown to the lifeguard on duty as you enter. No pass, no entry.

 

[pearlieq]

Does your pool have lifeguards?

Ours does and we all have pool passes which must be shown to the lifeguard on duty as you enter. No pass, no entry.

That's exactly how ours used to work, and I thought it was great.

Now we've also got to carry swipe cards AND a photo ID. Who wants to pack up their driver's license and take it to the pool? But I guess you can never underestimate the ingenuity of someone who wants to crash a pool!

 

[UMTerp]

Each family at our pool has a card on file. You tell the lifeguard at the front desk what your name is and they move your card to another box.

Hope you can find a solution.

UMTerp

 

[lecach]

No lifeguard. The neighborhood isn't huge, and the cost of a lifeguard would probably make our HOA dues go up. But if it's necessary, so be it.

 

[oxfordcircus]

We have a small pool with no lifeguard. Our access is by key - one that you get when you pay your dues. However, we still get extra guests in the pool because people fail to close the gate.

 

[ChristmasElf]

It would be worth it to up the HOA dues a few bucks a family to help pay for a lifeguard. The lifeguard could then check to make sure the people that live there are the only ones that can swim in the pool.

Bring it up at the next meeting. Mention the fact that if a kid from another neighborhood were to drown or get hurt, it would affect ALL of YOUR neighborhood.

 

[CEDmom]

I'm guessing there isn't a life guard to check badges. To me that's opening up a liability issue but that's another thread.

Anyway, I'd call the HOA management office when you see people there and then call the police. They're trespassing, plain and simple.

I'd also recommend your HOA get a key card access rather than a code.

 

[Honu]

Our HOA gives every household one laminated id card on one of those colorful springy wristband keychains. You have to have it with you at the pool or gym.

 

[lecach]

Great ideas everyone. I'll definately mention it to the HOA. I just feel so mean for complaining. These kids are low income and have no where else to swim. I can't really blaming them for wanting to use our pool.

 

[GatorGal]

Have you brought it up with the other homeowners with the association? This could be a huge liablity for the association should there be an accident. Who knows if the kids parents even know the kids are swimming unsupervised.

If the other homeowners agree that something should be done, try getting some special towels...I got some yellow and white beach towels once that were kind of gaudy...and you must have the towel with you, kind of like a code...if someone comes to the pool without the ugly towel, the other people will know that they aren't homeowners and could be confronted and made to leave. You could have a cell phone handy and threaten to call the police and have them forced to leave or charged with tresspassing.

Also, make sure you have signs stating that there is no lifeguard on duty, swimmers do so at their own risk, and that only homeowners and their guests are allowed to use the pool.

This really could be a huge liability for the association. If someone were to drown, a lawsuit would most certainly drive your fees up.

HTH

 

[MareQ]

We live in a private lake community - so no general pool - but 3 private beaches, 2 private boat ramps, 2 private tennis courts,3 private ball fields,4 parks, 2 picnic areas with grills etc you get the picture.

For the beach - we have beach tags - every adult must have a beach tag and each adult can bring 3 guests. We have to pay for extra beach badges if we want extra people and badges are checked by the lifeguards at each of our 3 beaches.

For all other areas - we have a swipe card and access to those areas is unlimited. The swipe cards and beach badges are replaced every year and only given to members in good standing (IE those that have paid their annual dues in full and on time.)

 

[oxfordcircus]

I just feel so mean for complaining. These kids are low income and have no where else to swim. I can't really blaming them for wanting to use our pool.

Y'all don't have municipal pools or a YMCA in Durham?

 

[lecach]

Y'all don't have municipal pools or a YMCA in Durham?

There is a Y but it's not very closeby. To get to the closest one you'd have to take several different busses. There is no other pool in walking or biking distance that can be used by non-residents legally. There is a pool a few miles away that anyone can join but it's very very expensive.

 

[5Slays]

We have a small pool with no lifeguard. Our access is by key - one that you get when you pay your dues. However, we still get extra guests in the pool because people fail to close the gate.

You might live in my IL's subdivision. Their's is very small and we only go with them. The gate at their pool was broken for a short time last summer so there were tons of kids, unsupervised, around.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

At our cottage, we have lake access, everyone has a key to the gate.

Of course its out in the middle of no where so I dont think anyone that didnt have a place there would be there.

 

[dreamcometrue]

we have a HOA pool too. It's gated, and you need a key to access it. Sometimes the gate is unlocked but there is security and you HAVE to at least carry the tags they issue. You get a different tag every year, so they know you are up to date on your fees!

 

[r3ngels]

We have tags that have pins that need be on the suits at all times... adult have one color and kids another.

The family can get up to 4 guests passes for the season too. We do have a lifeguard and they check the passes every hour.

What about having an adult pool commitee and they can be in charge of checking the tags?

 

[mmcguire]

We had regular keys, but some of the neighborhood kids made copies for their friends, who ultimately vandalized our pool house. Last summer, the HOA installed a swipe-card system on the pool house door and put a padlock on the outside gate that only the HOA president and my DH have the combination for. The gate is now only used for deliveries/pool maintence, and homeowners have to enter through the pool house now.

The cards can't be copied, and only per family was issued, so the kids can't loan them out to their buds, or their whole family won't be able to get in. There's also a $25 replacement fee if you lose a card (to deter people from "losing" it to a friend), plus they will deactivate any reported lost/stolen, or for people who don't pay their dues.

 

[KTSMOM]

We have one key per family. The key states on it that you can't make a copy so it can't be taken to the local hardware store for a duplicate. Also, you have to use the key to get in and out. So if some kids were to walk in behind you they would have to make sure they walked out with someone else, otherwise they would be stuck. Also, we have a sign in book that is manned by someone, but from what I can tell, only on the weekends, and she doesn't really seem to care who signs in/out.