If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, there is a good chance you have seen one of these letters, or your neighbor has. Notices about mildew on the house, black streaks on the roof or a stained driveway are some of the most common ones we hear about, especially in St. Johns, Nocatee and the newer communities around Ponte Vedra.
The good news is they are usually easy to clear.
Step 1: Read the notice carefully
Look for three things: exactly what they want cleaned, the deadline, and whether you need to send proof when it is done. Some letters name one surface, like the roof. Others list everything on the front of the house.
Step 2: Take your own photos
Photograph the areas mentioned in the letter. They will help you get a quote quickly, and you will want before and after photos if the HOA asks for proof.
Step 3: Get it scheduled before the deadline
Most deadlines are a few weeks out, but cleaning companies get busy, especially in spring. Reach out early. If you send us the photos and the deadline, we will tell you right away whether we can fit it in and what it will cost.
If the deadline is too tight, a quick call to the management company asking for a short extension because a cleaning is already booked usually goes a long way.
Step 4: Clean everything they listed, the right way
- Siding, stucco and soffits: soft washed, not blasted
- Roof streaks: soft washed with a roof-safe solution
- Driveway and sidewalk: pressure cleaned with a surface cleaner so it comes out even
- Pavers: cleaned, and sealed if the HOA cares about joint sand and weeds
Doing it all in one visit is usually cheaper than one surface at a time, and it keeps the next letter from showing up for a different area.
Step 5: Keep the proof
Save your receipt and take after photos from the same spots as your before photos. Reply to the HOA with both if they asked for confirmation.
How to avoid the next letter
Most of these notices come from growth that built up over a year or two. A yearly house and driveway wash keeps you ahead of it. Our post on how often to pressure wash your house covers a simple schedule.
Got a letter now?
Send us a photo of the notice and the areas it mentions, with your deadline. We work in St. Johns, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach and across Jacksonville.
Want a price for your property? Send a few photos and we will reply, usually within 24 hours.
