HOA Boards: Are You Liable for Community Safety Failures?

Most HOA boards think security is a “nice-to-have.” Until something happens. A break-in. An assault. A fatal delay in emergency response. And suddenly, that board is facing lawsuits, media scrutiny, and angry residents asking: “Why didn’t you prepare?”

Let’s be clear: If you’re part of a homeowners association, you do have a duty to provide a reasonable standard of care. Failing to assess risk, ignoring known issues, or implementing half-baked safety measures could leave your board—and your members—exposed to liability.

What Counts as a “Reasonable Standard of Care”?

Courts aren’t asking for perfection. But they are asking: “Did the HOA act in a responsible, proactive manner to prevent foreseeable harm?”

You don’t need a private army or a million-dollar camera system. But you do need:

• A documented safety policy

• Routine risk assessments

• Properly trained security personnel (if employed)

• Reasonable access control procedures

• Incident documentation and response protocols

Fail to implement the basics, and your HOA may be viewed as negligent.

Real Liability Scenarios TXG Has Seen

• Assault in an unlit common area — HOA knew lighting was out but didn’t fix it

• Gate left open during multiple thefts — access control failure was reported but ignored

• Untrained guard escalated a verbal dispute — resulting in physical injury and a lawsuit

• No emergency plan during a fire — delayed resident response, preventable damage

• Known stalker allowed re-entry — HOA didn’t update resident “watch list” procedures

In all cases, the HOA didn’t directly cause the incident—but their failure to act became part of the legal problem.

What Your HOA Should Be Doing Right Now

If your board isn’t actively addressing safety, you’re betting the community’s assets—and your own personal liability—on blind luck.

TXG recommends the following immediate actions:

✅ Conduct a formal risk assessment – Document vulnerabilities and fix what’s within your control

✅ Establish or update your safety policies – Include access control, incident response, and emergency protocols

✅ Vet and train all third-party vendors – Especially gate attendants, patrol services, and maintenance staff

✅ Create a resident communication plan – Clarity builds trust and shows leadership

✅ Consult legal and insurance professionals – Ensure your coverage aligns with your exposure

The TXG Advantage: Prevention with Precision

We don’t just help you respond—we help you prevent. TXG specializes in residential security planning that meets legal expectations without turning your neighborhood into a war zone.

We work with HOA boards, property managers, and legal advisors to:

• Identify liability landmines

• Build real-world safety plans

• Train your people to lead—not just react

• Document everything to prove due diligence

Final Word

If you’re serving on an HOA board, you’re not just managing property—you’re managing risk.

Failing to act on safety is more than negligence—it’s exposure. TXG can help your board get ahead of the headlines, the lawsuits, and the “what ifs.”

Let’s protect your community—and your leadership—before something breaks.