I find myself in somewhat the same circumstances as the original poster. A smaller community 130 apts over 30 years old. It has a stellar location, good crime reputation, and with the exception of few looks typical as an older mature community. Some residents have been on property over 10 years. Largely retired residents but the demographics are changing with a fresh stream of professionals moving in. They desire to see the curb appeal updated and refreshed . They also are being "trained at move in" on the community rules. Former managers did not enforce the community polices regarding patio compliance, or common areas/yards around the patio. Residents have planted all manner of plant materials in beds, made beds, placed statues,bird baths, vegetable gardens etc..installed brick pavers to extend the patio and make walks ( not installed professionally), garden fencing etc.. then there is the gas grill removal causing angst.They tell my landscapers not to touch their yards or trim plants in common areas because they planted them. Some of the mowers can not get around potted plants they have placed in the yard.
As the new manager, I gave it over three months before I started with an initiative to get residents to clean-up their patio to the standards of the lease. I started with a pressure washing and repainting concrete patios initiative and cleaning up trees, gutters, updating signage etc..Some residents are refusing to participate and these are the ones who have taken over the yards as well, claiming they have lived this way for years. Two questions : What do you say to a resident "why did your other managers fail to uphold lease?" and Why are you enforcing things now? after all these years?... How can you change or enforce these rules now when for the last three leases nobody else had a problem with my grill or potted plants out in the yard? In fact former managers apparently told them they make themselves at home and had patio contests to encourage gardening. None of these were sanctioned by corporate and happen without their involvement.
While I state that previous managers failed to enforce the rules it reflects poorly on the management company for being inconsistent in management of the property but how can you advert this? Well after you leave the next manager may be more lenient like the last two. I can 7 day but I was looking for ways to get buy-in even from my grumpy seniors who see no problem with their personal gardening items all over the common areas and maintaining "their" yards or plants. Can you take back the property successfully when they have run the show for so long? Someday I suppose we will need to restore the original landscaping of basic grassy yards and deal with pavers that have altered building drainage...its just a big challenge to whip this community back into a professionally managed community where all the resident abide by the lease and addendum's.