You may be a member of a community association but not be familiar with all of the positions and responsibilities of each board member. Maybe you haven’t ever thought about who does what and who is responsible for different things within your community association board, but each member has a distinct role. If you want […]
Tips to Avoid Common Board Member Mistakes
Serving on the board of a homeowners association can be a fulfilling experience. Many members enjoy being active volunteer leaders, assisting neighbors regarding association matters, and getting to know their community better. Read the article………………………
Beware the Heavy Hand: HOA board members and property managers can be personally liable for damages
Recently, a Federal District Court in Nevada made clear that homeowners associations, their boards of directors, and their management companies should ensure that their actions and omissions are reasonable, even when dealing with residents that may not be acting in good faith. This article summarizes a case where an HOA initially prevailed in the face […]
Mitigating Risk: How Lawsuits Affect an HOA
Accompanying the duties of board membership, liability proves a slippery slope that could appear complicated and overwhelming if you find yourself facing a potential lawsuit. Liability often lingers in the guise of fine print. However, equipping yourself and your board with the right tools can help prepare for unprecedented situations. Read the article………………………..
Don’t hire members for work on homeowner association projects (MI)
Q: We hired a maintenance person for our homeowners association who was also an owner in our subdivision. We had to terminate him, and he is creating all kinds of problems for us. How do we deal with it? Read the Q&A……………………………
How to Deal With an HOA Conflict of Interest
HOA board members are bound by a code of ethics to put the interests of their associations ahead of their own. They have a fiduciary duty to the community and its covenants, as do property managers. Conflicts of interest between board members, property managers, and vendors – or even the appearance of conflicts of interest […]
Preventing Board Burnout: How to Keep Volunteers Happy and Engaged
Serving on an HOA board comes with a lot of responsibility. Board members must balance their time with their home and work obligations. Many board members willingly volunteer for the task and they are eager to contribute to the good of the cause. That enthusiasm and passion can quickly disappear when they start to feel […]
Can Board Members be Sued
Board members can be sued personally but only within specific parameters. Even though board members have a fair amount of protection under the law, it is a fairly common occurrence in Florida for board members to be brought into lawsuits as direct defendants. While those types of lawsuits generally are not successful, the association should […]
What your condo board can and can’t do without homeowner approval
Q: I live in a townhouse community. Our association’s board of directors is redoing our declaration and bylaws without approval of the owners. They say they are just bringing the language up to date, so they don’t need the owners’ and mortgage holders’ approval. Read the Q&A…………………………..
New directors must sign the form or go to class (FL)
Last month we talked about what owners must do to run for the board in a Condominium or Homeowners” Association. This month we will discuss what document a newly elected or appointed director in a Condominium Association, Cooperative Association, or Homeowners’ Association must sign to be in compliance with State Law requirements. Read the article…………………………
Board members doing legal work for homeowner’s association may be unauthorized (FL)
Q: I live in a deed-restricted community governed by a homeowner’s association. The board has compiled a set of modifications to the deed restrictions and has emailed a new deed restriction document, with the new rules in red text, to all lot owners. This is the first time everyone has seen the proposed changes. Read […]
HOA Homefront: New Year’s resolutions for HOA directors (CA)
Many of us start the new year with commitments to improve, so why leave out the HOA? This four-part series suggests resolutions for association directors, homeowners, managers and service providers. Readd the article……………………………
New Year means new resolutions for associations, owners (VA)
With 2019 ending soon, many people are making resolutions to make a change or start something new. Community associations and their residents should not be the exception. Here are just a few suggestions for resolutions to make 2020 a more positive and successful year for your community. Read the article…………………………
7 Key Things That Should Be on Your HOA Vision Board In 2020
2020 is approaching and if your board has not had your end of year meeting or planning meeting for next year, these 7 items should be factored into your agenda planning meeting. Read the article……………………………
Back to Basics
There are articles every month covering community association issues, which you can find from a plethora of sources. This magazine, other similar magazines, national magazines, newspaper articles, everyone’s favorite blog, attorney resources, Internet, etc. Most of these articles deal with specific issues, such as short term rentals, or emotional support animals, or the latest case […]
Inequity of Scale – The Challenge of Leading and Managing Small Condominium Associations
Association Bridge was formed in large part due to my experience teaching CAI’s old “Essentials” program for community association volunteer leaders. Ken Ingram of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston and I were tapped to teach the full day program for a few years at Reston Association. RA member associations are typically very small communities known as […]
Disengagement & Pet Topics: Handling Two Common Issues With Board Members
People all come with their own set of biases, opinions, and circumstances. So while each HOA board might have a slightly different list of common issues, these can often boil down to a handful of basic human tendencies. We’ll address two of them in this article. Read the article………………………
How to Keep Your Community Thriving in the Event of a Recession
The duty of a homeowner’s association is to provide stability to the community of homeowners you oversee. Traditionally, this has meant creating community rules, managing a budget for maintenance, and providing an overall positive community environment. In the event of a recession, an HOA can provide much needed structure and stability to a community. Having […]
10 Ways To Thank a Volunteer, With Little (or No) Budget
Volunteers who serve your HOA board – or provide any other free service for the homeowners association – deserve thanks and gratitude for the invaluable role they play in the HOA. Trouble is, there’s often not an unlimited budget available to throw huge parties or special events. Read the article…………………………
Code of Conduct
A Code of Conduct describes the expectations of board members during, and in some cases after, their service to the community. While many of the issues addressed are already codified by Arizona law, adoption of a written, signed Code of Conduct provides a tangible framework for board members to reference and follow in furtherance of […]
How to Keep Your Community Association Free From Any Conflicts of Interest
Conflict of interest is a real threat to your HOA’s integrity and reputation. As a board member of a community association, you should understand what this means, and how to recognize and avoid it. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to keep your community association from possible conflicts of interest. […]
Removal of an Officer vs. Removal of a Board Member of a Community Association (NC/SC)
Removal issues are almost always sensitive and highly charged emotional issues. It is important that the of directors follows the required process correctly and seeks legal guidance when necessary. If your board directors has questions regarding removal of an officer or removal of a board member, please contact one of our community association attorneys here at […]
What Every Board Member Should Know About Financial Reports
Managing and overseeing an association’s finances is one of the board’s most important responsibilities. To successfully fulfill this duty and sustain the financial well-being of your community, you must understand financial reports and their importance to the success of your association. Read on to learn everything you need to know about financial reports. Read the […]
HOA Homefront: What to look for in resume for president
The office of a homeowners association president is important but sometimes misunderstood. In most associations, presidents are selected by board vote (in an open meeting). Here are some ideas as to what to look for in the HOA’s next president. Read the article………………………..
Community Association Board Mistakes: How to Avoid Them
Community association boards are bound to face many difficult decisions in the course of their work. Conflicts between individual owners and the board, financial hardships, unexpected disasters: there are many points where decisions need to be made, and a good board want to make choices that will benefit the entire community, not just a few […]
10 Signs You’re Cut Out for the HOA Board
Board members are elected officials who are responsible for an association’s affairs and running the community. This responsibility isn’t a small matter, and the board of directors can make the difference between the community’s success or failure. The following are 10 signs that you’re cut out to be the newest member of your HOA board. […]
Three Easy Pieces of Advice That Lead to Good Governance (NY)
Everyone talks about good governance, but when it comes to co-ops and condos, what does that actually mean? We break it down into three sections. There’s the fiduciary part, meaning that the board should always put the co-op or condo’s best interests before anybody else’s, including their own. Second is the actual operation of the […]
How To Handle Bullies On Your HOA Board
A homeowner’s association (HOA) can accomplish great things with the right people sitting on the board. However, bullies can often be the clog that hinders a well-oiled machine from performing effectively. A board bully can be annoying. They often belittle other members’ proposals and forcefully push their own. If you are reading this, there is […]
How to cope with a misbehaving HOA board member
As a volunteer director on a board of a homeowners association, I imagine one has already been exposed to wild situations, and depending on one’s tenure, a director may have already grown accustomed to misbehaving homeowners. Read the article……………………….
What’s in Your Board Member Toolbox?
Serving as a board member of a homeowners association (HOA) can be an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience. That said, it is serious business as there are of responsibilities associated with protecting a community’s assets and making it a great place to live. Read the article…………………………
How can I tell if a co-op or condo board member has a conflict of interest—and what can I do about it? (NY)
Co-op and condo board politics can get heated, but actual conflicts of interest are few and far between. “There’s a conflict of interest when, and only when, a board member has a pecuniary interest in the issue on which the board has to decide,” says real estate attorney Ian Brandt, a partner at the Manhattan […]
Dealing with Bullies in your HOA: How to Put a Stop to Destructive Behavior
A thriving HOA board is one comprised of members focused on doing what is best for the association. All it takes for disruption and sometimes, total chaos, is one board member who exhibits bullying behavior toward others. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines bullying as, “to treat someone in a cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive fashion.” […]
Who Said What?” Board Officers Should be Careful how They Handle Their Official vs. Personal Communications to Members – Part I (FL)
There is no doubt that technology has significantly improved the way communities and neighbors interact and communicate with one another. The sheer number of social media applications and web-based platforms available to individuals and community associations make it easy for information (and misinformation) to be disseminated quickly among hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals in […]
When Construction Occurs Next Door, Your Board Needs to Get Involved Early! (FL)
It’s likely that at some point during your community’s lifespan, new construction will occur nearby and the impact on your residents will vary both short and long-term depending on the steps your Board takes early in the process. Sometimes new construction is welcomed enthusiastically by the members of an established community but more often than […]
The 5 Essential HOA Board Member Skills to Have
Whether you’ve served your association for several years, or were recently elected, it doesn’t take long to realize that board members need a variety of skills. Developing these various abilities allows associations to run optimally. Below are five skills that will help board members lead their teams effectively: Read the article……………………..
Be flexible: Steps for effective and consistent board governance
Community associations have rules and regulations to provide certainty, order, and safety. Regardless of size or shape, every community association should strive to enforce its rules properly. And if they’re necessary and reasonable, they promote community harmony. Read the article………………………
Responsibilities of HOA Board Members
Volunteering to be on the board of your HOA is an important position that comes with a lot of responsibility. The board is tasked with making sure the community is running well and following the requirements of the governing documents. They solve problems and conflicts, handle the community’s budget, oversee maintenance and repairs, and much […]
How to Handle Board Member Bullies
Some board members ought to come with mute buttons or protective gear for the rest of the board. They are the bullies. While most board members find ways to work together and settle agreements in a civil fashion, a few offer discord and intimidation. Bullies come in all varieties: the Get-a-Life types, the Intimidators, the […]
HOA Homefront Q&A: Can a board deny members the right to sue?
Q: Our board instituted an ethics policy for all directors and committee members. The first requirement is that all nominees for directors sign a confidentiality promise and promise they will never sue the board. If a board member does something wrong, illegal or unethical, how can we get relief if we sign away our rights […]
The Most Common HOA Board Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Joining your HOA board is a great way to take more responsibility. However, many new HOA board members will make mistakes, ranging from minor to serious. The board itself often runs into errors, especially in areas such as rule enforcement. Here are some of the most common HOA board mistakes and some things you can […]
Abraham Lincoln, President of – the Community Association?
President of the Neighborhood Homeowners Association. President of the Condominium. The President of the United States of America. One of these things is not like the other. Or is it? The title is the same. The election process and democratic nature are…. similar? Perhaps there is something to be learned from what makes a successful […]
HOA Homefront: 8 tips to fill open board seats
Filling open HOA board seats is a vexing and discouraging problem for some associations. However, there may be some reasons why neighbors are not interested in serving. Could any of the below describe your association? Read the article…………………………..
Agency Law and Your HOA or Small Business (NC)
“If a singular board member of an HOA incorrectly tells an owner that a requested fence installation is approved, does it bind the HOA? I recently had a board member tell an owner he was approved incorrectly.” Seems simple, right? If an architectural review request did not go through the right procedure and was not […]
Top 10 ways for Community Association Boards to Increase Effectiveness and Productivity
Are you feeling overwhelmed and overworked as a board member of a community association? Do you feel underpaid? Do you feel like there is not enough time to address the never-ending issues that keep popping up within your community? Do you wish there was a way to become more productive and spend less time as […]
Can both spouses continue to serve on the board? (FL)
Q: My condominium association’s board is comprised of 8 board members, with directors serving 2-year terms. At the 2018 Annual Meeting there were four persons who submitted their notice of intent to run for the board, including a husband and wife who jointly own one unit. Since there was no election these four persons became […]
What did you get yourself into? Top ten tips for new directors
I’m often asked to give advice to new directors, especially first time directors. It is a difficult question to answer because the advice depends on a number of factors, such as the experience level of the director, whether or not the condominium has a manager, and the age of the condominium. In hopes of reducing […]
The Complete Guide to HOA Financial Statements
Managing the finances of a community association is one of the most difficult, and most important, responsibilities of an HOA board of directors. Preparing detailed HOA Financial Statements on a regular basis serves a multitude of purposes from providing insight for financial planning, promoting transparency between the board and residents, as well as being a […]
HOA Homefront: Transparency – Great for windows (HOA boards too)
Nothing should be more important to volunteer boards than the trust of their neighbors. However, trust is not automatic and can be easily destroyed. Making good decisions for the association’s best interests is not enough. Decisions must be made in a manner which is above reproach and displays integrity and openness. Read the article………………………..
Hostile Environment Harassment
In some cases, an Association is justified in taking a hands-off approach to resident against resident complaints. This is not one of them. In fact, an Association has certain affirmative obligations to address hostile environment harassment, not only by its own members or agents, but also by third parties (residents) if it knew or should […]
Why are HOA Volunteer Board Members Sued?
Volunteer board members are often baffled and incredulous when someone challenges or complains about a decision they made, a rule they changed, or a special assessment that was issued. The underlying problem here is unit owners not reading the governing documents they have agreed to comply with prior to purchasing their home in a homeowners […]