Movies and music provide immense amounts of joy and entertainment to people all over the world. Collectively, the movie and music industries are worth upwards of twelve figures in revenue in a single year (for those of you counting the zeros on your hands at home . . . that’s north of $100,000,000,000.00 a year!). […]
How to Effectively Handle and Avoid Most Negative News Coverage as an Arizona HOA
Whenever you see a story on the news about an HOA, the odds of it being positive are low. As a board member of an HOA in Arizona, your instinct kicks in, and you want to know what they are doing wrong. So, you jump on your laptop, conduct research on HOA Arizona bylaws or […]
Important Takeaways for Community Associations from TV News Report on Rules Enforcement (FL)
A report that aired in late November on 7News (WSVN-Fox) in South Florida focused on a local renter in a dispute with her condominium association over her motorcycle. While the property’s rules ban motorcycles, the tenant had apparently been explicitly told she would be allowed to keep and park her motorcycle at the property prior […]
Homeowners’ group apologizes after calling Alabama child’s sidewalk art ‘unsightly’
A Riverchase mother is speaking out after her young daughter’s encouraging message left in chalk on the sidewalk was met with assertions that they were defacing the neighborhood and lowering property values…….Shortly after this article published, Seaton received an apology call from the president of the association. Read the article…………………………..
8 On Your Side gets results for Temple Terrace homeowner frustrated with flooding (FL)
8 On Your Side Investigates is getting results for a homeowner who has been dealing with flooding outside his Temple Terrace home since May. Ahmad Salamat is fed up and worn out. He turned to 8 On Your Side for help after he says the property manager stopped returning his calls. Read the article………………………..
Facing the press: Strategies to manage media coverage of community associations
Frequent headline-grabbing coverage of community associations can cast a bad light on communities that are well-run and consist of hard-working volunteers and professional managers. With social media, it doesn’t take long for a negative message to get out, or a crisis to happen. Read the article………………………
5 Things Your HOA Board Must Do When the Media Calls
From time to time your board may receive requests to speak to the media about things happening in or around your community. While we encourage boards to work with their professional management company and their qualified legal counsel during any media crisis, here are some best practices to help your community prepare for media inquiries. […]
Takeaways from HOA’s Handling of “Parkland Strong” Yard Sign Controversy (FL)
In the aftermath of one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history, the residents of Parkland in Broward County have taken pride in the resilience and unity that they have demonstrated as a community. Memorials and messages of support were placed throughout the neighborhoods and enclaves surrounding Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and signs […]
Handling Bad Press Within an HOA Community
Despite your board’s best efforts and intentions, the reality of bad press is something you should take seriously. While it may never happen to your community, your board needs to be proactive and develop a crisis communication plan. While we really encourage your board to work with an association management company and qualified legal counsel […]
When Things Go Bad – Dealing With the Press
In Associations sometimes things go bad. Despite all of the very best intentions and efforts someone gets hurt or is rightfully offended. Worse yet, at times the press because of either the newsworthiness of the story or a relationship between the reporter and the allegedly aggrieved party, decides to become involved. In those instances you […]
Always the same old HOA news
When there’s news about HOAs on TV or in newspapers, it’s mostly the same old news over and over again. Someone puts up a flag, changes something on their home, has hens, roosters or pigs on their property, maybe playground equipment. Things like that. If reporters happen to call, what happens? Lots of scrambling around, […]
Rehabilitating the HOA Image One Person, One Deed, and One Community at a Time
So last month I was at the doctor’s office, and as I was making small talk with the nurse she asked “So what do you do?” I responded “I’m an HOA attorney.” She actually grimaced. It was a clear knee-jerk reaction. And then she laughed, said sorry, and made some comment about her friend’s trash […]
Fact book an eye-opener on community associations
A community association is a popular lifestyle choice for many people, but it has been difficult to determine just how many — until now. A new body of research, the “Community Association Fact Book,” tallies the numbers of associations, housing units, residents and property values for the country and each state. It was published by […]
How to avoid becoming a headline – or successfully dealing with it if you do
As you know, from time to time, HOAs end up in the news for perceived abuses to residents of an association or to question actions taken by the board or management. While the allegations in the news coverage may or may not be true, it’s rare to see a flattering story about an HOA. As […]
Before You Start Pointing Fingers….
I recently read an article where a homeowner was upset about her condominium association initiating foreclosure proceedings against her for her failure to pay her assessments. While people may read this article and feel sorry for the homeowner, one should keep in mind that the homeowner failed to appear at court to protect her interests […]
Dealing with the Media
I have a Google Alert set up which gives me a daily report of internet posts and media coverage anytime an association is involved. I see, on average, 10-15 stories a day. As a result, planning for your association to receive media attention is something every manager and board members should do. Read More…… (PDF)
A Reporter Calls: Part 1
First things first: Get the full name of the reporter and get his or her phone number and e-mail address. Make sure you identify the news outlet. Be friendly and respectful. Don’t convey a tone that indicates defensiveness, anger or guilt. Ask: What’s your deadline? What’s the story about? Don’t hesitate to probe if the […]
Using the military or veteran card in HOA disagreements
One of the favorite news stories that the media likes to run (and run and run and run…) is anything that has to do with an HOA/condo and someone who is in the military, has a family member currently serving in the military or is a veteran. This usually has to do with flags or symbols that […]