In the complex realm of managing condominium and homeowner associations, disputes with contractors and other critical business decisions can unexpectedly arise. Successful navigation through these challenges requires proactive measures, clear communication, and careful decision-making. In this guide, we explore how to handle dispute settlements, important business choices, and the significance of release agreements for associations. […]
Why might a resident take your HOA to court? (CT)
Running a homeowners association (HOA) can be incredibly challenging at times. Residents won’t always agree with everything you do, despite you doing them to protect the interests of the HOA and the residents in general. Dealing with a legal challenge from one or more residents can be frustrating, time-consuming and costly for an HOA. Understanding […]
How To Effectively Handle Conflict in Your Community
When people live in a community, there is bound to be occasional conflict. Homeowners associations (HOAs) and Condominium associations are no different. Conflicts may arise between homeowners or between the board and homeowners. No matter the reason for the conflict, how you handle it will greatly affect the atmosphere and overall well-being of your community. […]
How to Oust Your Condo Board or HOA
Close to 30% of Americans live in a property governed by a condo board, homeowners association (HOA), or other community association—more than 70 million people. These associations are generally responsible for property upkeep, enforcement of community rules, and acting as a go-between for residents when disputes arise. Most people have a good or at least […]
Conflict Management How to Handle When Things Get Out of Hand (NV)
Living in close quarters can—and often does—lead to conflict. In co-op, condo, and HOA communities, conflict can occur between residents, or between a resident and the board. And to complicate matters, a seemingly isolated conflict between residents may spill over to become a conflict between resident(s) and the board. What’s the key to resolving differences? […]
Dealing with Difficult Owners in an Association
Living in a community can offer many benefits, such as shared amenities and a sense of community. However, associations come with their own set of challenges, particularly when dealing with difficult owners. Whether it’s disagreements over rules and regulations, or disruptive behavior, addressing these issues requires a delicate balance of assertiveness, diplomacy, and adherence to […]
Here Is How To Handle a Homeowners Association Dispute the Right Way
People seem to have a love/hate relationship with Homeowners Associations, or HOAs. Some love them, while others will never live in another HOA community again. Disagreements and disputes can arise between residents and the HOA, causing tension among residents. And these tensions can be stressful. And sometimes, they can drastically increase the cost of homeownership. […]
Condo, Coop, HOA Board vs. Dissidents – Navigating Contentious Times
In the intricate realm of community associations, addressing the process of compelling a vote to remove a board is a crucial but often overlooked aspect. One of the primary challenges arises when the sitting board refrains from calling a special meeting, necessitating potential litigation funded personally by the owners or shareholders. Read the article…………………………….
Avoiding and Mitigating Owner Disputes in Community Associations (FL)
With neighbors living in close proximity to each other, all mutually bound by set rules and edicts, communities with associations are oftentimes fertile ground for spats and disputes. The best boards of directors and property managers understand that disputes between owners may arise from time to time and should strive to settle them as reasonably […]
What falls under the authority of an HOA? (FL)
When you move into a community with a homeowners’ association, you must agree to adhere to the terms of the neighborhood covenant. Each HOA is different, and the specific rules that may apply to you depend on your individual community. Read the article…………………………..
Charlotte HOA member learned the hard way: Fighting back can be a long, costly battle (NC)
Jennifer Jackson has survived cervical cancer. But not even that diagnosis — or the year of intensive radiation and chemotherapy that followed — caused as much distress as her long-running dispute with her https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/charlotte-hoa-member-learned-hard-110000422.html
Australia: Resolving Ripples: The Art of Diplomacy in Strata Disputes
In the tapestry of communal living, disagreements are like ripples on the surface of a tranquil pond. Strata living, with its shared spaces and interconnected lifestyles, often witnesses the emergence of disputes, creating waves that can either disrupt harmony or be skillfully navigated to maintain equilibrium. Welcome to the realm of “Resolving Ripples,” where the […]
Australia: Dispute resolution in strata communities: strategies for keeping the peace
We all need somewhere to live – housing is a fundamental human right. Rent, own or share housing – all are valid and reasonable ways to live. For those looking to buy on a budget, a strata community such as an apartment block, unit or townhouse development can be a great way to break into […]
HOA Responsibility For Neighbor-To-Neighbor Disputes & Harassment
Getting involved when residents in your association are having a dispute can be tricky territory. On one hand, you don’t want to meddle in their lives. On the other hand, regulations from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) make community associations liable for taking prompt action to […]
How To Handle Neighbor Disputes In A Fair Manner
Whenever a group of people live near each other, disputes are bound to occur. Even if your community is a peaceful one, sometimes neighbors have issues with each other. However, if your Board knows how to manage neighbor disputes fairly, they do not have to escalate into an out-of-control situation. Read the article…………………………..
Conflict Mitigation: When Someone Crosses the Legal Line
Community association leaders—boards and professional managers– were never given the memo that their job descriptions changed. Historically, much of the time invested in managing a community was directed towards fiscal management, fund handling, planning for and replacing infrastructure, and performing ongoing maintenance. Read the article………………………………
How to do battle with your homeowners association
Homeowners’ Associations, also known as HOAs, are often necessary and helpful — especially in multi-unit dwellings or communities with a lot of common areas — but if you poll your neighbors about whether they enjoy living in one, you’ll likely receive mixed reviews. Read the article……………………………….
What You Need to Know About Handling Conflicts of Interest on Your Michigan Condo Board
A condominium association is governed by its board of directors. In Michigan, it is common that members of a board of directors are uncompensated volunteers. It is also common that co-owners elect board members who have a particular set of skills or knowledge relevant to running a condominium, whether that be knowledge of accounting, construction, […]
How To Effectively File A Complaint To Make Sure HOA, Co-Op Board, Or Landlord Listens
Making a complaint to your HOA, co-op board, or landlord can be frustrating because you can’t ever be sure they will actually listen to you. Sometimes, the complaint process can be worse than the problem itself. We’ve all dealt with the nightmare of noisy neighbors, the random rent increases that mess with our budgets, or […]
Conflict Management: How to Handle When Things Get Out of Hand (FL)
Living in close quarters can—and often does—lead to conflict. In co-op, condo, and HOA communities, conflict can occur between residents, or between a resident and the board. And to complicate matters, a seemingly isolated conflict between residents may spill over to become a conflict between resident(s) and the board. What’s the key to resolving differences? […]
How To Deal With The Rogue Board Member (MI)
The Board of Directors is charged with making the important decisions of the association. Whether it’s hiring a management company to deal with the day-to-day affairs of the association or making the tough decision to pass an additional assessment to cover the cost of an improvement, the actions of the Board affect every member of […]
Brooklyn Park staff look to be involved in HOA conflicts (MN)
The City of Brooklyn Park knows the significant impact homeowners associations can have on residents in Brooklyn Park neighborhoods, and is looking to be involved with how they’re conducted. Read the article………………………………
Preparing your Community for Hostile Behavior
Community association board members and managers frequently practice diffusing tension and communicating clearly. Today, they also need to prepare safety and security plans in the event of hostile and dangerous behavior. Though worst-case scenarios are rare, in an increasingly uncertain climate, a renewed focus has been placed on safeguarding residents, volunteers, and employees. Read the […]
My Neighbors Are Harassing Me—What Should I Do?
Dear Newsweek, I need advice on how to handle harassing neighbors. I purchased my townhome in 2018 and within the first week, my neighbor had complained that the previous homeowner didn’t maintain the landscaping, so as a sign of goodwill I cleaned up the area. Read the article………………………..
Safety and security: Preparing your community for hostile behavior
Community association board members and managers frequently practice diffusing tension and communicating clearly. Today, they also need to prepare safety and security plans in the event of hostile and dangerous behavior. Though worst-case scenarios are rare, in an increasingly uncertain climate, a renewed focus has been placed on safeguarding residents, volunteers, and employees. Read the article………………………..
The Role of Community Associations in Owner vs. Owner Disputes (OH)
Like the Hatfields and the McCoys of yesteryear, one of life’s undeniable and consistent truths is that some people just cannot get along. This is often especially true in residential communities, where people are living in close proximity to each other and may have to interact with their neighbors on a regular basis. Too often, […]
Steps To Handle HOA Complaints
Q: We have one owner who spends hours every week writing pages of complaints dating back decades. Does a board have an obligation to continue to respond to the same rehashed grievances from a single owner? Read the article………………………..
HOA dispute turns into major legal battle (FL)
There are many benefits associated with living in a community with a governing body. This group oversees the maintenance of common areas and protects the property values of residents. However, there are times when an HOA can overstep its bounds or take steps that result in a conflict with residents. Recently, a dispute between a […]
How Being Kind Can Lead to Success
Disputes and disagreements between board members, residents, community managers, staff members, and business partners are an inevitable part of living in a community association. While generating an atmosphere of kindness and respect might seem easier said than done, it can make for a more collaborative and positive environment for all. Being nice can really pay […]
Signs Reveal Feud In Darien Neighborhood (IL)
Signs in a high-end Darien neighborhood are evidence of a dispute over the leadership of its homeowners association. Residents opposed to the Darien Club homeowners association’s board held a protest recently in Driftwood Park. Afterward, some demonstrators posted signs in their yards. Read the article………………………..
Dispute Resolution In HOA: Resolving Conflicts The Right Way
It is important to practice proper dispute resolution in HOA communities. Unfortunately, the reality is that many homeowners associations still struggle with this aspect of management. When faced with a conflict, some boards implement a non-standardized way of dealing with it. This inconsistent approach to resolving disputes will only lead to more misunderstandings. Read the […]
FL: Expert says condo retaliation against residents is common
Residents who try to hold condominium associations accountable are often subjects of retaliation, creating a culture of fear where rogue boards can run amok, said former Sunny Isles mayor and real estate attorney Dana Goldman. Read the article………………………..
A condo board’s guide to fixing people problems
If the police are called to break up a fight at a board meeting, most directors will recognize that a problem has been allowed to escalate overtime. Fortunately, most condo boards will never find themselves in a situation such as this. Still, many other less dramatic yet problematic situations can go unrecognized and, if not […]
Handling community association disputes (FL)
You might be one of many Florida residents who live in a townhome, condominium or other community governed by a Homeowners Association. You probably already know that there are benefits as well as downsides to such arrangements. Numerous issues can spark HOA problems, which often involve more than one community resident. Read the article………………………..
Appellate Division Affirms: Binding Dispute Resolution Provisions in Standard AIA Construction Contracts Are Enforceable (NJ)
In a recent unpublished opinion, the New Jersey Appellate Division held that an agreement to arbitrate set forth in the binding dispute resolution provision in a standard form American Institute of Architects (AIA) construction contract between a condominium association and contractor was enforceable. Read the article………………………..
Condo Column: The bully ‘round the corner (NH)
Bullying is not just in playgrounds anymore. News journalists and condominium columnists report on it more and more often and condominium attorneys see it more and more often and condominium owners certainly are subject to it more and more often.? Read the article………………………..
Racial slur graffitied on Huntsville homeowner’s door amid tensions with neighborhood association (TX)
A man showed up to his home in Huntsville on Monday morning to find racist graffiti painted on his back door. The message on Mario Roberson’s door reads, “We don’t like your kind,” and ends with a racial slur. Read the article………………………..
Homeowner Associations: 50% Pro-Rata Fee Award To HOA By Arbitrator Affirmed On Appeal (CA)
In Fairly-Haze v. Whitesails Community Assn., Case No. B311574 (2d Dist., Div. 6 May 4, 2023) (unpublished), HOA primarily won an arbitration proceeding which involved assignment of a handicapped car space in return for a surrender of another space by homeowners. Read the article………………………..
These Co-op and Condo Boards Used Imagination to Avoid Litigation (NY)
Beset by rising fixed costs everywhere they turn — from facade repairs to property taxes, insurance premiums, green retrofits and staff payroll — co-op and condo boards sometimes overlook one area where they can actually control costs: legal fees. The key, say numerous lawyers, is to pursue dispute resolutions that avoid litigation. Translation: stay away […]
Common Homeowner Association Problems
So many homeowners have problems with their homeowner association. Whether you live in a condo, co-op, a townhome or subdivision, each version of a homeowner association has a set of common problems that everyone will face. Sometimes it’s mismanagement of the homeowner association itself or the association hires incompetent vendors to run and maintain the […]
Condo/HOA conflict: What causes it and how to minimize it
Every condominium and HOA community has governing documents that help guide all members on what is and is not acceptable. Nevertheless, conflict is inevitable. Read the article………………………..
How to Handle the Proverbial Association Bully
Community associations operate through Boards of Directors (the “Board”). Such Boards are tasked with certain duties and responsibilities that they must perform to ensure the success of the community. When dealing with bullies, carrying out these responsibilities and achieving their goals becomes exceptionally difficult. According to the American Psychological Association, bullies act in manners that […]
Tips for Developing an HOA Dispute Resolution Process
Disputes, as much as they are uncomfortable and inconvenient, are inevitable among homeowners. It is, therefore, important for associations to create a dispute resolution plan that they can refer to and enforce in a consistent manner when a dispute arises. Read the article………………………..
What to Do If You’re Having Issues With an HOA (NY)
If you’re having issues with a homeowners’ association (HOA), carefully consider your options because litigation is a time-consuming, costly decision. First, assess the merits of your claim. Specifically, review the HOA’s bylaws, declaration, and rules and regulations to see if your claim is in direct violation of any of these. Read the article………………………..
How To Handle Neighbor Disputes In A Fair Manner
Disputes are an inevitable part of living in communities. When people live near each other, they are bound to disagree occasionally. As an association board member knows, disagreements between residents and the board happen often. However, disputes between neighbors are even more common. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: Can one person destroy our meetings? (CA)
Q: Is there a way to limit comments and attendance at monthly board meetings? We have a member who is constantly making harassing comments at board meetings. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Having Trouble With Your HOA Along With Complaints? (CA)
Having the opportunity to live in a condominium, townhouse, or row home is a great benefit and challenge for people who live in a homeowners association. However, there are some common complaints about the way the Board of Directors of an association treats its members. Read the article………………………..
How To Lodge a Complaint With Your HOA, Co-op Board, or Landlord—and Get Results
As every parent knows, the chances of your children getting their way has to do with their delivery and the content of their ask. Little Billy wants to play outside with his friends for an extra 30 minutes? He’d better ask nicely, say “please,” and give you a good reason why. Read the article………………………..
Toxic People Are Sometimes Hard to See
One of the most dysfunctional organizations I have ever been involved with was a neighborhood homeowners association (HOA). The politics made the last national election look like child’s play, and for what? Actually, it’s what we used to call a power trip, but it’s really just the need to be righteous and lord over other […]
Defamation
In the past two years, I have seen a significant increase in ‘bad’ behavior among residents. Whether verbal altercations, email campaigns designed to intimidate and harass or yard signs with insulating messages. Managers and board directors are suffering with the stress, anxiety and fatigue of dealing with such behavior. Read the article………………………..