Bill Would Ease Restrictions on Rooftop Solar Installations (NY)

Money isn’t the only obstacle for co-op and condo boards that want to install solar panels on their roofs as a way reducing their buildings’ carbon emissions. Strict regulations by the Fire Department of New York often make it impractical to install solar panels, especially on smaller roofs.   Read the article………………………..

Droughts, Hurricanes, Accidents, Failing Infrastructure Contribute To Growing Number Of Water Stress-Related Crises

(Not specifically a condo/HOA-related article but it impacts them)  We tend not to think about plumbing matters unless there’s a problem or we’re planning a new construction or remodeling project. In recent years though, there have been quite a few headline-grabbing, sometimes catastrophic, water and plumbing system-related problems impacting communities and households across the country.    Read the […]

Implementing Sustainable Living Initiatives In Your HOA

In today’s world, sustainability is becoming more and more important. HOA board members and managers have an excellent opportunity to positively impact your community by implementing sustainable living initiatives.  Such strategies can help you improve the quality of life for current and future residents while reducing costs that would otherwise be incurred with traditional developments.  […]

Couple faces lawsuit from HOA after violating their allegedly ‘illegal’ neighborhood rules: ‘There was no reason’ (IL)

Mark and Jennifer Bassler live in Belleville, Illinois, in a subdivision called The Orchards, which is governed by an HOA, the Belleville News-Democrat reports. The couple moved into their new home in March 2020 and installed solar panels that December. The Orchards Homeowners Association immediately filed a civil suit to have the panels removed, saying […]

Green Technology Coming to Co-ops and Condos of Modest Means (NY)

Energy efficiency is no longer just for co-ops and condos with deep pockets. Green building technology startup BlocPower has raised nearly $25 million in equity funding and $130 million in debt financing to retrofit tens of thousands of apartments and other dwellings with climate-friendly appliances. This is good news to co-op and condo boards that […]

Water Conservation in HOA Landscaping (CA)

As we head into summer, water conservation is top of mind for many of us. Here in California, water restrictions are always a looming concern. But did you know that your HOA community can make a big impact on water conservation?   Read the article………………………..

How Can Your Association Conserve Water? Here Are Some Tips

Water is a necessity, so conserving it is vital. Especially in communities where there are a lot of users and uses, water wastage may happen.  From landscaping to facilities use to household usage. However, with the right measures in place, the HOA can conserve a large amount of water.    Read the article………………………..

Environmental Sustainability Policy Issues In 2023

Conservation, environmental sustainability, and “green” issues are important policy issues facing the community association housing model.  CAI follows these clear and fundamental principles concerning environmental sustainability policy:   Read the article………………………..

Residential Communities vs. Climate Change: Adjusting to the New Reality (NV)

The reality of climate change is upon us. Weather patterns have changed, and seasons have been altered. We experience more intense heat, more frequent, destructive storms, wide-ranging wildfires, and more destructive cold. Tornadoes—the spawn of conflicting hot and cold air masses—touch down in places they were once almost unheard of. What was scientific prognostication only […]

Homeowner’s Association Treatment and Enforcement of Solar Panels

Solar panels may be a source of controversy in residential neighborhoods. On one side of the debate are homeowners wishing to invest in renewable energy and take advantage of any available federal tax credits. On the other side are homeowners who purchased their homes in reliance upon the protection that a homeowner’s association (“HOA”) would […]

What Are Effective Green Community Initiatives?

The catch word phrase these days is “everything should go green.” The dictionary defines green in relation to the environment as: “tending to preserve environmental quality (as by being recyclable, biodegradable, or nonpolluting).”   Read the article………………………..

Bill Seeks to Push Local Law 97 Fines Back by 7 Years (NY)

Vickie Paladino, a Republican who represents northeastern Queens on the New York City Council, has introduced a bill that seeks to push next year’s fines under Local Law 97 back by seven years. Beginning in 2024, buildings that fail to reduce their carbon emissions to prescribed levels are scheduled to face stiff fines. The carbon […]

House Bill Filed to End Residential Solar Power Bans OK

A bill was filed prior to the start of the Oklahoma legislative session to end housing restrictions against residential solar power projects.  Ardmore Rep. Tammy Townley filed House Bill 1023 which provides that an owners association, such as an HOA, may not prohibit the installation of solar energy systems.   Read the article………………………..

Top 4 tips for the Inflation Reduction Act (NY)

As co-op and condo owners and boards focus on sustainability, along with environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), and avoiding fines under Local Law 97, electrification can be a smart solution. It involves replacing carbon emissions-producing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and appliances with those that run on electricity.    Read the article………………………..

I-Team In-Depth: CVWD water fines cutting water waste as customers seek to conserve and save money (CA)

Fines for excessive outdoor watering appear to be working for the Coachella Valley Water District as the state requires water agencies up and down California to reduce water use during the drought. But in an I-Team report, Jeff Stahl finds some higher-than-expected Coachella Valley Water District monthly bills are still taking customers by surprise.   Read […]

City Issues Proposed Rules on Complying With Local Law 97 (NY)

The city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) has come out with long-awaited draft regulations on how building owners, including co-op and condo boards, can cut their buildings’ carbon emissions to comply with Local Law 97 of the Climate Mobilization Act.   Read the article………………………..

How this low-water groundcover held up during the late-summer heat (CA)

In an attempt to find a drought-tolerant ground cover for his Irvine homeowners’ association landscape, Jim Harrison introduced kurapia in selected areas this summer. Harrison wrote that it was “planted in July, filled in nicely in August, and survived well in September heat.”   Read the article………………………..

Laguna Woods HOA votes to set limits on outdoor watering (CA)

New watering restrictions for residents put in place by the Third Mutual Board are aimed at conservation during California’s record drought.  Watering of outdoor personal plants using exterior mounted hose bibs is now limited to two days a week – Wednesdays and Sundays. However, residents may use watering cans filled inside their homes to water […]

Top Three Electrifying Tips (NY)

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 has passed. It comes with significant rebates and tax incentives for electrifying homes and apartments. If taken advantage of at the fullest, the IRA will help NYC coop and condo owners and boards minimize their fines as part of Local Law 97.   Read the article………………………..

New Law! HB2131: Artificial Grass Ban Prohibited; HOAs (AZ)

On March 30, 2022, Governor Ducey signed HB2131: ARTIFICIAL GRASS BAN PROHIBITED; HOAs into law which adds a new section to the Planned Communities Act (A.R.S. Section 33-1819). This new law applies only to planned communities and will become effective on September 24, 2022. Set forth below is Mulcahy Law Firm, P.C.’s easy to understand […]

Beyond the Water: Effectively Managing Lake and Pond Shorelines (CA)

Imagine taking an evening walk as the sun sets across the beautiful lake or pond in your community. The sky is pink and orange, crickets are chirping, and a warm breeze blows across the water. Now, imagine looking down at the steep shoreline in front of you, finding that it’s bare, crumbling, and so unstable […]

Privately-owned pond at Willow Springs Ranch to get 4 acre-feet of water (CA)

A privately-owned, man-made pond at Willow Springs Ranch that some residents of the subdivision community recently worried could dry up will soon receive 4 acre-feet of water, a short-term solution that should sustain the pond and its ecosystem until the next wet winter season arrives, the president of the Willow Springs Homeowners Association said Monday.  […]

Water Conservation Requirement (CA)

With the state of California having issued a mandatory water reduction of 25 percent, many HOAs are wondering how to keep yards looking great. After all, no water typically means dead, brown grass. The good news is that there are a few ways to make a drought resistant landscape to keep everyone happy.   Read the […]

We should go where the water is (AZ)

Arizona’s economy runs on growth. But as the state is forced to make cuts in its water usage, it will have to reconsider what the housing developments built to accommodate that growth look like and even how many more people it can realistically handle.  Read the article………………………..