Q: If the HOA hires a property management company, what tasks require the manager to have a CAM license and is it illegal to hire someone without a license? We have been told the manager of our community is covered under the management company’s license. Read the Q&A………………………………..
HB 1203: Lots of New Protections for Members Living in HOAsMakes It Harder for CAMS (FL)
House Bill 1203 and SB 7046 merged to eventually create a huge bill for the protection of homeowners in HOAs. It starts by placing lots of responsibilities on community association managers. A community association manager or community association management firm that is authorized by contract to provide community association management services to a homeowners’ association […]
Unveiling the Evolution of the CMCA Exam Blueprint: Changes Go into Effect December 2024
The Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB) is poised to usher in a new era for the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) exam, offering a revamped blueprint that mirrors the dynamic landscape of association management across the globe. These changes, stemming from a thorough job analysis study conducted between 2021 and 2022, reflect […]
Report: Compensation Steadily Increasing for Community Association Managers
Community association management continues to be a high-demand profession with increasing compensation and positive business prospects. Managers are confident about the industry with 80% of respondents saying that business prospects for their employer are “good” or “very good” for the coming year, according to the 2022 Community Association Manager Compensation and Salary Survey conducted by […]
2023 Legislative Report and 2024 Legislative Forecast for Community Association Manager Licensing
Occupational or professional licensing, also called licensure, is a form of government regulation requiring a license to pursue a particular profession for compensation. Government regulation of professions is typically at the state level. Read the article……………………………….
What Is the Role of a Community Association Manager?
A community association manager (CAM) performs various tasks depending on the size of the community and its unique needs. Also known as a Homeowner’s association manager, a CAM helps oversee the daily operations of a community association. Here are some responsibilities of community association management specialists: Read the article……………………………..
Australia: Strata managers struggling with verbal abuse and long hours
Strata managers are increasingly facing difficult working conditions, with nearly two-thirds facing verbal abuse from both owners and tenants on top of long hours. Read the article………………………..
The Role of HOA Management in Safeguarding and Improving Property Investments (TX)
Owning a home means more than having a place to live; it’s a valuable investment we cherish. Many neighborhoods are blessed with a Homeowners Association (HOA) to safeguard and nurture this investment. This remarkable alliance consists of fellow homeowners who unite to manage and care for the community. Read the article………………………..
Workers see big raise after condo board hires unionized management firm (MN)
Condo workers at River Towers in Minneapolis recently won two things for which they’ve been fighting for over a year: a union and a big pay raise. Read the article………………………..
Legal implications of AI in condo management (ON)
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, like ChatGPT, is becoming more commonplace, and this emerging technology is likely to continue to evolve and embed itself in business practices. AI in condominium property management can have several legal implications, depending on how it is implemented and used. Here are some important legal considerations: Read the […]
New Illinois Community Association Manager Rules for 2023
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is a state government agency responsible for the licensing, regulation, and discipline of Community Association Managers (CAM). Community Association Managers are responsible for managing homeowner and condominium associations. Their duties often include collecting association dues, managing association vendors, resolving disputes between owners, and enforcing the community’s […]
2023 ILAC Update: New CAM and Management Firm Rules (IL)
Illinois instituted individual CAM Licensing in 2012 and the process is overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The IDFPR through its Division of Real Estate has worked over the past several years to standardize and harmonize requirements of licensed professionals in the State including Community Association Managers and Real Estate […]
How To Compare Different CAM Schools To Find The Right One For You (FL)
In the vibrant and ever-expanding state of Florida, a prosperous career in community association management awaits those ready to embrace the challenge. As a Community Association Manager (CAM), you’ll play a pivotal role in managing small communities, overseeing their financial health, and ensuring smooth operations. Read the article………………………..
Adding Efficiency and Lowering Costs While Managing Your Association Without Onsite Staff
Many condominium and Homeowners Associations, especially those accounting for large associations, are unnecessarily financially burdened by having onsite staff for accounting and management work that is ideally suited for outsourcing to a third party. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: How does somebody become HOA manager? (CA)
Q: What are the legal qualifications and California requirements to be a property management company or manager for homeowners associations? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Police want to look for someone on association property – let them in?
During a recent livestream I asked the panel: If the police want to look for someone on association property, should management let them in? Read the article………………………..
Top 13 Skills Your HOA Manager Should Have
Of the 117,454 currently active property managers in the United States today, many have mastered specialties like residential, commercial, and industrial management. Within each area of expertise, property managers vary in their experience, approach, and skill sets. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: Managers’ New Year’s resolutions
Previous columns proposed resolutions for directors and HOA members, so today I share my ideas for managers. Next week, I’ll dig into resolutions for service providers. Read the article………………………..
HOA Property Management: 2023 Trends
As the world continues to evolve, so do HOA Property Management trends. In recent years, we have seen a rise in technology and data-driven solutions for HOA Property Managers. These trends will continue in 2023. Read the article………………………..
Community Association Management and Architectural Controls
Architectural controls are necessary for an HOA’s ability to protect the homeowners’ investment and quality of life. Understanding architectural controls and how community association management can help with them can be a major advantage to a new community and its developers. Read the article………………………..
Managers and Board Members: Tips to Survive Holiday Stress
It’s very easy to become overwhelmed this time of year. Stress affects everyone differently, but here are some tips to help managers and their communities effectively deal with this very busy season and the conflict that often arises. I hope they help you manage the stress of the holiday season and help you to have […]
Why Every Community Associations Needs a Workers Comp Policy (CO)
Even though all Community Associations should only hire licensed insured contractors, we know this does not always happen. By hiring uninsured venders or contractors the Management Company and the Association can be held liable for workers comp claims submitted by their vendors. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Homefront – Is this manager qualified? (CA)
After selecting the desired type of management services, how can one evaluate a manager’s qualifications? California HOA managers are unregulated, with no required license or minimum education. Rental managers must have real estate broker licenses, but not HOA managers. There is a wide range of qualification and experience in the field, and industry credentials indicate […]
HOA Homefront: Which type of management Is best for your community? (CA)
Determining which type of management service is best for the HOA is a very important HOA board decision. Even the smallest associations need some form of professional management. Read the entire article……………………………….
How Community Managers and Property Managers Have Distinct Roles
Acommon mistake among the general public—is to lump community association managers and property managers into the same bucket. While both are very important roles, they are distinctly different professions with functions, skill sets, and responsibilities specific to each. Read the entire article……………………………….
8 Characteristics of a Great Board/Management Company Relationship
There are seminal moments in our lives and careers. One of mine was circa 1985. I bumped into a board member of a condominium for whom my maintenance company had completed some projects. The question she asked me that lovely spring day on a bustling city sidewalk 35 years or so ago changed the way […]
“I am not going away” A lawmaker’s continued push for HOA regulations and consumer protections (MD)
More than a million people are estimated to reside within a homeowners association or condominium board in Maryland, and yet, there aren’t many requirements to manage these communities. Delegate Marvin Holmes Jr. (D-Prince George’s County) is determined to change that. Read the entire article……………………………….
Five HOA Automation Tools For Better Property Management
Managing a property requires a high level of business acumen. Being an HOA community manager is sometimes a thankless job. But someone needs to help manage the community, ensure that those are being paid, and help take care of maintenance/repairs that might need to be done. It’s also prudent to keep the neighborhood looking in […]
Association Management and the Attorney Client Privilege (CA)
Attorneys who practice community association law are often asked whether a community manager is covered by the attorney-client privilege. In general, the attorney-client privilege shields communications intended to be confidential between an association and its attorney. Materials prepared by an attorney and that reflect the attorney’s thoughts, conclusions or opinions (attorney work product) may also […]
4 Pillars of HOA Management
HOA (Homeowners association) communities are on the rise across the nation. Around 58% of homeowners live in HOA communities and across the country, around 8,000 new HOAs are formed each year. The prominence of HOAs and the diverse characteristics of each community pose an HOA management challenge to homeowners. Many HOAs turn to third-party companies […]
Key Biscayne condo managers favor aggressive inspection protocol (FL)
Recommendations last week by a Miami-Dade County Grand Jury regarding tighter — yet, ultimately, costlier — regulations for condominium safety are gaining acceptance by those close to the situation on Key Biscayne. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Homefront: What community managers want for the holidays (CA)
As we give gifts to loved ones and friends during the holiday season, most HOA members probably don’t consider giving to their community manager – the person who gets the calls when plumbing or roofs leak, somebody acts up at the pool, or gates malfunction. Read the entire article……………………………….
Current and Forecasted Legislation on Community Association Manager Licensing
Last week, we discussed the main trends around occupational licensing legislation in addition to bills that were introduced this year and how they could influence licensing requirements for community association managers. CAI supports self-governance of the management profession that does not impose barriers for existing community managers or those who are new to the industry.
Conflict with Neighbors? How Your HOA Management Can Help (CA)
Neighbor relations are a significant part of what makes home ownership enjoyable… or not. Some people have a good rapport with their neighbors, while others may not even be familiar with who their neighbors are. However, due to the pandemic, people are paying attention to their neighbors and community now more than ever, for better […]
How Property Managers Prioritize Maintenance Requests
When managing multiple properties, maintenance and repair issues happen all the time. While you may think that dealing with these is a no-brainer, in reality, to consistently provide a high-quality service and achieve a degree of cost-effectiveness and responsiveness, prioritizing maintenance issues is essential. Read the entire article……………………………….
The Evolution of Property Management: Big Changes in the Last Decade
Like so many other sectors of the economy, residential real estate management has changed and evolved since the turn of the millennium—and like those other sectors, much of that evolution is directly linked to the development and adoption of technology. Read the entire article……………………………….
It’s the Manager’s Fault…Or Is It? (FL)
Few professions have more demands placed upon them than that of the Florida licensed community association manager (CAM). Depending on whom you ask, the CAM is the organizer, rules enforcer, keeper of secrets (meaning confidential and statutorily protected information not limited to the medical record of owners and attorney-client privileged information), best friend, the “bad […]
Is Your Association Prepared? Expect Supply Shortages
There’s news once again reporting food and product supply shortages are on the horizon, if not already here, due to what can only be described as a logistics disaster. This morning’s news reported that there are thousands of shipping crates snarled in a logistical nightmare waiting to be off loaded with no relief in sight. […]
Ask Mary: The Board-Manager Tie Is About More Than Chemistry (NY)
In the last eight years, our condo has been through three managing agents at two different property management companies. Things always start off OK, but at some point the relationship goes sour, and we part ways. We’re losing momentum and getting frustrated. What are some tips for creating and keeping a healthy partnership with our […]
It’s the Manager’s Fault…Or Is It? (FL)
Few professions have more demands placed upon them than that of the Florida licensed community association manager (CAM). Depending on whom you ask, the CAM is the organizer, rules enforcer, keeper of secrets (meaning confidential and statutorily protected information not limited to the medical record of owners and attorney-client privileged information), best friend, the “bad […]
Traits of Great Community Association Managers
The time, effort, and attention that goes into creating an environment that feels welcoming and connected is what makes people love where they live. Having a community association management company that truly understands the ingredients that make up the best recipe for success can make all the difference in how well a property runs, as […]
The Role of Your HOA Management Company
There are many complexities involved in running a community governed by an HOA. Residents may wonder what the difference is between their HOA board and their HOA management company. Members of the board may question if they should invest in an HOA management company, or if they have the one best suited to them. Either […]
Is your condo manager stressed out? 10 tips for reducing stress
Don’t stress out your condo manager! Condo managers are special people working on the front lines of condo corporations and face challenging people regularly. These people could be owners who might be angry about something or directors who are busy and sometimes very demanding. Read the entire article……………………………….
4 Ways to Build Trust with Boards and Service Providers
Managing a homeowners association, condominium community, or housing cooperative is a complex undertaking even for the most experienced community manager. In addition to performing multiple tasks for the association, managers must provide guidance to board members and monitor the work of service providers while on-site. Building strong, positive relationships that are built on trust is […]
Giving Mental Health Support to Community Managers
Many of the challenges associated with the community association management profession have escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic as managers and management companies stepped up to guide communities with operational support and advice to prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of residents. Read the entire article……………………………….
Is That Contractor Really an Employee? (FL)
The misclassification of an employee as an independent contractor can prove costly for employers — including both community associations and managers. So it was good news when the Trump administration finalized a rule that loosened the test for determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Read the entire article……………………………….
Giving Mental Health Support to Community Managers
Many of the challenges associated with the community association management profession have escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic as managers and management companies stepped up to guide communities with operational support and advice to prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of residents. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: How Many Strata Managers Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?
Or, why we need a lot more strata managers [and other related change] Did you hear the joke about the strata manager? No? Well, I’ll tell you that joke, but it has an unexpected punchline about strata title sector issues. Warning! This is a semi-satirical piece. Read the entire article……………………………….
Australia: How Many Strata Managers Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?
Some of the real things my strata manager lightbulb joke reveals include the following things. I’m summarising them here. But I will write about each of them in more detail in the future as they each require a more complex and nuanced analysis. Read the entire article……………………………….
How do you know if your condo or homeowners association is well-managed? Here are some tips (VA)
How do you know if your homeowners or condominium association is being successfully managed? It can sometimes be hard to determine if a community with an association is being run well. Read the article……………………………………….