Navigating Defamation Lawsuits and Non-Compete Clauses (FL)

The topic of defamation has become more prevalent as civil discourse has eroded. Unfortunately, sometimes it is the rare board member and/or manager who has not been subject to some form of potential slander or libel throughout their course of community association service.    Listen to the podcast…………………………..

Social Media in Your Community (TX)

Throughout history, communication has changed drastically. From petroglyphs in caves telling the stories of ancient hunts and battles, to the pony express taking letters across the frontier, to the notification of “you’ve got mail” signaling an email has arrived, the barriers to communication have steadily dropped over time. That evolution has continued over the last […]

Social Media in Your Community (TX)

Throughout history, communication has changed drastically. From petroglyphs in caves telling the stories of ancient hunts and battles, to the pony express taking letters across the frontier, to the notification of “you’ve got mail” signaling an email has arrived, the barriers to communication have steadily dropped over time. That evolution has continued over the last […]

‘HOA Chronicles’ parody videos hit a nerve, draw blowback against Cibolo city council candidate

ACibolo City Council candidate’s TikTok video series — called “HOA Chronicles” — is stirring up controversy in the Northeast Side-area city.  The videos depict Jeff McGlothin, who is also an area homeowners association president, driving around his neighborhood saying the types of things that someone who always demands to speak to the manager would say.  […]

How to Use Social Media in Community Associations

Community associations are finding more and more value in using social media to connect with their residents. It can be a great way to share photos from community events, announce upcoming events, and give residents a way to interact with each other online. However, social media is also Pandora’s box;   Read the article………………………..

Should Your HOA Use Social Media to Connect with Residents?

Homeowners are getting younger. Both Millennials and Gen Zs (from 18-40) care more about putting down roots, being sustainable, and getting involved in the real estate industry than any generations before them.  Read the article……………………………

Co-ops, Condos, & Social Media: To Tweet…or Not to Tweet?

While some co-op and condo communities have tried social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter as ways to build community spirit and facilitate better communication between neighbors, management, and even the board, most have remained ‘old-school,’ sticking with newsletters, bulletin boards (both digital and cork) in the lobby or mail room, and email […]

Co-ops, Condos, HOAs & Social Media: Many Communities Say “No Thanks”

Fans of the TV show “Seinfeld” may recall an episode in which the character Kramer posts the names and photos of all the residents in his building in the lobby so everybody can get to know each other better—maybe even (gasp) say “hello” to each other in the lobby or elevator. Kramer’s neighborly initiative didn’t […]

Where Does Social Media Take Your Condominium?

Social media is an ever-evolving beast. Once you get comfortable with one algorithm, there have since been five updates, and a new sub-app that everyone is telling you to use. It’s understandable that most find themselves wanting to pull their hair out once tasked with social media managing. This can be especially frustrating if you […]

Parent Garners Support After Defending Son Against HOA in Viral Post

Some communities are run by a homeowners’ association (HOA) that is responsible for managing property and common areas. Because of that, the HOA has rules for their residents, and one person voiced their frustration regarding them in a viral post on Reddit’s “Am I the A**hole.”   Read the entire article……………………………….

‘THEY can control what YOU own’: TikToker spray paints dead bushes green to comply with HOA, sparking debate

TikToker @brandylong490 spray painted her bushes green after her Homeowners Association (HOA) complained about the dead leaves.  “That’s a nope!” she wrote in the caption.  The TikToker’s viral video shows her spray painting her half-dead bushes to be a more vibrant shade of green. The video has gained over 3.9 million views and 166,500 likes […]

Australia: The [Not So] Social Strata Website

If major news organisations are liable for defamation via their Facebook pages, where does that leave strata buildings [and their managers] with websites, chat groups, and other member communication platforms? Is it just a strata free for all, is careful moderation required, or, do strata buildings just shut things down?   Read the entire article……………………………….

Creating a Support App for Your Homeowner Community

The one thing that is true about any community is that it evolves. The first formal HOA was founded in the late 1940s, a neighborhood of affordable homes for veterans. The trend kicked off by the 1960s expansion boom when many new neighborhoods were needed all at once. An HOA board could communicate with member-residents […]

City of Dothan clarifies social media post on neighborhood associations (GA)

The City of Dothan made a post regarding neighborhood associations and it led to confusion within the community.  The city isn’t asking communities to make HOA’s or collect individual homeowner’s information but rather if neighborhoods want to make an association to help provide a voice for their area it is encouraged.     Read the entire […]

The Potential Pitfalls of Social Media for Community Associations (GA)

Social networks like Facebook, Nextdoor, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, etc. have dramatically changed the way all of us – including homeowner and condominium associations – communicate. These networks allow community associations to easily, inexpensively, and instantly notify their members about a wide variety of issues. They also can be a useful forum where members can speak […]

The Potential Pitfalls of Social Media for Community Associations (GA)

Social networks like Facebook, Nextdoor, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, etc. have dramatically changed the way all of us – including homeowner and condominium associations – communicate. These networks allow community associations to easily, inexpensively, and instantly notify their members about a wide variety of issues. They also can be a useful forum where members can speak […]

Owner social media page raises questions (FL)

Q: Our homeowners’ association has a new board that is currently working on the transition from the builder. Residents have become quite vocal, and complaints are numerous about general association matters and other residents. A resident set up a social page open to members of the community, which has become predominantly a method for complaints […]

Condos and social media: Think before you post (VA)

As much as homeowners and condo associations can seem overbearing and interfering, many times those feelings come from homeowners or board members not being fully educated on what’s in their association’s governing documents, understanding who the decision makers are in the association and how the process works.   Read the article……………………………

Online newspaper rankles Crooked River Ranch board (OR)

To the handful of loyal followers of their Facebook page, John Stevens and David Stangland are citizen journalists holding accountable the authorities in Crooked River Ranch.  But to members of the ranch’s nine-person board of directors, they’re a pair of deeply conflicted and dishonest wannabes who traffic in negativity.   Read the article………………………………

Dos and Don’ts for Your Community Association’s Social Media Accounts (MI)

The simplicity of creating a social media account for your community association is tempting. After providing just a few pieces of personal information and an e-mail address, your association has joined the other 2.7 billion users on Facebook, 1 billion users on Instagram and 330 million users on Twitter.  While creating the social media account […]

Foothills HOA social media proposal creates controversy (AZ)

A proposed policy that would involve monitoring Foothills HOA residents’ comments about their board and the Foothills Association is emerging as a potential issue as the board enters its election season.  While the policy has been shelved until after the Oct. 21 election for four seats on the seven-member board, one of the candidates already […]

“Does My Community Association Need a Social Media Policy?” (NJ)

While social media can be an informal and inexpensive way for community associations to increase information and engagement among their residents, association boards must be wary of potential pitfalls and legal risks if that social media presence is poorly managed. Directors or trustees of an association have a fiduciary relationship with both the association and […]

Should You Provide HOA Online Support?

Homeowners often have questions or concerns they would like to raise but have no medium to do so in an instant. This is why some HOAs are considering online support. But, is HOA online support even a good idea?  Read the article……………………………

HOA boards need good social media policies (NV)

If you have not had the opportunity of taking a class concerning social media, I would highly recommend that you take the next one that is offered. I personally do not recommend my association managers or boards of directors to partake in the various social media sites, be it as a formal board member or […]

Social Networking HOA Best Practices

We live in a digital age where communication is delivered with lightning speed and the majority of community associations are turning to social media to communicate with homeowners. Social media has been shown to be an effective tool in keeping a community informed of various events and activities. However, it is vital that a social […]

Gilbert HOA is threatening to fine residents over critical social media posts (AZ)

If I didn’t love this community, I wouldn’t be fighting this fight,” said Ashley Nardecchia.  Nardecchia lives in the Val Vista Lakes (VVL) community off Greenfield and Baseline Road.  Since 2019, she’s been the admin of a private community Facebook page called Residents at VVL.    Read the article…………………………

Facebook Vs. Nextdoor: Why Your HOA Needs to Know the Difference

Did you know that almost 50% of Americans don’t know the names of their neighbors? (Reference: CAI – July 2017 Newsletter) As an HOA management company, it’s our responsibility to support and encourage communication within the community association. We have always encouraged getting to know your neighbors.  But like the rest of us, when we […]

Condo Column: What do do if rumors crop up on community message board (FL)

Q: Many of our residents subscribe to social media websites focused on community associations that are not actually controlled by the associations themselves. Most of the posters are neighborly and use the site for vendor recommendations and social activities, but our neighborhood site has become a message board to spread rumors and mistruths about the […]

Co-op/Condo Communities and Social Media: A Useful Tool for Some (NY)

From getting the news, to finding that ultimate BBQ recipe, or just keeping up with friends and relatives both near and far, social media has become entwined in the fabric of our lives. In fact, Facebook, Instagram, and the rest are so ubiquitous, it may come as a surprise to many that in the world […]

Should Our HOA Implement a Social Media Policy? (FL)

Benefits of social media in the community association context are numerous, not the least of which are speed and reach. Various online platforms enable communities to instantly deliver information to potentially hundreds or thousands of their residents who are regularly glued to their screens. As a result, however, many communities approach the use of social […]

“Who Said What?” When Members Use Social Media and Other Platforms to Inappropriately Communicate about Association Business – Part II (FL)

This article is the second part of an earlier article which addressed how board officers should handle their personal and official communications directed to members about association business. Part II of this article addresses how the association should handle unofficial association correspondence between members and the use of various social media platforms, like Twitter or […]

“Friction” Is the Enemy of Communication (NY)

You’ve got a new wrinkle on the old mantra. For you, it’s communication, communication, communication.  As a management company, we’re invested in managing for the board, obviously, but we also have to be cognizant of how we’re responding to and communicating with all of the residents. It’s really us and the board, as well as […]

Dealing with inaccuracies posted on social media by residents (FL)

Q: A number of residents in our community have created a Facebook account using the name of the community. Many residents have joined the group under the assumption it is the homeowners association’s (HOA) official Facebook page. The administrators of the page are not on the board and so much of the information and rumors […]

5 Things That Must Be Addressed in Your Association’s Social Media Policy (IL)

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have made communication faster, cost effective, and convenient when compared to physical mailings. However, issues can arise if an Association utilizes social media to communicate Association information and the Board has not taken proactive measures to develop a written communication policy.  Here are five key factors […]

6 Cons in Using Social Media for Association Communication

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be useful tools for communicating Association news and updates. Meeting date reminders and community event headlines can be shared with owners in quick and convenient fashion. However, issues can arise when communication is mishandled.    Read the article………………………

5 Pros in Using Social Media for Association Communication

Board members understand the need to convey community information to their members in an efficient, cost-effective, and expeditious manner. Accordingly, some associations have created Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and other social media accounts for their communities. While there are many factors that need to be considered, technology can provide a number of benefits in […]

Post responsibly: How to avoid legal risks and negative effects on social media in your community

Social media tools are a great way for community associations to increase engagement with their residents, but they can leave communities vulnerable to potential legal risks if managed inappropriately.  Adopting a social media policy can allow communities to assign responsibility over its use and minimize abusive practices, says attorney Katrina Solomatina of Berding & Weil […]

Social Media: Friend or Foe?

The use of private social media groups for managed communities is constantly debated among community managers. While social media increases visibility and provides an alternative avenue of communication, things can turn sour and get out of hand quickly. However, social media doesn’t have to be your enemy – homeowners and HOAs can actually benefit from […]

Social media poses difficult tasks for homeowners associations (FL)

Q: Many of our owners have joined a social media site that is not controlled by the association. On this site, owners can post comments about contractors, news and even association business. The problem is that the information being disseminated is inaccurate, and usually very mean and defamatory. What can we do, or what should […]

The Future of Communications

Effective communication is a cornerstone of any successful community association. In order to effectively communicate requires HOA boards to not only deliver clear, transparent and thoughtful messages to the membership, but also to seek and listen to input from the membership to the board. In the digital age, the form, manner and style of communication […]

What Could an HOA Do With a Community Mobile App?

HOAs have a reputation of being a bit behind the technological curve. Like anything run by committee or centered around a residential neighborhood, it’s true that changes can take time. But as we approach the 20th year of the new millennium, HOAs everywhere are upgrading their tech and improving their direct communication to residents through […]

Condo Smarts: Chat room risks outweigh benefits

The risks with Facebook or any website where users may add, post or respond to information is that it is impossible to prevent misuse of the site. As a result, the strata corporation may encounter a series of problems that will fuel conflicts and discrimination and place your strata corporation in a position where the […]

UPDATE: HOA Gun Report Stemmed From Third Party Facebook Poster (FL)

We’re not going to name names — there’s no need to embarrass people more than they likely already are — but BocaNewsNow.com has received the police report from last week’s alleged gun incident at a West Delray Beach community. As readers may recall, a Facebook user posted online that she heard that guns were brought […]

Pros and Cons of Your HOA Being on Social Media

Social media, for good or bad, is here to stay and has changed the way we communicate. By recognizing the pros, cons, and legal issues of using these platforms for HOA communication and professional branding, you can make these tools work for your HOA rather than against it.    Read the article……………..