Recently on a national HOA/condo list serve, a community association professional lamented that civility has fallen in HOAs and condos and asked about how to deal with homeowners who regularly bully or harass. Read the article………………………….
Handling HOA Trespassing
Do members or representatives of the HOA have permission to enter into, or onto, a homeowner’s property? The short answer is, technically, yes. However, although there are times when, legally, the HOA can get authorization to enter a homeowner’s property, you may want to think twice before doing so! In many cases, the risks may […]
Common courtesy: How to promote civility in community associations
Raised voices, reddened faces, and angry gestures. You might think you are watching a congressional hearing on C-SPAN, but you are at your community’s board meeting. The erosion of civility in our society has begun to manifest itself in private residential communities. This comes in many forms—from rudeness and disruptive behavior at meetings to more […]
Do you have Difficult People in your Condo or HOA?
Do you have difficult people in your condo or HOA? It seems that these days the loudest voice will win an argument. Who’s right or wrong doesn’t matter, it’s all about intimidation. People with a chip on their shoulders will always make their presence known in your condo or HOA. This is not a new […]
Relations in Associations: Symbiosis Between HOAs and Homeowners
Like any other organization, homeowners associations rely on people to make decisions and perform organizational functions. For important constitutional matters like amending an association’s declaration of covenants, this usually means a vote of all HOA members. But for more day-to-day affairs, an association acts through its board of directors and officers. Read the article…………………
What To Do When Homeowners Are Harassing Board Members
As a board member, you’ve surely seen emotions run high at your association meetings. Whether you lead a condo association or homeowners association, you know the subjects discussed at your meetings involve people’s homes, their quality of life, and their finances—topics that can be tricky to talk about, especially when lots of opinions are present. […]
The Dynamics of Difficult People
We all encounter difficult people in our lives. This is particularly true for property managers. In dealing with difficult people, and in order to maintain your sanity, finding an effective way of dealing with difficult people is critical. Effectiveness in dealing with difficult people begins with understanding the dynamics of the person and situation Read […]
How to Reflect a Positive Community in an Association
In today’s modern, social media-centric world, reputations can be built up or destroyed in an instant. A video clip captured on cell phone of a good Samaritan pulling a trapped puppy to safety from an open drainpipe goes viral and instantly propels them to hero status (at least for their 15 minutes of fame); while […]
Do You Swear to Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth . . .
There are a number of ways an upset homeowner could choose to express their discontent with their association, the board, or another resident. They could raise concerns at a meeting, complain in writing, or even run for the board to try to make policy changes. Instead, unfortunately, sometimes they choose to interrupt, disrupt, shout over […]
Managing Mental Health Issues: Addressing Residents With Sensitivity (NY)
Running a community association requires boards and managers to work with people from all walks of life, including those who have unique experiences, wants, needs, and challenges. That may also apply to people with behavioral or mental health issues. In some cases, a resident may be quite open with neighbors and others about a diagnosis […]
When Condo Boards and Residents Clash, Legal Bills Mount (NY)
My mother-in-law recently regaled me with a tale of intrigue, money and power in her South Florida homeowners association. Seeking to raise about $6 million to refurbish the 20-year-old community, the association’s board had voted to assess each homeowner $7,000. But a group of vocal residents fought back, setting up a power struggle. Read the […]
The Right Approach to Violation Disputes | Part 2 of 2
Another major source of disputes, especially during issues of violation resolution, relate to changing the rules. Every homeowner in your HOA is held to the same standard, but they also have a right to take action and change what those standards are. That is supposed to be the major benefit of living in an HOA, […]
How To De-escalate a Confrontational Exchange
Why do so many interactions these days become heated? Are people just meaner than they used to be? Have we lost our ability to be tolerant of one another? And, if so, what can we do about it? In today’s society, it seems we are not only entitled to our opinion, but everyone else is […]
Honest About HOAs (survey)
Homeowners associations (or HOAs) are supposed to exist to make our lives easier. Don’t want to mow your lawn or deal with noisy neighbors? Typically for a monthly fee, HOAs provide property maintenance and a code of rules meant to provide a uniform look and feel to a community. Sometimes, though, these codes can cause […]
Sticks and Stones
As HOA industry professionals, there are many positive aspects to our occupation. We work with a diverse group of people, take fulfillment from helping volunteer boards, and are happy when we solve problems through creativity. Unfortunately, there are situations that can become difficult. Most association managers (“Manager”) have had some experience dealing with abusive homeowners […]
Neighbor to Neighbor Disputes and HOA Involvement
Occasionally, neighbor-to-neighbor disputes will occur between homeowners in your HOA. As a board member, what is your role in the resolution of such matters? Should you even get involved? It’s not uncommon for homeowners in these situations to seek intervention from the board and, while most of these issues involve matters that are addressed in […]
It’s Time to Change the Message (Part 2)
Let’s say you did everything recommended in last week’s blog. You have great rules and have done a masterful job communicating them to your members. Bravo! Yet, despite best intentions and practice, someone’s gonna blow it. Reflecting back to last week’s Catholic imagery, whether it be an innocent sin of omission or a more brazen […]
Building Trust with Homeowners as an HOA Board Member
As a board member, it’s important to build relationships with community members based on trust and transparency. Although there are times when confidentiality is called for, the benefits of HOA transparency – increased homeowner involvement, reduced conflict, and confidence in the board’s decisions – cannot be overlooked. Read the article………………..
Elevator Pitch
I recently read an article published by U.S. News & World Report titled, How to Win a Fight With your Condo Association – Without Going Broke by Teresa Mears. The article includes some solid guidance. A more accurate but less flashy title might have been – How to influence Association Policy – Without a Fight. […]
Biscotti Diplomacy: Never underestimate the value of a face-to-face apology. Baked goods help, too
When I bought my first home in 2016, the townhouse complex I moved into seemed like a paradise on earth. The neighbors were friendly, the homeowners association was efficient but not overbearing, and the wooded setting at the base of a mountain seemed made for brisk walks and amateur observations of the native flora and […]
Helping Out Unhappy Homeowners in Your HOA
Discontent can become a major distraction for your community. Helping an unhappy homeowner in any setting can be a real challenge. But in a homeowner association, where the person who is displeased is your neighbor, there exists an entirely new level of concern. But, the bottom line is, unhappy homeowners often just need to be […]
How Do We Change the Attitude of Homeowner Apathy in an HOA?
Homeowner apathy is a question we are asked by numerous Boards, and we can all agree, it is a universal problem. Board members should remember that the majority of people do inherently care about their association so they should not feel discouraged. Homeowners simply need certain pushes or opportunities to be placed in front of […]
Dealing With Difficult People In Your Homeowner’s Association
Living in a homeowner association, there is likelihood of running into someone that is, how should we say it, less than happy. We all have to deal with difficult people at some point. Some focus on what they don’t like about a person (loudmouth, condescending tone, etc) and then hope they will change. Not surprisingly, […]
Tips for HOA Board Members to Set Boundaries with Homeowners
As a volunteer of the Board of Directors, you have the opportunity to help the homeowners in your community through issues that impact one of their biggest investments. Unfortunately, at times, owners forget that you are a volunteer of the Board and not a full-time employee. It’s very important to set boundaries with homeowners and […]
National Night Out for Community Associations: Your Ticket to Community Partnership
National Night Out: it’s one of the biggest community-building events of the year. While the rest of the nation typically celebrates National Night Out in August, throughout Texas and Florida, this event is held on the first Tuesday in October. If your community association hasn’t participated in the past, it’s a great time to start […]
Owner Participation at an Association Board Meeting – The Fine Art of Herding Cats
Here is part three of the on-going conversation about keeping order and control in association board meetings, and getting the business done. This time, the focus is on participation of members in an association board meeting. In recent years, I am sorry to say I have attended too many association board meetings where an off […]
3 Tips for Effective Covenant Compliance
It’s a topic of discussion at every Board meeting – who’s following the rules and who isn’t. People choose to live in community associations because they want to preserve their property values, but if the board and management aren’t enforcing rules uniformly, success will be an uphill battle. And on top of this frustration is […]
Above the Law: Why Homeowners Try to Skirt the Rules
You’ve seen it more times than you can count: rebellious homeowners living on the edge (or over the edge) of the HOA rules. While “rebellious” is probably a strong word in most cases, you are faced with a dilemma either way. You have to enforce HOA rules, but you don’t want to seem like the […]
How to Handle a Bully in Your Community
Search the term “bullying” on the internet and an array of corresponding stories and images will appear ranging from politicians to school accounts and social media trolls. Recognizing, understanding, and managing bullies has become even more important as the internet has added an additional platform for bullies to practice their power dynamic and attacks. Regardless […]
Conflicting Interests Lead To Disputes That Erupt At HOA Meetings
“O brave new world that has such people in it!” These immortal words from Shakespeare’s The Tempest aptly describe homeowner associations. Conflicting interests can lead to disputes that erupt at meetings. To control such outlandish behavior, HOA meetings are well served by using a parliamentary procedure such as Robert’s Rules of Order which allow a […]
Harassment in Associations – Boards Must Act
It has been illegal for a condominium board to discriminate against a unit owner on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability. What if a resident complains that other residents or even board members are the resident because of membership in one of these groups? In the past, a […]
Dealing with Difficult Residents
At some point, every community will face conflict and difficult people. When this occurs, remember that patience and communication always prevail. By managing your reactions, listening and asking the right questions, your community and board will come to a resolution. The first way to deal with conflict is to understand the different types of behavior […]
Strategies for Handling HOA Neighborhood Disputes
In every community, there comes a time where there might be a neighbor-to-neighbor dispute. Typically, these differences stem from a noise complaint, landscaping violations, parking violations or a misuse of a common area. In every instance, it is the hope of the Association that the neighbors can resolve the conflict themselves, but in some cases, […]
Handling Touchy Complaints in Co-Ops and Condos: It’s About Sense and Sensitivity
Conflict comes hand-in-hand with living in close quarters. Such is the nature of condominium and cooperative living. Some dust-ups between neighbors are settled with a polite conversation, or a mild nudge from the condo or co-op board. Others can get out of hand, and in extreme cases be dragged out for years via the courts. […]
Dealing With Difficult People in Your HOA
Dealing with difficult people in any setting can be a real challenge. But in volunteer-based homeowner associations, where there is none of the leverage managers have with employees, there is an entirely new level of difficulty. And, believe it or not, a new level of opportunity. The key is common interest. Where we live means […]
Wearing the right hat: Managing condo owners’ expectations
Picture this: It’s a sunny Saturday morning, and a condo board director has just stepped out to grab the morning paper before settling in for a relaxing breakfast. As she turns to go back inside, a neighbor starts a long-winded rant about the most recent condo board decision. Sound familiar? For condo board directors, chances […]
3 Useful Tips on How to Deal With a HOA Resident Like Donald Trump
Don’t get us wrong. We’re not taking any political positions. It’s just the reality of living in a multi residential community. We live with all sorts of people and among them are those who exhibit strong personality quirks like The Donald. It’s important for community managers and board members to be able to deal with […]
How to Start a Community Garden
A community garden can be a great way to boost community interaction and give everyone something to share. If you’re considering starting a community garden in your HOA, check out these how-to tips. Before you run out and start planting a community garden, find out if anyone else is even interested. While a garden seems […]
Home-Based Businesses: Challenges for Today’s Co-ops, Condos and HOAs
According to U.S. Small Business Administration statistics, over half of all small businesses begun in the last decade have been home-based—that’s more than 38 million in real numbers—with a new home-based business being launched every 12 seconds. Home-based businesses (HBB) earn more than $427 billion per year. So what businesses can be run from a […]
What an HOA Board Should Do About Bullying in a Homeowners Association
There’s a lot of talk, along with articles and commentary these days about online bullying. This can take place on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. It can take the form of inappropriate pictures that someone secretly takes of others and then posts on the internet or just in the mean and inappropriate communications […]
Community Association Liability – Neighbor to Neighbor Discrimination
There is a dangerous trend being established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) under the Federal Fair Housing Act (the “Act”) and the enforcement of the Act of which community associations must be aware. On April 4, 2016, HUD’s General Counsel issued guidance regarding the application of the Act on the […]
Neutrality
Association boards deal with a variety of unit owner behaviors and personalities. Some are positive, some are negative, and some are downright inexplicable. This can lead to both real and perceived bias. Regardless of the behavior or how much the board likes or dislikes an owner or their actions, the Board has an obligation to […]
Neighbour vs. Neighbour
Lifestyle clashes are inevitable when people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds live on top of each other in a forced community. When different priorities collide, a siege mentality can set in.
Halloween in Condos: It Doesn’t Need to be Frightening?!?
Yes, it is a bit early for this topic, but I love everything about Autumn, including Halloween! If you have any Halloween enthusiasts in your complex you’ll likely see the decorations out in the next few weeks (if your rules allow decorations) so it may be a relevant topic sooner than you think. Read the […]
HOA Generationalizing
Homeowner associations can be a melting pot of age groups which carry unique values and perceptions of the world. At times, these values can clash at the HOA level and the board is challenged to restore balance and harmony with the warring factions. There’s more to it than loud music, wandering pets and illegally parked […]
Dealing with Harassment as a Member of the HOA Board
In a perfect world, an HOA would have regular meetings where members of the community would ask the board questions, raise concerns, and receive regular updates. It would be structured, straightforward, and civilized. Unfortunately, that’s not how most meetings with the board go. Invariably, there will be a homeowner who thinks that their opinion is […]
How to Deal With Upset Residents
Dealing with people who are upset is difficult. It’s easy to let their anger overpower you, causing you to become defensive or just as angry. However, when your residents are complaining about something, it’s not a time to become defensive. You need to acknowledge their complaint and try to do your best to solve it. […]
3 Tips for Handling Owner Concerns
Everyone has concerns and complaints, and when you are part of an HOA board, you are going to hear a lot of them. If your association is getting overwhelmed with trying to respond to every complaint a homeowner has, check out these three tips. Read the article…………..
Which Hat? HOA Board vs. Good Neighbor
Most of us wear many different hats in our daily lives. Perhaps you juggle the hats of a spouse, parent, worker, friend, HOA Board member, neighbor, etc. Keeping your personal and professional lives separate is challenging. Many HOA Board members find it even more difficult to separate Board responsibilities from simply being a homeowner. If […]