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Community Associations Network
- April 19, 2016
51 views 57 sec

Just try saying that five times fast. Not only is it a serious mouthful, it also carries serious legal obligations and potential consequences. As board members, your community has entrusted you with the “power” to make decisions on their behalf and in the best interest of the community. It is your obligation to remove your […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- April 9, 2016
12 views 20 sec

Being on a homeowners association board means volunteering your time for best of your whole community. It can be an incredibly fulfilling role, but it involves dealing with differences in opinion and finding times to get everyone together.   Read the article…………

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Community Associations Network
- April 7, 2016
10 views 34 sec

Earlier this year, state Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron awarded a co-op shareholder named Susan Reinhard the staggering sum of $120,000 in back maintenance, plus interest and attorney’s fees. Reinhard claimed in a lawsuit that the co-op board at Connaught Tower at 300 E. 54th Street did nothing to prevent second-hand smoke from wafting into […]

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Community Associations Network
- April 4, 2016
14 views 40 sec

Drones. Everyone has heard of them. No one is sure what to make of them. Are they destined to be the scourge of the skies? Or are they simply a brilliant convenience that will allow regular folks to complete everyday tasks from the comfort of their computers? While the jury is still out, and will […]

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Community Associations Network
- April 2, 2016
14 views 26 sec

How you handle your HOA reserve funds really makes a difference in the successful running of your association. The quality of the strategic planning of your homeowners association can actually make or break your community. It’s also really important to the longevity and future investments of your association.       Read the article…………….

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Community Associations Network
- April 1, 2016
13 views 22 sec

Neighborhoods with HOAs are often very secure places in which to live. However, there are a lot of pitfalls that can affect your neighborhood’s security, making it more vulnerable. Check out these four tips to help keep your neighborhood safe.   Read the article……………

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Community Associations Network
- March 31, 2016
14 views 27 sec

The directors of Florida community association are obligated to discharge their responsibilities to the community in good faith. Board decisions are generally protected by the “business judgment rule” and the theory behind the business judgment rule is that Courts should not substitute their judgment for the judgment of the elected or appointed board members.

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Community Associations Network
- March 29, 2016
11 views 30 sec

In Michigan, when a developer creates a condominium, the developer is required to record a master deed. Pursuant to MCL 559.108, the master deed and condominium subdivision plan must identify the total number of units in the project and assign a percentage of value to each unit. However, the initial configuration of the condominium is […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 22, 2016
18 views 33 sec

Once all of the necessary parties have been added to the proceeding and some basic discovery has been conducted, the Board will need to prepare for significant settlement discussions.  Up to this point, the Board likely knows there are significant defects but likely doesn’t have a real concrete understanding of what is causing the problem […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 21, 2016
15 views 28 sec

Condominium associations are solely dependent upon the collection of assessments from its members for their survival and to purchase and provide the goods and services necessary for the maintenance of the project for the benefit of its members. Thus, when a Co-owner files bankruptcy, there is an understandable feeling that all is lost.    Read […]

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Community Associations Network
- March 21, 2016
18 views 17 sec

Repairs and maintenance are part of owning any property. However, for homeowners who live in a neighborhood with an HOA, knowing who is responsible for those repairs may become a little confusing.  Read the article………….

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Community Associations Network
- March 16, 2016
14 views 26 sec

They’ve become impossible to miss in cities such as Toronto and Vancouver: giant condo towers that soar higher than even Bay Street’s bank towers. But the building industry’s fixation with glass-walled apartments is a looming energy efficiency nightmare, says one of Canada’s leading building-code experts.   Read the article…………..

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 15, 2016
21 views 18 sec

A tiny political sign triggered a giant-sized dispute in a Colorado condominium, when the association manager said the sign violated an association rule governing common area displays and told the residents to remove it.  Read the article…………

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 15, 2016
15 views 30 sec

A number of years ago (2005) I wrote and article for the CCI Vancouver newsletter called….A Day in the Life…..which laid out a similar timetable but 11 years later I can say that things have not changed much. I have personally been working in the Condos Industry since May 1990 and became an RCM (Registered […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 11, 2016
39 views 33 sec

As the weather becomes warmer here in Michigan, many homeowners or co-owners undergo the yearly “Spring Cleaning.” Unfortunately, many condominium associations in Michigan face co-owners, tenants or residents who do not maintain the same sanitary living space as their neighbors. At the extreme, hoarders may fill units and/or limited common elements with debris, combustible material, […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 9, 2016
11 views 25 sec

In 2014, more than 10,000 plug-in cars were on the road in New York State. That number is projected to triple by 2018 and reach 1 million by 2025. It would be natural for an enterprising co-op or condo board to sense an opportunity. After all, someone has to charge all those cars.   Read the […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 8, 2016
13 views 44 sec

A building’s roof serves as the first line of defense against whatever the skies throw at its inhabitants—wind, rain and blazing sun, even snow and ice in some climates—so it’s crucial for that roof to be sound and well maintained. All it takes is one small crack or hole for the rainwater to get in […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 8, 2016
14 views 29 sec

FHA loans are government-insured housing loans that make it easier for people with low credit, low income or a high debt-to-income ratio to get a home loan. The Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2015 is an act that suggests making changes to these FHA rules in regards to condos. Check out these three important […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 8, 2016
13 views 32 sec

For many, the essence of winter is curling up next to the warmth of a crackling fireplace while enjoying the sights of the snow-dusted scenery outside. Unless of course you live in a Arizona or Texas, in which case it’s much less likely that your home will have a fireplace. If you do have a […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 8, 2016
12 views 22 sec

There’s only one thing left to do in the controversy over whether Colorado should back off requiring homebuilders to stand behind the condos they build and end so-called construction defect laws: Call it the total bull crap that it is.    Read the article…………

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 6, 2016
18 views 30 sec

Board members come together from vastly different backgrounds to focus on the common goal of serving their community. Some are inclined to research the smallest decision while others make decisions based on experience. This diversity helps bring different perspectives to the table for better decision-making. Regardless of their approach, Board members should share some core […]

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Community Associations Network
- March 6, 2016
11 views 26 sec

The 1,000 or so residents of Mayfair on the Green responded to skyrocketing waste fees with a multi-pronged diversion campaign. They turned the garbage chute into an organics collector, tapped city educational tools including multilingual signs and cut trash output to one dumpster every two months from one dumpster every week.   Read the article…………

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Community Associations Network
- March 5, 2016
11 views 43 sec

When it comes to excuses and denial, pet owners can be even worse than doting parents. It’s never the dog or cat’s fault – there’s always some factor other than the bleeding obvious.  “I am being slowly driven out by my neighbour’s dog’s barking,” writes Dog Dodger on the Flat Chat forum. “I live in […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 4, 2016
18 views 36 sec

A well-run condominium can be thought of as having two components: (1) physical assets, which are the buildings, structures, and grounds on which the condominium is located; and (2) financial assets, which are the funds necessary to maintain the condominium’s physical assets. So long as the financial assets are adequate to meet the maintenance needs […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 4, 2016
13 views 33 sec

We are often asked whether a condominium association may prohibit cigarette smoking in common areas, or in units or single family homes. Now that using marijuana is legal in Oregon and Washington, some associations are wondering if they can or should specifically ban marijuana usage too. There are several things to consider. Here are a […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 3, 2016
22 views 30 sec

Social media can be a great tool for any association, but only when used correctly. If you never post anything or only post basic information about HOAs in general, your homeowners won’t be interested. You need to make your accounts more personal and fun. Check out these three tips that can boost homeowner interest and […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 2, 2016
12 views 19 sec

Commotion in the night, clomping of feet and chatter of strangers in the hallways due to a “revolving door” of Airbnb tenants has become cause for concern among Edmonton’s condo-dwellers, according to lawyer Robert Noce.     Read the article…………..

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- March 2, 2016
16 views 27 sec

In a decision that’s sure to fuel the smoking debate in every co-op in the city, a state Supreme Court judge has awarded more than $120,000 in back maintenance, interest and attorney fees to a co-op shareholder who claimed that smoke from other apartments had permeated her unit and rendered it uninhabitable.    Read the […]

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Community Associations Network
- March 1, 2016
13 views 36 sec

A quandry that homeowner associations face is how implement security measures when a known violent resident exists. The board has a conundrum: Fail to inform residents about a violent resident who subsequently injures someone and the board is held responsible. Inform residents of a violent resident who subsequently files suit against the HOA for libel […]

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Community Associations Network
- March 1, 2016
12 views 35 sec

Your association board is planning for the big project on the horizon, and is currently reviewing how to finance it. For several reasons, you don’t believe you’ll have enough funds in the association’s operating budget or reserves to cover the project’s entire bill. What should you do? Split the project up over several years, levy […]

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Community Associations Network
- March 1, 2016
11 views 36 sec

Some may think of condo budget review as a yawn fest; however, others may spend hours working out the smallest of details. That’s because a budget is basically a financial plan — not sexy, but extremely important in the condominium industry. Budgeting is so important that the Condominium Act requires all corporations to maintain an […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 27, 2016
10 views 41 sec

When you own a house, you are responsible for everything, and everything is on your schedule. You make the rules, you make the repairs and you mow the lawn. You decide when to paint the house or change the filters, and you decide where to park your bike.  But when you own a condo, someone […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 26, 2016
13 views 15 sec

In a recent Ontario case, TSCC No. 2032 v. Boudair, tenants of a condominium unit were held responsible for their violation of the condominium corporation’s rules regarding smoking.   Read the article…………

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Community Associations Network
- February 26, 2016
24 views 29 sec

Can snakes, the animal commonly known for instilling panic upon sight, actually help to ease anxiety? According to snake owner Darla McGinnis, they can.  WCVB-Channel 5 (ABC) in Boston recently covered a story about McGinnis and her fight with the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa, which currently has a ban on its residents having snakes […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 26, 2016
17 views 28 sec

In 2003, the Florida Legislature enacted 718.112(2)(l) as a statutory scheme to require the retrofitting of fire sprinklers for residential condominiums. The statute first began specified that the condominium association may not vote to forego such retrofitting with a fire sprinkler system of common areas in “high-rise building” which was defined as “greater than 75 […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 26, 2016
24 views 30 sec

Crime is a concern and a risk in any homeowners association. But incorporating certain trusted systems, such as a neighborhood watch, can ensure that your community stays collectively alert and focused on safety. To both deter crime and increase safety, your association should consider setting up a neighborhood watch program. Here are some tips for […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 25, 2016
15 views 42 sec

This week, we discuss how to react if you do not bulletproof your HOA against embezzlement and discover your HOA is the victim of fraud. Finding the proper authority to investigate allegations of fraud can prove to be extremely difficult. If your association has been a victim of the “condo confidence game,” gather as much […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 25, 2016
9 views 32 sec

It seems that every co-op and condo building has at least one: the bad apple, the shareholder or unit-owner who turns life sour for everyone else. Co-op boards have a powerful weapon in the battle against problem shareholders – eviction for objectionable conduct – but before going nuclear, boards should take three simple steps: study […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- February 25, 2016
13 views 34 sec

Many HOA Board members don’t fully understand the legal obligations that come with serving their community. You rarely see one document that completely lists all responsibilities. State law may determine some. Governing documents outline others. And other regulations can further complicate the question. It’s little wonder that a lot of confusion surrounds legal obligations. Here’s […]

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FEATURED
Community Associations Network
- February 25, 2016
15 views 21 sec

There’s a nasty little turf war going on in the Shining Valley. It’s all about power and control issues, jurisdictional disputes, and of course, squabbles about errant deposits of doggie doo-doo. Welcome to the Squamish condo scene, folks    Read the article………

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Community Associations Network
- February 24, 2016
16 views 31 sec

Condominium associations and homeowner associations (HOA) are abundant in Florida. These types of associations are typically governed by declarations/covenants and restrictions, as well as bylaws and articles of incorporation (collectively referred to in this post as the governing documents). These associations are also governed by detailed provisions of the Florida Statutes. Chapter 718 (condominiums) and […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 23, 2016
13 views 35 sec

The bylaws of many condominiums authorize the board of managers to impose fines for violations of the rules and regula­tions, and also authorize the collection of late fees for failure to pay the common charges on time. However, recent court cases have set limits on the amount of these fines and late fees, even refusing […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 23, 2016
15 views 22 sec

Even the most beautiful home in the most serene town can become a nightmare if you live next door to the wrong kind of people. And dealing with nasty neighbors can be enough to drive even the most peaceable person to distraction.    Read the article………..

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Community Associations Network
- February 23, 2016
13 views 35 sec

The first thing to remember when living in an association is that you are a neighbor to someone. If nothing else, your neighbors all likely share at least one common desire: to live in your community. Owners may have bought in the community for its location to certain schools, the layout of the homes, its […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 23, 2016
15 views 27 sec

As a member of a volunteer homeowner association board, it’s important to codify the goals and behaviors an effective director should strive for. It not only serves as a constant reminder for those that are serving but can also help screen out director candidates with hidden agendas. Consider adopting something like this:   Read the article……….

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Community Associations Network
- February 22, 2016
28 views 33 sec

Every property management company has strengths and weaknesses. Some have a national presence but little understanding of local challenges. Some offer more boutique-style service but simply don’t have the resources and manpower to provide consistently high service levels and tools your community requires, resulting in burnout and high manager turnover. And some are the perfect […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 22, 2016
14 views 26 sec

Many property owners’ associations across North Carolina are faced with the annual challenge of clearing snow and ice from the community’s roads, sidewalks, and other common areas. Assuming there is no specific guidance in the community’s governing documents, what is a property owners’ association’s responsibility for clearing snow and ice?   Read the article…………

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Community Associations Network
- February 22, 2016
12 views 28 sec

A group of condo owners in Richmond has won the right to take their case to the Human Rights Tribunal. They’re angry their strata meetings are being held in mandarin only. And even though most of the owners are mandarin speaking, the others say they have a right to know what’s going on.     Read […]

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Community Associations Network
- February 19, 2016
17 views 22 sec

The Supreme Court of Rhode Island supports the homeowner’s association “super priority” concept, making The Ocean State part of a growing list of states that are, in some fashion, ruling in favor of making HOA liens a priority above mortgage liens.     Read the article………..

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Community Associations Network
- February 19, 2016
11 views 18 sec

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has accepted a complaint filed by seven condo owners in Richmond, B.C., who say their strata council has been conducting meetings in Mandarin only since July.   Read the article………….

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