Technology Information for Associations
- Artificial Intelligence: Responsible Guidelines for Your HOA March 18, 2024Community association board members and managers should approach the use of artificial intelligence thoughtfully and responsibly. Consider the following: Clearly define objectives. Outline your goals. Whether it’s building community, streamlining processes, or enhancing decision-making, understanding your objectives is essential. Read the article…………………………….
- The FCC Wants to Ban HOAs & Apartments from Forcing People to Pay for Cable TV Internet March 7, 2024One of the last things saving cable TV right now are the millions of people forced to pay for cable TV and Internet through cable companies because they live in an apartment or condo that has a homeowners association (HOA). The FCC has proposed new rules that will make it illegal for HOAs and apartment companies to bundle internet service into their rent or HOA fees. Read the article…………………………….
- Preparing HOAs for the Future: 3 Tech Trends Changing Community Management February 26, 2024Homeowner associations (HOAs) have rapidly grown in popularity over the past few decades. Nearly 30% of American households now live in an HOA community. With this growth comes new opportunities and challenges, especially when it comes to leveraging technology to meet rising homeowner expectations. HOAs that fail to adapt and embrace innovation will quickly fall behind. Read the article…………………………….
- Elevating the Homeowner Experience in Community Association Management February 13, 2024Many factors contribute to how community association management companies can enhance the quality of life for their homeowners and boards. To ensure a positive relationship with their associations, management companies must be mindful of their homeowners’ needs, the role of technology in the relationship, transparent communications strategies, understanding how to solicit and incorporate homeowner feedback, and keep an eye on future trends in the industry. Read the article…………………………….
- What Community Associations Need to Know to Avoid Common Social Media and IT Pitfalls (IL) October 18, 2023Here at LP, we know that community associations, their managers, and boards, are busy trying to run the day-to-day operations of their buildings and communities. With that responsibility comes the need to adapt to ever-changing technologies and the impact of social media on our world. Read the article………………………………..
Internet Articles
- Are E-mail Discussions by HOA Directors Aloud? (CA) October 28, 2023Below is a helpful tip from the Davis-Stirling.com Newsletter by ADAMS | STIRLING PLC regarding the directors having discussions in emails. It reads as follows . . . Seventeen years ago, the Open Meeting Act for HOA meetings went into effect. Everyone assumed that emails among a quorum of directors constituted a board meeting and was not allowed. Read the article……………………………..
- Palm Beach webpage explains new condo-inspection law after Miami collapse (FL) October 17, 2023In an effort to inform residents about new state legislation that requires aging condominium buildings to be inspected by licensed engineers and architects, the town has published a new webpage with details of the law. Read the article………………………………..
- ‘My internet was shut off’: Entire community left without service, caught in middle of legal fight (FL) October 17, 2023The Seasons at Spring Creek community in Lake County is now in its final phase of construction. Arlene Fernandez bought her home in 2021 while relocating from south Florida. She was excited about the promise of high-speed internet with fiber-optic lines throughout the community. Read the article……………………………..
- Best HOA & Condo Websites for your Association March 15, 2023A website is a handy tool for any homeowners association. It defines how a community interacts with its residents and eases communication. What’s more? An HOA website makes it easy to access community rules and improves transparency between the residents and the management. Read the article………………………..
- Why Condo and Co-op Boards Should Reconsider Cable Bulk Agreements (NY) March 12, 2023As a co-op and condo efficiency consultant, we analyze our clients’ operating expense and income line items as well as their contracts. When we hear that they are in a cable bulk agreement, we immediately review it to get the end date so that we can cancel it at the earliest possible date. Why? Because it’s a losing proposition that is very expensive for most buildings. Read the article………………………..
Web Sites
- Are E-mail Discussions by HOA Directors Aloud? (CA) October 28, 2023Below is a helpful tip from the Davis-Stirling.com Newsletter by ADAMS | STIRLING PLC regarding the directors having discussions in emails. It reads as follows . . . Seventeen years ago, the Open Meeting Act for HOA meetings went into effect. Everyone assumed that emails among a quorum of directors constituted a board meeting and was not allowed. Read the article……………………………..
- Palm Beach webpage explains new condo-inspection law after Miami collapse (FL) October 17, 2023In an effort to inform residents about new state legislation that requires aging condominium buildings to be inspected by licensed engineers and architects, the town has published a new webpage with details of the law. Read the article………………………………..
- ‘My internet was shut off’: Entire community left without service, caught in middle of legal fight (FL) October 17, 2023The Seasons at Spring Creek community in Lake County is now in its final phase of construction. Arlene Fernandez bought her home in 2021 while relocating from south Florida. She was excited about the promise of high-speed internet with fiber-optic lines throughout the community. Read the article……………………………..
- Best HOA & Condo Websites for your Association March 15, 2023A website is a handy tool for any homeowners association. It defines how a community interacts with its residents and eases communication. What’s more? An HOA website makes it easy to access community rules and improves transparency between the residents and the management. Read the article………………………..
- Why Condo and Co-op Boards Should Reconsider Cable Bulk Agreements (NY) March 12, 2023As a co-op and condo efficiency consultant, we analyze our clients’ operating expense and income line items as well as their contracts. When we hear that they are in a cable bulk agreement, we immediately review it to get the end date so that we can cancel it at the earliest possible date. Why? Because it’s a losing proposition that is very expensive for most buildings. Read the article………………………..
Social Media Articles
- Navigating Defamation Lawsuits and Non-Compete Clauses (FL) February 14, 2024The 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…………………………..
- What Community Associations Need to Know to Avoid Common Social Media and IT Pitfalls (IL) October 18, 2023Here at LP, we know that community associations, their managers, and boards, are busy trying to run the day-to-day operations of their buildings and communities. With that responsibility comes the need to adapt to ever-changing technologies and the impact of social media on our world. Read the article………………………………..
- Social Media in Your Community (TX) July 19, 2023Throughout 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 15 years with the rise of social media. Now, the barriers are virtually gone. But what does that mean for our community associations? Should community ...
- Social Media in Your Community (TX) June 28, 2023Throughout 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 15 years with the rise of social media. Read the article………………………..
- ‘HOA Chronicles’ parody videos hit a nerve, draw blowback against Cibolo city council candidate May 3, 2023ACibolo 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. Read the article………………………..
Drones
- Tips for Setting A Fair and Safe HOA Drone Policy July 1, 2023Crafting a fair and safe HOA drone policy requires careful consideration of the challenges and opportunities presented by this evolving technology. Balancing the concerns of privacy, noise, and safety while harnessing the potential benefits of drones can be a complex task for HOA boards. Read the article………………………..
- Using Drones for Inspections (CA) August 27, 2022Drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems, are nearly everywhere. Advances in technology have made drones smaller, cheaper, and easier to use, and therefore more accessible to average users. As drones become more accessible, community associations may wonder whether drones may be used to help conduct inspections of common area components. Read the article………………………..
- Drone Surveillance in Community Associations May 25, 2022Ah, spring. Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and the sound of power saws, stone cutters and earth moving equipment fills the air. This country is in the midst of a construction boom, and more homeowners than ever before are undertaking home improvement projects. In community associations, these improvements usually require some type of architectural approval to make certain that, once constructed, the new pool, patio or pergola will be aesthetically pleasing and harmonious with surrounding structures Read the entire ...
- Fire Technology: Champlain Towers South Collapse: Drones’ Value Soars April 18, 2022Charles Werner spoke to numerous people who responded to the condominium collapse to learn that unmanned aerial systems were crucial to the effort in many ways. Read the entire article……………………………….
- Drones in Community Associations: Five Considerations (IL) June 9, 2021With companies such as Amazon, Google and UPS ramping up testing of drone delivery technology, it is certain that community associations will feel the impact of this new technology in the relatively near future. Read the entire article……………………………….
- Drones In Your Community (FL) December 16, 2020The growing use of drones across the United States is leading to the adoption of new rules and restrictions by the federal government, state governments and community associations. Questions regarding safety, property damage and privacy are forcing community associations to establish clear parameters for their use by unit owners. Read the article……………………………….
- Drones and 3D Property Reconstructions for Homeowners Associations (CO) October 24, 2020For HOA’s, it can be very useful to have a tool to document a house or property to view later. Often, this would entail just taking photographs of anything relevant or particularly specific on a property. However, photos can only get you so far. Say perhaps you want to have a measurement on a wall or area but it was not documented on your initial inspection, or maybe you want to look at the roof closer but it was either ...
- Is It Legal To Fly Drones In HOA Communities? June 11, 2020Drones in HOA communities are becoming more and more common, but these unmanned aircraft can pose serious concerns among residents. The first step in managing drones in your HOA is to know what the law says about them. Read the article…………………………….