As a volunteer Board Member, you have made a selfless decision to donate your valuable time for the betterment of your community and its residents. You are an inspiration to many, including our team at PMP, and you make our job as managing agent truly rewarding. Read the entire article……………………………….
5 Tips for Success When Transitioning an HOA Board
Let’s face it! Change is inevitable, and after a successful tenure, a new HOA board should come to play. So, if you’re a major player in your community and looking to transition HOA board members, we got your back. Read the entire article……………………………….
13 Common Homeowners Association Problems And How To Address Them
Running an HOA community is no walk in the park. As a member serving on your HOA board, homeowners association problems just come with the territory. But, that doesn’t mean you should leave these problems to fester. Read the entire article……………………………….
Can a Board of Directors Make Decisions for the HOA by Unanimous Emails? (VA)
Condominium and HOA leaders usually expect the owners and tenants to do what they tell them to do, and often struggle to back down when their authority is questioned. At the same time, boards and committees like to make decisions that affect others without being monitored or disclosing what was done. I recently published an […]
7 Actions Your HOA Board Can Take to Prevent Burnout
Serving on your homeowners’ association’s (HOA’s) board of directors is an important job that comes with a lot of responsibility. Board members are tasked with everything from preserving the financial health of the association and enforcing rules to attending meetings and maintaining overall operations—and it’s easy for these duties to pile up and become exhausting. […]
7 Reasons Why HOA Board Training Is Fundamental
Without sufficient knowledge of how to do your job, it is nearly impossible to do it well. The same principle applies to board members of a homeowners association. HOA board training, while often overlooked, is an essential aspect of successful association management. Read the entire article……………………………….
Board Basics 101: What Every Board Member Needs to Know
“Community Association” is the generic term for communities that are created pursuant to recorded covenants or other documents that create an association of the unit or homeowners. The term community association includes condominiums, homeowner associations, and housing cooperatives. These are typically organized as non-profit corporations. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Volunteer Standard of Care: 5 Layers of Immunity to Litigation
While being an HOA board director is a fulfilling responsibility, it comes with downsides. Among those is a vulnerability to lawsuits. Homeowners are allowed to sue their homeowners association if they fail to perform their duties and obligations under the community governing documents, or if they violate local or federal laws. For example, if the […]
Should Emails Between Board Members & Managers Be Considered Official Records Subject to Members Inspection? (FL)
In today’s instant world, email allows us to express our thoughts anytime, anywhere. So often, emails serve as a substitute for making phone calls. If a phone call is made from a board member to a manager, absent a deposition of either party or a contemporaneous note documenting the conversation, the content of the communication […]
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest by Association Boards (FL)
Under Florida law, condominium association (“CA”) board of directors members and homeowners’ association (“HOA”) board of directors members owe fiduciary duties to their associations and the unit or home owners they serve. This generally means that directors must place the interests of the association above their own self-interest and take actions they reasonably believe will […]
The Ethical Dilemmas of Community Association Insurance
The procurement and maintenance of Insurance in the community association industry is shrouded in unique ethical considerations that do not apply to individual insurance consumers. Enter the Community Association Board’s (“Board”) “fiduciary Duty.” This process is imbued with inherent ethical considerations for not only Boards, but also Community Association Managers (“CAMs”), Community Association Attorneys, Community […]
When Does a Board Member’s Financial Interest in a Transaction Cross the Line? (CO)
Board members come from all walks of life and have a variety of connections or expertise that may overlap with the needs of their associations. Sometimes this works to the association’s benefit. It may also work to the board member’s benefit. Any board member who will or may receive a financial benefit or interest from […]
Welcome to the Board! How to Get New Board Members Up-to-Speed
Congratulations! You have just welcomed a new member to your co-op or condo board. Hopefully their skills, ideas, and experiences can add a fresh perspective to meetings and contribute to the board in exciting new ways. As many co-op and condo residents know, serving on the board can be a big time commitment and feel […]
Should Your Community Association Enforce Board Member Term Limits? (TX)
Deciding whether our HOA should enforce term limits on board members is not always an easy decision to make. Moreover, many states have laws in place that either requires board members to have a term limit on their services or prohibit HOA/community organizations from setting term limits on board members. Knowing the laws in your […]
Why Board Training is Important
HOA board members are valuable community volunteers with a very important job. As homeowners with various educational and employment backgrounds, it is critical that volunteer board members are trained and educated properly before they make decisions on behalf of the community. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA/COA Boards Term Limits: Everything You Need to Know
The stability of a Condominium Owners Association (COA) or Homeowners Association (HOA) ensures a decent environment and proper maintenance of properties within the community. It’s advisable to change the board members regularly to improve accountability and offer a different approach to service delivery. As such, HOAs/COAs should hold elections regularly to fill in vacant board […]
What Now, Karen?
Karens became famous in 2020. If you don’t know what a Karen is, it’s a special breed of entitled person. Karen hates everything and everyone, including your dog, trees, the association, and association assessments. She’s a stickler for rules, but they don’t apply to her. A meme was going around social media recently stating that […]
Five Ways to Ensure Effective Communication Between Board Members (IL)
Condominium, homeowner (HOA), townhome association board members are neighbors, volunteers, and members of their community. Since they must work together in order to manage association business, chemistry and communication among board members is critical. Read the entire article……………………………….
Managing the Pandemic: Boards Must Balance Compassion With Their Fiduciary Obligations to Protect the Community (MA)
Condominium owners must pay their common area fees. This is not a stop-the-presses revelation. It is a statement of principle, embodied in governing documents and affirmed by countless court decisions over the past 25 years. But the coronavirus pandemic, which has tested so many assumptions, is also challenging this one. Read the entire article……………………………….
5 Common HOA Board Mistakes and How to Avoid Them (IL)
The HOA board of your building has a number of responsibilities: planning budgets, monitoring financial reports, updating insurance policies, and enforcing rules. There are times when all of this can become a challenge for the HOA, resulting in mistakes and problems in building operations. Read on to find out about five of the most common […]
One Woman’s Journey from El Paso to a Rockaway Beach Condo Board (NY)
“New York is so hectic,” says Arellano, 53, who earned a bachelor’s degree from John Jay College, a law degree from Brooklyn Law School and a master’s degree in accounting from Baruch College after her discharge from the Army. “When I walked into my apartment the first time I went straight to the balcony and […]
Lonely Leaders of Co-ops & Condos (NY)
Being the president of the co-op or condo board can not only feel like a thankless position, but in many ways like a one man show. The president has the final signature, and while the entire board may technically be responsible for certain aspects of the running of the board, the final responsibility (or ‘fault’ […]
North Star: The one question every board member should be asking
Homeowners associations are representative democracies where powers are delegated to elected officials (the board of directors) and limited powers are reserved to the membership. In this governing model, the answer to a simple question can serve as a board member’s North Star: What is best for the community? Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Board Continuity Planning for Self-Managed Communities
Homeowners associations usually fall under one of two categories: Self-managed communities and professionally managed communities. A professionally managed community is exactly as it sounds. It is a homeowners association that receives assistance from an HOA management company so that the board’s workload is lightened. Read the entire article……………………………….
Reminders for Condominiums and Homeowners’ Associations: People Coming Out of Their Homes Edition (PA)
Now that the weather is warming, residents are taking to the sidewalks, walking trails and open spaces of their Community Associations. Here are some reminders for property managers and board members. Read the entire article……………………………….
Being Threatened With Legal Action? What Community Association Board Members Can Do To Protect Themselves (NC)
For homeowner association volunteers, a very real concern is the possibility of legal threats that may be levelled against the board. In a recent “Ask the Experts” webinar, Attorney Chris Gelwicks provided information on what community association board members should do when faced with threats of litigation from homeowners. Read the article……………………………………
Becoming an HOA Board Member
Becoming an HOA board member is a great way to be more active in your community. Depending on what your bylaws state, your HOA board may consist of the HOA officers which are the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These positions offer unique attributes, powers, and contributions that benefit the community as a whole. […]
HOA Board Member Recalls: What You Need to Know
Homeowners Association (HOA) board recalls are rare, and when they do happen, it is crucial to ensure they proceed according to the association’s bylaws and state laws. These laws provide the basis to determine whether a recall is necessary and how to conduct it. Read the article………………………………
Filling a Board Vacancy after Resignation (AZ)
Here’s a question our law firm often receives from boards: a director resigns from the board because he/she sells his/her home or the director no longer wishes to serve on the board. How should this vacant board position be filled? The board should first check its to determine the procedure to fill the board vacancy. Read […]
How to prepare for a HOA volunteer role
A homeowners association (HOA) is no better than the board of directors that leads it. If an association is to be excellent, willing volunteers must be developed. Excellent board members understand that their position is one of service rather than control. They serve their neighbors; they don’t supervise them. A service-forward attitude results in a […]
Seven Ways to Recruit New Board Members Consistently & Effectively (IL)
A condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome association’s Board of Directors serve on the association’s front lines and help ensure that the entire community moves forward. Because it is responsible for all aspects of an association’s business, including, but not limited to, maintenance of the community, operations, decision-making, finance overview, and overall management, the Board must […]
5 Tips for Successful HOA Board Members
The roles of Board members are vital to the success of your community association. As Board members, it is your fiduciary duty that the actions and decisions made consistently reflect the best interests of the community and its membership. Read the article………………………………….
Verbal resignations do not count (IL)
Q: The pandemic seems to be shortening the fuse of a lot of people these days, and the board members for our condominium association are no exception. Unfortunately, there are two board members in our condominium who really don’t get along with each other, and each board meeting usually includes an argument between them. Read […]
All Aboard! The Right Way to Bring on New Board Members
Co-op and condo boards are always on the lookout for new blood, but once a fresh recruit joins the team, they don’t always roll out the welcome mat. But having a system to induct new members and identify their strengths – after all, not everyone has clear-cut or obvious skills – can really pay off […]
HOA Lessons Learned – Case 1 Construction After the Fact
Construction projects are often a part of a condominium association board’s most impactful business and can define the year, or several years, as these projects can be large and far-reaching, changing the nature of a community. In Florida, an appellate case highlighted the need for strict compliance by the condominium board of directors to their […]
7 Tips to Better Run a Homeowners Association
Running a homeowners association is no easy task. Every real estate investment someone makes matters to them and residents want an HOA that will live up to the expectations of their property. There is a lot of responsibility involved and a lot of people looking to you to run things correctly. If you’re in charge […]
An Introduction to Serving on an Association’s Board of Directors (CA)
Serving on the Board of Directors for your Association presents itself with certain challenges. These can be compounded greatly simply because there is no user-guide or manual available to answer some of the fundamental questions one might have. This article is designed to help new and old Board members to understand exactly what it is […]
HOA Lawsuits: Disclosure
Knowing how to handle a lawsuit against the HOA responsibly and professionally will help your association navigate this stressful situation with as little turbulence as possible. In this article, we’ll go over how to respond to a lawsuit and what the HOA can do to avoid legal action against the association. Read the article…………………………………….
How To Make An HOA Candidate Statement For Board Nominations (NC)
Every homeowners association goes through board elections, but not all communities have the same exact procedures. One thing that remains common in most associations, though, is the need for an HOA candidate statement. Read the article………………………………..
10 Essential HOA Board Member Qualifications
While it may be technically true that any homeowner who is a member of the community can run for a spot on the HOA board, it’s just as true that not just anyone can thrive in the role. When electing officers to help lead your community, keep your eye on those who share some of […]
A Quick Overview of Board Member Responsibilities
I’m often asked for a quick 5 minute summary of what board members need to know to stay out of trouble while they are serving on their board. Here is a quick overview of a board member’s responsibilities. Read the article………………………………….
Board Member Boot Camp Part 2: Compliance, ARC, And Pitfalls To Avoid (NC)
In a previous article, we discussed some of the topics board members must be familiar with in order to serve successful terms on their community’s board of directors. This second part of “boot camp” covers the enforcement of documents, rules, and covenants, ARC issues, and some things board members should always be sure to watch […]
HOA Board Tips for Delivering Bad News
One of the major responsibilities of a board of directors is to enact rules, regulations, and policies that maintain or enhance the safety, health, and well-being of a homeowners’ association (HOA). Additionally, a board must also enforce the rules and regulations. Sending a homeowner a notice of non-compliance can often be unpleasant and stressful. Because […]
All Work and No Pay! 3 Notes on HOA Board Member Compensation
If you’re looking for paid HOA board members, you might as well be looking for a needle in a haystack. While HOA board members are some of the hardest-working people we know, they’re rarely compensated in the traditional financial sense. There are good reasons for this (which we’ll discuss a bit more below), but a […]
How to Manage Your Community as It Ages (CA)
As your homeowners association ages, its management must also evolve. In many ways, HOA management is like owning a car. In the first few years, everything is new and running smoothly, so you may only need to fill up with gas and change the oil. Years 4-5 require more extensive routine maintenance: replacing the brakes, […]
Tips for Orienting Yourself as a New Board Member
As the adrenaline rush of hearing your name announced as the election winner starts to wear off, you begin wondering what exactly you have gotten yourself into. While serving on your association’s board of directors for the first time can be confusing, and at times seem daunting, new board members need not fear. Below are […]
The Membership Poll – The Pros, Cons and Confusion of Taking a Membership Survey When a Membership Vote is Not Required (FL)
The line between what an association’s board can legally do as a matter of law and what the board should do as a matter of good practice is often blurred without any practical guidance available for well-intentioned directors who want to do the very best they can for their community based upon very often limited information available prior to […]
Recalling HOA Board Members – What You Need to Know
The diverse talents and personalities of an HOA board help an association only if those serving contribute, are honest, and attend meetings. When a board member fails to adhere to the bylaws or engages in behavior harmful to the association, a recall is often necessary. How to proceed with an HOA board member recall depends […]
Facing The Future: 8 Ways 2020 Will Continue To Affect Community Associations In 2021
Remember this time last year, when the biggest problems facing community associations included short-term rentals, emotional support animals, and short-wave radio antennas? Those were the days! 2020 taught us that there are much bigger things to worry about in this world. Half of us got our own emotional support animal (or at least thought about […]
Running a Community Association as a Democracy, Transition of Power Without a Condo Coup (FL)
When purchasing a residence in a condominium, homeowners association or a co-op, you by default agree to reside in a community association. You live in relatively close proximity to your neighbors and equally share the right to utilize common areas, whether it’s a lobby, pool, gym, parking lot and/or clubhouse. Monthly Association dues fund shared […]