Every Association has sensitive information that it needs to protect to ensure the safety of the association and its residents. Associations that have safe practices for keeping their residents’ information safe can protect their residents, avoid liability and generally operate more smoothly. Read the entire article……………………………….
Understanding the Basics of Board Financial Reporting
As a property manager or community association board member, sometimes it’s tough to remember that associations are businesses. Some of them are pretty large, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in dues collected and expenses paid each year. That requires regular, proactive monitoring to ensure that issues, like mistakes or variances, are quickly identified and […]
Can The HOA Restrict Homeowners From Flying The U.S. Flag On Memorial Day?
Homeowners associations are known for strict architectural rules that can also extend to outdoor fixtures such as flags, political signs, and Christmas decorations. But, what about the American flag? Can HOAs prohibit homeowners from displaying the U.S. flag on Memorial Day? Read the entire article……………………………….
3 HOA Memorial Day Activities For The Community
Memorial Day is right around the corner. As with many homeowners associations, the federal holiday is a great time to plan a community event that will help bring residents together. But, what are some fun HOA Memorial Day activities? Read the entire article……………………………….
Understanding HOA Special Assessment in Detail
If you are a homeowner in a planned community, there is a good chance that you will have to pay special assessments at some point. Special assessments are an extra fee that homeowners pay to the association in addition to the regular assessments. Read the entire article……………………………….
Easy Ways to Create a Committee Report Board Members Will Read
Board members of a homeowners’ association (HOA) assume a position that can be fast-paced and demanding, juggling many responsibilities at once. That’s why many rely on the support of association committees. Tasked with important duties, like financial planning, managing maintenance projects, and enforcing violations, some committees are obligated to communicate to the board in the […]
Good Neighbors Make Good Fences: A Neighborly Approach to Shared Amenities
They say, “Good fences make good neighbors,” but I would posit that good neighbors make good fences. Many associations share fences, pools, driveways and sometimes even buildings. While many shared amenities are subject to easement agreements or covenants that describe what each association’s rights and responsibilities are, those agreements – if they do exist – […]
Memorial Day Facts And FAQs Every American Should Know
Memorial Day comes every year, but some people just blindly celebrate the holiday as a free pass out of work or school. There is more to this holiday than just summer BBQs and pool parties. Here are the most important Memorial Day facts every American should know. Read the entire article……………………………….
What the Cluck? Addressing Backyard Chickens in HOA’s (CA)
It is becoming increasingly popular to raise chickens in suburban and even in urban areas. Chickens offer a continuous source of fresh eggs and arguably help with pest control. Conversely, chickens can be loud, messy, attract coyotes, and arguably are best suited for rural, country life. Read the entire article……………………………….
Avoid the Collapse of Deferred Maintenance (CA)
By now, most have seen the awful images of the collapsed Champlain Towers which resulted in nearly 100 deaths, countless injuries, property damage and unanswered questions about how this could have happened. While not every case of deferred maintenance has such catastrophic results, the Bay Area is not without its own examples. Read the entire […]
How Arizona HOA Board Members Can Create and Maintain Effective Covenant Enforcement
Homeowners’ associations and board members have a central purpose of building and maintaining a community that members enjoy living in. The main driving force of that structure of community is the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) that establish the rules that the members must follow. In most cases, the Board of Directors also has the […]
Understanding Your Community’s Architectural Request Review Process
When you live in a community association, there are rules and regulations pertaining to the upkeep of the exterior of your property. But what if you’d like to make a change to your property, like paint your house or put up a new fence? That’s where the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) comes in. This group […]
Rising Costs of Materials Could Lead to More Construction Defects
We wanted to share news greatly affecting new construction: rising costs of materials. The housing market across the country is crazy right now. It is a strong sellers’ market and buyers are having an extremely difficult time getting offers accepted. Read the entire article……………………………….
What is the Purpose of the HOA Bylaws?
When you become a member of a homeowners association, you receive a copy of the governing documents. By living in the HOA, you also agree to abide by them, so it’s important to read them and understand what they say. However, these documents often use a lot of jargon and can be difficult to understand. […]
HOA Debt Collection: Is The HOA Taking Advantage?
Consumers are protected by certain laws when it comes to debt collection. Chief among them is the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. But, does this law apply to homeowners associations, too? Read the entire article……………………………….
Can Assistance Animals In HOA Communities Be Restricted?
Homeowners associations often have rules restricting pets. But, do these rules apply to assistance animals in HOA communities? What counts as an assistance animal anyway? Read the entire article……………………………….
Is there actually such thing as a No Pet Property in a Homeowners Association? (MN)
Many homeowners associations restrict or prohibit pets. This may make the property attractive to buyers who have allergies, a fear of dogs, or who simply do not want to live in that type of environment with pets. But when is a “pet-free” property not pet free? Read the entire article……………………………….
Security Camera Policies for HOAs
Security is a big deal for homeowners associations. Most members value the security and privacy that a planned development offers. Meanwhile, community leaders work hard to ensure that sense of safety remains intact. Read the entire article……………………………….
Lifeguard Shortages: What HOAs Should Consider
Q: Our community is having difficulty finding lifeguards to staff the pools this summer. How can we minimize liability if we choose the “swim-at-your-own-risk” approach? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Ohio HOA Solar Installation: Are Restrictions Now Lifted?
Homeowners in Ohio have long battled their HOAs for the ability to install solar panels on their homes. Now, with the introduction of a new bill, that may very well soon change. Learn more about the new Ohio HOA solar bill below. Read the entire article……………………………….
Communications & Community – Clarity, Transparency, & Respect
The words communication and community share a common root. It comes as no surprise, then, that the success of communities depends on effective communication between board members, managers, and residents. In multifamily residential communities like co-ops and condominiums, effective communication is a crucial component in achieving optimal results and operations. Lines of communication between boards, […]
At Last, Co-op and Condo Boards Get Something for Free From the DOB (NY)
New York City co-op and condo boards have grown accustomed to the high cost of complying with a never-ending deluge of new city rules — widely derided as “unfunded mandates” — but during May the city is flipping the the script by offering no-cost, no-penalty inspections of decks, porches, retaining walls and business signs. Read […]
HOA Preparedness: Preventing Water Damage
It’s finally springtime, which means flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and the rain will soon be pouring. And all that rain can lead to one thing: water damage. If you’re an HOA board member, it’s essential to prepare your community association for the rainiest season. Read the entire article……………………………….
Caution! Flooring Penetrations May Result in Structural Issue (CA)
Many of our multi-story condominium communities are wood framed with wood flooring. Most high-rise communities are concrete structures with concrete flooring. Whether wood or concrete, flooring is an integral part of the structural integrity of the building. Read the entire article……………………………….
Tips to Handle HOA Residents Who Meddle
Q: We have a resident who often meddles in the affairs of committees that she is not part of. I know we can issue a cease-and-desist letter, but what else can we do? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Preventative Maintenance for Water Management (CO)
Preventative maintenance for water management around commercial and residential buildings is commonly overlooked unless an active leak is occurring from a roof or from a lower level basement area. Active water intrusion issues are primarily due to the lack of preventative maintenance on the exterior of the building. These overlooked conditions typically exist at the […]
Maintenance Now, or Disaster Later?
Many homeowners association boards shy away from addressing day-to-day maintenance needs and may be unwilling to spend assessment funds for preventative maintenance. That apprehension is often motivated by a genuine desire to keep HOA dues low or simply due to indecision from a good faith desire to make only the right decisions. Whatever the motivation, […]
When Should You Contact an Engineer?
When it comes to the reconstruction and restoration of HOA communities, the civil and structural engineers who make up a part of this niche market are accustomed to working behind the scenes. After all, there’s nothing high-profile and flashy about designing repair plans, pulling permits, or writing up engineering reports about potential issues within a […]
HOA Complaints
As an HOA Board Member, you are likely faced with complaints from fellow homeowners. This can be daunting—especially when the homeowner is perceived as unreasonable or irate. Below are helpful tips to guide you through the process to achieve a successful resolution. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Master Insurance Policy: How Does It Protect An HOA?
A homeowners association master policy, often referred to as simply HOA insurance, is a form of insurance designed to protect HOAs. Standard master insurance policies typically cover two things: Property damage to any structures or shared spaces that the HOA owns; and, Liability expenses that the HOA is responsible for, including if a guest becomes […]
North Carolina Solar Installations In HOAs: Can It Be Restricted?
Homeowners associations are known to restrict certain architectural modifications in communities. But, does this authority extend to prohibiting a North Carolina solar panel installation? Read the entire article……………………………….
A Member’s Guide to Understanding the HOA’s Governing Documents
The governing documents of an association contain the rules, regulations, and other contractual obligations to which members are obligated. When you purchase a home in a governed community association, you instantly become a member. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo Boards Can Make Mistakes (FL)
Condominium living has a lot of benefits. Many condominiums have socials and other activities. Associations manage amenities that might not be available in a single-family home. Someone else takes care of painting, mowing, pool maintenance and the unit owner only has to worry about the inside of the owner’s unit. Read the entire article……………………………….
The Importance of Emergency Planning for Community Associations
In the Carolinas, we are pretty familiar with natural disasters, particularly hurricanes. Though they arrive by sea, there have been many instances of them making their way inland and causing just as much, if not more, damage than they do in coastal cities. Read the entire article……………………………….
Can An HOA Change Its Assessment Allocation? (CA)
Buying a home within a homeowners association community comes with several responsibilities, including paying HOA dues and assessment fees as stipulated by the HOA governing documents. These payments are mandatory and backed by the laws of the association involved. Many people often wonder if an HOA board has the power to change the assessment allocations. […]
Cost Going Up: Co-op’s Elevator Modernization Brings Surprises (NY)
Elevator work is always a major headache for boards and residents, but you recently ran into a very unexpected problem on what you thought was a routine job. Read the entire article……………………………….
Co-op Board Learns That Hoarding Is a Mental Disorder (NY)
A shareholder in our small, self-managed co-op is in his eighties and is suffering from dementia. Because of his hoarding, the building now has a roach infestation. At significant cost to the co-op, we fumigated the building; we also packed up and removed items in his unit, fumigated them and returned them to him. New […]
6 Questions to Ask About How the HOA Board Manages Its Finances (CA)
The Board of Directors for your homeowners association has an immense financial obligation to the community. One of the HOA board’s most important jobs is to keep legible and accurate financial reports and records. These reports and records provide an overview of your community’s revenue and expenses against its financial projections or budget. Read the […]
How To Create A Budget In Mixed-Use Associations
It is no secret that saving money is important, especially when it comes to managing properties and communities funds. Running an association can be a challenge, and the only way to successfully run an HOA is to create a proper budget. Read the entire article……………………………….
Can you operate a business from home while living in a community association? (OH)
Most Declarations contain a provision prohibiting commercial or business activity from being conducted or operated from a unit or home within an association. Deed restrictions prohibiting business or commercial activity are consistently upheld in Ohio courts as valid and enforceable. But what is “business” or “commercial” activity? Ultimately, it is up to a court to […]
Community Associations Can Sink or Swim Based on Their Rules and Regulations Related to Children and Swim Diapers
In January 2022 a Florida couple, Jack and Simone Yeager, who own a home in a Boynton Beach country club, in conjunction with their adult son, David Yeager, and his wife, Nicole Fisher, filed a lawsuit against a South Florida property owners association for allegedly discriminating against them based upon familial status. Read the entire […]
Universal Design & the ADA: Design for Every Body
The idea that ‘form follows function’ is one of the basic concepts underlying nearly every design discipline—but function for whom? For many people living with disabilities, it often seems that ‘function’ covers a very narrow range of ability—rendering many forms clumsy at best, and completely useless at worst. While a cascading stairway might provide drama […]
Flood Risk Rises for Condos & Co-ops: How to be Physically & Financially Ready (NJ)
With hurricanes and other torrential storm events on the rise around the nation, the issue of flooding has come as something of a wake-up call for homeowners and local governments alike. The real-world effects of climate change are upon us, even in areas where such events were rare before—if they occurred at all—and certainly in […]
How to Create a Comprehensive Community Maintenance Plan
A structured community maintenance plan guides community owners in their property management. Cleaning schedules, routine inspections, upkeep, and major outage strategies are part of the maintenance plan. Read the entire article……………………………….
Restrictive Covenants and Accessory Buildings: Is It Better to Ask Your HOA for Forgiveness or Permission? (MI)
United States Navy Rear Admiral Grace Hopper is quoted as saying, “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.” Possibly because this saying is so popular, it can cause headaches for homeowners associations. This is particularly true when owners erect accessory buildings, such as a detached garage, in-law suite, out building, pool […]
The Impact of a Homeowner Filing Bankruptcy and Receiving a Discharge on Assessment Collection (CA)
Asked – Our HOA Board of Directors has been advised that a homeowner who is delinquent in their payment of assessments has filed bankruptcy. If the homeowner obtains a bankruptcy discharge does the HOA have to write off the delinquent account as a bad debt? Read the Q&A……………………………….
AEDs in HOAs/Condos – Life Saving (AZ)
Recently our firm was contacted by an HOA that is considering the installation of AEDs (automated external defibrillators) throughout their community – this client provided potential common area installation sites including: the tennis courts, pickle ball courts, the pool deck, gym, and the clubhouse. Read the entire article……………………………….