Last time, I explained the duty of boards of directors to fund reserves properly for long-term capital repairs like paving, roofing and siding. As simple as that sounds, and as simple to accomplish, it’s surprising so many associations don’t have a proper reserve fund. Read the article……………………………..
Keeping Politics Out of Your Community Association
Not surprisingly, the chatter about whether or not political signs should be permitted in private residential communities has increased as we draw closer to the elections in November. Let’s first discuss whether or not an owner in a Florida HOA has the “right” to install signs. The short answer is “no” with one exception. FL […]
No Changes to Florida HOA, Condo Political Sign Landscape As Turbulent Election Season Gears Up (FL)
Political polarization in 2020 has reached a COVID-fevered pitch, ignited by shadowy entities of all kinds fueling a whole lot of anger. As if things weren’t volatile enough, it’s now election season in Florida, which boasts more community associations than any other state in America. Read the article……………………………
Can Our Community Restrict Political Signs (FL)
Election season is here and already raising many questions regarding a community’s authority to restrict political signs. If your community has a prohibition on signs, political signs are not exempt from those restrictions. The question then becomes does enforcement of no sign restrictions as to political signs violate an owner’s right to free speech. Read […]
Flags and Political Signs in North Carolina HOAs
With the nation preparing for elections in November, community associations are finding themselves in the crosshairs of a debate over when and how free speech may be exercised by residents in their communities. Impassioned residents want to express their opinions through signs, flags, bumper stickers, t-shirts and even sidewalk chalk decorations, and they may run […]
Washington Condos and HOAs Face Difficult Budget Decisions
It’s annual budget season for Washington condominium and homeowners associations, and many of them are dealing with the unfortunate reality of smaller revenues this year and next year. Many owners’ accounts have become delinquent, and associations are understandably reluctant to begin collection actions against them right away. Read the article……………………………
Benefits to Cloud-Storage of Your Association Information
Running a Condominium Association or Homeowner Association requires hard work and lots of patience. For most COAs and HOAs, it makes more sense to hire a management company to streamline daily operations. For any professional HOA/COA manager, data management is a very crucial skill. Any association requires that the management company they hire organizes their finances, vendor lists, […]
Crime Prevention Tips
Crime can happen anywhere, at any time, so it’s important to stay vigilant. While there are safety measures your association may take to deter crime, it’s crucial for each individual homeowner to contribute to their own safety. Read the article……………………………
A Guide to Effective Community Safety Protocols (CA)
How important in community safety to your homeowner’s association? Do you want to make sure that your community has a safe environment for all homeowners? The best part about keeping your community updated about the latest events and issues is fostering a sense of community. Read the article………………………………
Want To Be An Amazing Neighbor? Five Ways To Start (And Some Things To Avoid) (NC)
With Americans spending more time at home than ever these days, being a good neighbor is of the utmost importance. Sure, not many people are actively trying to be bad neighbors, but if you sit down and think about it, do your daily habits exude neighborliness? Now that we’re seeing a lot more of the […]
Pests and Infestations: Eight Considerations for Community Associations (IL)
As temperatures change, community associations often see an increase in the number of pest-related complaints. Determining the best way to deal with bed bugs, rodents, termites, and other pest complaints can be a challenge for board members and property managers who must juggle a variety of competing interests in order to best serve their communities. […]
Strategic Planning Tips for Your Community Organization
Community organization boards always have something new to handle every day. It can all pile up and prove overwhelming, so formulate a strategic plan to ensure that everything runs smoothly no matter what comes up. Strategic planning essentially involves setting and scheduling the organization’s affairs and activities in an organized manner to maximize efficiency and […]
When Neighbors Fight: Handling HOA Neighbor Disputes Fairly
No homeowners association is immune from HOA neighbor disputes. No matter the shape or size of the community, neighbors will fight for any number of reasons — that is just human nature. But, what can an HOA do about it? Read the article……………………………….
Electronic Voting Tips for HOAs
Holding meetings virtually has brought questions about how residents can cast votes for an election during an association’s annual meeting—and how boards can remain compliant with their governing documents. Read the article……………………………..
Can an HOA Accept Donations?
When running an HOA, there’s always a need for more funds. Even the most financially stable HOAs can always find ways to put more funds to good use. So, you may be wondering: Can HOAs accept donations from vendors? What about fundraising? Can an HOA donate to charities? Read the article………………………………
To Reserve Or Not To Reserve and How it Impacts the Community (FL)
It is not uncommon for boards to try to keep assessments down especially during times like COVID-19. One way that a board can accomplish the “appearance” of keeping assessments down while still covering the day-to-day expenses is to waive or underfund the reserves. At the time, waiving or underfunding reserves may not seem like a […]
Avoiding Campaign Sign Controversy in Your Community
As summer comes to a close and the leaves begin to fall, every day is one day closer to Election Day. Although the November election is still two months away, residents around Metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia have begun to show their full support of candidates facing election, through proud displays of campaign signs. Given […]
Identifying Conflicts of Interest
As a board member, you strive to make the choices that protect your community and create a neighborhood that homeowners are proud to be a part of. You follow your obligations to complete your duties in good faith and with due care, and you act in the best interests of the association. Read the article………………………….
Is Board Burnout Leading to Depression?
Serving on the board of a community association to help shape the community you live in can be very rewarding and satisfying. Many board members enjoy being part of the board and being on the front lines of decision making and planning. Nonetheless, being a board member has its fair share of work and stress. […]
Should Your HOA Take An HOA Loan Or Not?
Homeowners associations rely on a constant stream of funds in the form of assessments to cover the community’s operating expenses. But, there might come a time when this stream is interrupted for whatever reason, necessitating an HOA loan. Read the article………………………………….
Hurricane Season Checklist for Florida Community Associations
Florida’s official hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30 – that’s six months out of the year. As we head into the busiest part of the season, weather patterns can be unpredictable and quickly shift from pleasant to severe. This is why hurricane preparation should be a critical component of community association operations. […]
Continuity Planning for Michigan Community Associations
During this time of economic uncertainty and concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic, community associations should take an ‘inventory’ of the current conditions of the association and have a continuity plan in place just in case something tragic happens. For example, what happens if the President of the Board of Directors suddenly passes away? Read the […]
3 Things You Need To Know About HOA Management Companies
Most people mistake a homeowners’ association, also known as HOA, to be the same as an HOA management company. While HOA is simply an association of volunteer homeowners with the primary purpose of attending to the community’s needs and wants, an HOA management company specializes in offering professional community management. Read the article………………………………….
How To Make An HOA Violation Letter
In every homeowners association, there will be homeowners who break the rules accidentally or intentionally. That’s why HOA boards must take non-compliance seriously. At the first sign of offense, they must send an HOA violation letter to remind a homeowner of his obligations to the HOA. If you want to improve rule enforcement, here’s a […]
Elevator Collision Coverage (CA)
Not long ago, the Treasurer on a board of directors called to cancel their recently approved policy because “it included elevator collision coverage and we don’t have an elevator.” She was upset because the 185-page policy contained language that did not apply “at all” to her small community, and she was convinced that they were […]
Condo World: Saving for a rainy day – Part I (NH)
Every once in a while I get a question from a member of a board of directors asking if it is a requirement that a condominium association properly fund its reserve account. I pause. I remind myself what they are really asking is if they can keep the condominium fees artificially low, and avoid saving […]
Why Condos Need to Plan Ahead for Major Repair Projects (HI)
Aging condo buildings need large, complex projects to keep them safe and functional. But many condo associations have not budgeted for these expensive, time-consuming repairs, says Dana Bergeman, CEO of local construction management company Bergeman Group. He calls the situation “a real crisis.” Read the article………………………..
How to Avoid HOA Fraud (TX)
While the vast majority of all HOA volunteers only want to help their community be the absolute best it can be, it never hurts to optimize your board’s financial protection strategy. Read the article………………………….We recommend the following tips:
Association Boards Governing Political Signs (NY/CT)
With politics and world events heating up, people have a lot to say and want to publish it out loud. If they live in a coop, condo, HOA or other community association, however, can a board restrict their free speech? John wants to put a “Black Lives Matter” sign on the lawn of his HOA […]
Trespassing in Your Community Association | How does your HOA address the issue?
Various legal jurisdictions spell out clear guidelines on what amounts to trespass. In this case, trespass involves intruding in owners units (Condo Association) or homes/property (HOA) without their consent. Individuals responsible for this type of illegal intrusion are generally liable for a criminal offense that is punishable by law, though the punishments and legal definition […]
Non-required But Essential Policies (CO)
What are policies and why do they exist? The purpose of policies is to set forth a process to be followed with respect to various issues. A policy, in most cases, is a safety net for associations to ensure everyone is being treated the same and the same processes are followed every time. If an […]
What Do You Include in the HOA Budget?
Thoughtfully planning and preparing for the annual HOA budget is not easy, but it is crucial to the day-to-day and long-term success of the community. Each year, the board is tasked with overseeing both the operating and reserve budgets and adjusting them accordingly to best meet the needs of the association. Read the article…………………………..
Tips for Selling Your Community Association Management Company
People sell their business for multiple reasons, retirement, burn-out, business or partner problems, or health reasons. Owners should prepare an exit plan when the business begins. An exit plan is a contingent plan for opportunities and challenges that present themselves. Selling a business can be an emotional roller coaster so it’s important to be prepared. […]
Reserve Studies: Preparing Your Community Association For The Future (NC)
Reserve studies are essential to ensuring the financial security of community associations. When conducted properly, they aid in preparing associations for large future repairs and create a timeline so that the membership will have the appropriate funds allocated for such repairs. But what exactly is a reserve study? Read the article…………………………….
A Summary of Collecting Delinquent Community Association Assessments (VA)
For those who live in a community with a homeowners association (also referred to in Virginia as a “property owners’ association” or a condominium association (an “Association”), you are no doubt familiar with assessments that go toward landscaping, parks, and pools, and declarations and bylaws that govern architectural changes to the exterior of the homes. […]
A Condominium Can Last Hundreds of Years, But Not Its Components (HI)
Dana Bergeman is the CEO of Bergeman Group, a local construction management company. He says many of Hawai‘i’s condominiums were built in the 1960s and ’70s and are reaching the point where they will need major infrastructure, cosmetic and architectural improvements to keep their value and remain liveable. Read the article……………………………….
New Robert’s Rules of Order
For organizations that follow Robert’s Rules of Order, most tend to use the newest edition. That’s because either a state or federal law or the governing documents refer not to a specific numbered edition, but to the latest edition. For instance, two North Carolina state statutes (NCGS § 47F-3-108 & 47C-3-108) provide that as to […]
What to Do Before and After a Hurricane (FL)
Hello, and welcome to Community Association Matters, the podcast that serves homeowner and condominium associations in Florida. And I say Florida now, because we are serving not just Southeast Florida, but also Southwest Florida with offices in both Miami and Fort Myers. So we’re very excited about that opportunity. And as always, our goal here […]
The Washington HOA Political Yard Sign Minefield
Election season has returned. Although, when is it not election season? This year’s presidential campaign promises to be one of the most contentious in living memory, and there are a number of state and local candidates and ballot measures that promise to be very divisive as well. Moreover, there are political issues that are critically […]
Everything You Should Know About Artificial Grass and Your HOA
Having a lush green lawn is every homeowner’s dream- but it isn’t always achievable. The climate may be too dry and water too scarce to keep your lawn watered enough so it stays green, or you might not want to use harsh pesticides to keep your lawn weed-free because of pets or young kids. Many […]
A Step-by-Step Approach to Amending and Restating Governing Documents (CA)
It seems as though the laws change as frequently as the tides. Some years see more legal changes than others – changes that greatly affect the way boards manage the association’s affairs. The laws governing community associations have experienced so much change within the past three to four years alone that it may make your […]
How To Manage HOA Violations
As a homeowner association (HOA) manager, dealing with violations is often the least enjoyable part of the job. Yet it’s also one of your most important duties. Your HOA clients are counting on you to help keep their community safe, peaceful, and welcoming to all residents. That’s why you need to know how to manage […]
Balancing Act?
Community associations are bracing for a wave of delinquencies. Boards may need to walk the tightrope between compassion and collections to help contain the coming crisis. Read the article……………………………
What to Do When a Vendor Damages Association Property (FL)
Service providers often cause property damage in community associations. Imagine a furniture delivery driver in a rush to make his next appointment, clipping your community’s security gate and taking a portion of it down the road, or a garbage truck leaking hydraulic fluid on your community roadways, leaving permanent stains. What should your association do […]
Hurricane Insurance Claims for Condominium Associations (FL)
There is a lot of information on how associations can prepare for hurricanes but much less information as to what happens after the hurricane, particularly as it pertains to insurance claims. A question that managers and board members need to consider is, what is required after a hurricane to ensure compliance with your insurance policy […]
5 Things to Check Before Hiring a Managing Agent
Hiring a new managing agent is one of the most consequential and far-reaching decisions most co-op and condo boards ever make. It’s no time for guesswork. “The right managing agent can bring a sense of stability to the building, reduce the workload of the board, and reduce the financial risks,” Read the article………………………………..
Amendment Procedures in Master/Sub Association Communities with Neighborhood Voting Representative (FL)
We start with a question that is asked by every licensed community association manager, every director elected to a board, and most of the members in any given condominium or homeowners association across the state – what does it take to amend our association’s governing documents? Read the article………………………..
Get a Reserve Study of Your Condos and HOAs For a Better Budget (FL)
Do you find that your Association constantly has unexpected repair or replacement costs that you don’t have money budgeted for? If so, it may be a good idea for your Board to look into having a reserve study done for your community. Read the article……………………………