Serving as an HOA board member is a rewarding challenge, especially if this is your first time! The more prepared you are for the expectations of the role, the more confident you’ll feel. There’s certainly a code of conduct you should be committed to upholding. Read the article……………………………..
HOA Board vs HOA Management Company Responsibilities
In a homeowners association, the board and the management company must work together to run the community. Yet, it is equally important to know the difference in roles and responsibilities between the HOA board vs HOA management company. Read the article……………………………..
Inside Condo Insurance
Condo owners might not own the building and the land their home sits on, but they still need good insurance for their unit and personal belongings. That’s where condo insurance comes in. Also known as an HO-6 insurance policy, condo insurance covers you for problems that are not covered by a homeowners association (HOA) master […]
Is It Legal To Fly Drones In HOA Communities?
Drones 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…………………………….
HVAC and your HOA – Who is Responsible?
Summer is around the corner which means rising temperatures and increased usage of air conditioning systems. After many months of sporadic use HVAC systems go into overdrive as the summer months approach; the increase in use gives rise to a number of problems often-times requiring repair or replacement. Read the article…………………………
HOA Pest Infestation: Who Pays For Pest Control? (NC)
An HOA pest infestation is a pesky problem that many associations encounter. When faced with such an issue, it is important for your HOA board to know how to manage it properly. Yet, one question commonly remains, “Who must shoulder the cost of pest exterminations?” Read the article……………………………..
Protecting Your Community From HOA Fraud
Believe it or not, there are many cases of HOA fraud across the United States. After all, a homeowners association is an organization run by a group of volunteer individuals, so it is definitely susceptible to fraudulent activity. In fact, it only takes a single dishonest board member to commit fraud in an association. This […]
Are You Using a Virtual Meeting Policy? (CO)
As COVID-19 continues its course, state health orders still limit public gatherings and how many individuals can be together indoors. Additionally, there are still plenty of people who do not feel comfortable attending public gatherings or are in a high risk category and simply cannot take the chance to be out in public surrounded by […]
How to deal with noisy neighbours in your HOA or condo
Late-night gatherings, music that shakes the walls, lawnmowers powered on as soon as the sun rises. Condos and HOAs can be noisy, and unfortunately, residents will have to tolerate a bit of excessive noise every now and again. It’s part of living in a community. But, if a noise disturbance becomes a regular occurrence, then […]
Heavy Is the Head That Wears the Crown: Board of Director Authority in a Community Association (NC)
The Board of Directors for a Community Association functions in a very similar capacity as the Board of a standard corporation. Approximately 95% of all decisions to be made on behalf of a Community Association will be made by its Board of Directors. Read the article…………………………….
Using Technology in Community Association Board Meetings & Elections (IL)
In a world left reeling from the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic, students have finished their academic semesters, even their graduate-school educations, via video-conferencing. Individuals suffering from chronic diseases are being treated via remote consultations with their physicians to avoid the dangers of possible coronavirus exposure at hospitals. Read the article…………………………….
Is Your HOA Community Ready for a Safe Summer? | HOA Summer Prep Checklist 2020
Summer is coming and for any homeowners’ association, that means prepping for summer activities. Not only will you need warm-weather maintenance, but your members will be emerging from their homes to enjoy the nice weather and traditional summer celebrations. As the HOA, it’s your duty to prepare the shared properties for public use and to […]
The Importance of Homeowners Association Upkeep (CA)
According to the David-Stirling Act, enacted in 1985 and revised in 2014, California HOAs function as a second or miniature civic government for the communities they serve. That means that there are certain levels of Homeowners Association exterior maintenance and upkeep that homeowners not only expect but are entitled to! Read the article……………………………..
What is a Reserve Fund?
What is a reserve fund and does my condo or HOA need one? We get asked these questions all the time, and the answers are yes. To better understand the complexity of a reserve fund, we invited reserve specialist, Peter Miller, of Miller Dodson Associates, Inc., in Annapolis, Md., to share his thoughts. Watch the […]
Community Associations Challenged with Limited Resources When Dealing with Mentally Ill or Violent Residents (FL)
On the heels of Mental Health Awareness month and with full restrictions yet to be lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, stress-related incidents and escalating tensions within community associations are on the rise. Mental health issues have been exponentially compounded by the fact that social distancing is still enforced and many people who suffer from mental […]
Association Loans/Lines of Credit
In this time of growing financial crises, associations are increasingly considering loans/lines of credit in order to have sufficient cashflow in the event of budget shortfalls caused by increasing delinquencies or in order to pay for projects that cannot be funded through the operating budget alone but cannot be postponed. Read the article……………………………
3 Difficult Board Member Management Tactics (NJ)
Board members are an integral part of a well-functioning HOA. An uncooperative attitude in a board member has the potential of unraveling the board unity and can cause problems for the community. Fortunately, there are three management tactics that may provide some relief and control over the situation and these particular behaviors. Read the article………………………….
What HOAs Need to Know About Mental Health
Should an association make accommodations for people with neurological issues like early onset dementia, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum, whether they tell you or the association observes it? What special accommodations or exceptions are available under the Fair Housing Act? Read the article……………………………..
How Should The Board Handle Short-Term Rentals In HOA Communities?
With the increased popularity of lodging apps and services like Airbnb, HOA communities are facing more problems with short-term rentals. Before banning it outright, though, your HOA board should take a look at the issue from every perspective. Read the article……………………………
Hurricane Insurance Claim Deadlines (FL)
Almost three years have passed since Hurricane Irma and almost two years since Hurricane Michael. If your community has received insurance money and rebuilt, or if your community has only suffered minor damages, both hurricanes may seem a lifetime ago. Unfortunately, many communities are still suffering through unpaid claims and, in many cases, unknown damages. […]
Are Group Homes In HOA Communities Allowed? (NC)
Group homes in HOA communities have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. And homeowners associations from across the country are scrambling to learn how to deal with them. Read the article……………………………
System Failure
Regular reserve studies and funding aren’t enough to cover the increasingly common threat of infrastructure failure. How do we fix the system before more tragedies strike? Read the article………………………..
Environmentally Friendly and Adorable: Landscaping with Goats
Gardening is fun and relaxing until your green spaces get overrun with invasive plants. Anyone who has fought with an invasive plant species knows the headache – you think you have it under control until it comes back with a vengeance, seemingly overnight. Relying on harmful herbicides or chemicals can be a danger to the […]
Transparency Checklist (CO)
Promoting a culture of transparency in the governance of your association will lead to a more effective and efficient association, a more informed membership and a more accountable board of directors. Here are some items to consider in promoting transparency: Open the PDF……………………………………
Why Is HOA Rule Compliance Absolutely Necessary In A Community?
HOA rule compliance is an issue that association boards greatly struggle with. When structuring an approach, you need to balance the requirements of the HOA with the needs of the residents. It’s important to have a concrete structure in place to avoid unnecessary conflicts with your residents. If you want to learn more about effective […]
HOA 101: Understanding the Role of the Board President
To function correctly, a homeowners’ association (HOA) must have a board of directors that’s authorized to act on a community’s behalf, create and enforce community guidelines, and maintain shared spaces. Generally, the HOA board has four officer positions: president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Each officer has specific duties and responsibilities related to the operation […]
Considering Hosting Virtual Meetings? Look No Further! (FL)
Watch out Silicon Valley, there is a new group of virtual gatherers in town! From small, collaborative style meetings to large, full-scale board meetings, Associations across all demographics are effectively using virtual meetings to accomplish their goals. Because of this widespread success, many of our Campbell Managed Properties are looking to use virtual meetings as […]
HOA Design Review Application Form (VA)
Most homeowners’ associations require owners to submit a Design Review Application Form to approve changes to exterior features of their lots, be it a deck, patio, fence, driveway, or addition. Some even require approval to remove or add trees or change the grading. Owners often misunderstand their rights because the Design Review Application form includes […]
3 Myths (and Truths!) About Parking Rules in the HOA (AZ)
The Discovery Channel’s popular “MythBusters” television show became a hit for a reason, and it’s not just for the hosts’ fun-loving personalities and wacky antics. After watching the show, viewers can finally understand – and explain to their friends – why commonly believed pop culture lore is (or isn’t) true. Homeowner’s associations are no different […]
Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA) Part 1: Understanding the FCCPA
All businesses in the state of Florida need to be familiar with Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act (“FCCPA”). The FCCPA is found at Sections 559.55-559.785 of the Florida Statutes. The FCCPA is intended to protect consumers and is intentionally unfair to creditors. See §559.552, Fla. Stat. (2019); Kelly v. Duggan, 282 So. 3d 969, 974 […]
Can Your Association Require A Survey as Part of the Architectural Process? (NC)
For some property owners, the Coronavirus pandemic has been an opportunity to spend some meaningful time at home working on long neglected projects. This could mean finishing up a landscaping plan, cleaning out a natural area, or finally getting around to building a fence. As owners go about these tasks, it is inevitable that some […]
Electronic Voting in Community Associations (FL)
The current environment has presented many obstacles for Association living. Federal, state, and local governments have placed restrictions on gatherings, which has limited Boards’ options for conducting meetings and getting owner participation. Even when restrictions ease, it is likely that some individuals will remain cautious of gathering in social settings with large groups. Read the article……………………………………
Properly Addressing Speeding in your Community
Speeding is not just a nuisance but a danger to your community’s homeowners and their residents. It is a difficult issue to address and enforce effectively but it can be done and it should be addressed immediately to protect your community. As the HOA there are several steps you can take to minimize the frequency […]
HOA Budgeting During Times of Crisis
Preparing an accurate budget for your HOA may seem like a daunting task, especially during uncertain times such as these. At SpectrumAM, we believe careful planning and partnering with your community manager to discuss the community’s financial picture can help make this process much easier. Read the article……………………………..
How To Set SMART Goals For Your HOA
Regardless of where your HOA is located, it is important to consider how to improve your organization each year. HOAs that are always forward-thinking and set out to achieve attainable goals will have a great deal of respect from their residents, along with smart financial management. If you are considering how to set SMART goals […]
How Do Well-funded Reserves Affect Your HOA? (NJ)
An HOA board has a duty to ensure that its community runs smoothly, and with financial stability. A well-funded reserve fund can affect many things, such as the ability to implement necessary repairs and upgrades, which ultimately affect the market value of the property. Market values can directly impact homeowners and whether or not they […]
How to Get Traffic Calming on Your HOA Roads
Private and gated communities attract people seeking increased safety and security. But speeding vehicles can threaten that safety and endanger the lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and young children. Here is a guide to help you work with your community to create safer, more livable streets. Read the article………………………
10 common HOA violations
There are over 350,000 homeowner associations in the United States! That equates to roughly 40 million households, or more than 50% of owner-occupied households in America. HOAs are legal entities, and they offer members the protection, maintenance and preservation of their homes and property. However, these members also have a duty to follow the association’s […]
Hail Season and Water Leaks! Homeowners Check Your Loss Assessment Coverage (CO)
Damages resulting from hail storms and water leaks are two of the most common insurance claims for townhouse and condominium associations. Read the article…………………………
Step-By-Step Guide To The HOA Assessment Collections Process
When you purchase a property in a community with a homeowners’ association, you’re also acquiring the obligation to pay regular assessments. Assessments aren’t necessarily a bad thing—they allow the HOA to operate for the community’s shared interest and to perform its core maintenance functions. Read the article…………………………..
Relationships on the Board: How Close is Too Close? (NY)
The motivation for volunteering to be an uncompensated (and sometimes underappreciated) co-op or condo board member is usually a sense of civic duty combined with the desire to protect one’s own investment and quality of life. This means that the majority of board members actually live in the buildings and communities they serve. And that […]
Reasons YOU Should Serve on Your HOA Board
Serving on your HOA board of directors may seem like a daunting task. And while it’s true that the position comes with a lot of responsibility and requires time and effort, it can also be very rewarding! Here are just a few of the many reasons to consider joining your association’s board of directors: Read […]
Loss Assessment Coverage
Loss assessment coverage protects condo owners from unexpected expenses that result from damages to the building or common areas of their homeowners association (HOA). Read the article……………………………..
Imposing Fines Responsibility in your Community Association
There is nothing that will add more stress and bring up more discord and resentment in a homeowner’s association than when fines are imposed on members of the community association. The truth of the matter is fines are an unfortunate but necessary tool to ensure that homeowners meet their obligations to the community with regard […]
3 Tips on Avoiding Mold in High-Risk Areas of Your Condo (IL)
If you’ve ever seen the ominous black substance on your walls or ceiling, you were probably pretty grossed out. These days, more research is coming out too on the long term negative effects of mold on human health. Mold basically needs an environment that stays moist to thrive. It’s easy to take some steps to […]