I have lost track of how many times I have been told by the president of an association, “We haven’t had to raise dues in five years.” It’s usually said with great pride. And then I burst her bubble. Managing expenses is of course a primary objective for association boards, but not raising dues (assessments) […]
How to Handle Wildlife in HOAs
….Feeding wildlife is extremely dangerous for humans and animals because it can spread diseases and throw off their natural pattern . “If one alligator becomes habituated to a person, if they think that people equals food, then you’re putting all people that would walk past that alligator at risk,” says Shelli Albright with C.R.O.W Clinic […]
What Defines Modern HOA Management?
Homeowners associations are a relatively new way to organize residential living, with origins that can be traced back only to about the middle of the 20th century. However, in the construction boom that took place in southern California in the 1960s, HOAs quickly began to gain significant traction. Read the article……………………..
Creating a homeowners association violation letter
At some point during the lifespan of a community association, a homeowner will break the rules, whether on purpose or by accident. When this happens, the Board of Directors must help them to understand that they’ve broken the rules and comply with them. Read the article…………………………
Fidelity Insurance for Your HOA
It takes a lot of money to properly run a homeowner’s association. Maintenance, security, capital, and other expenditures all require a large reserve fund that is available to the association at all times. Because HOAs are run in large part by volunteer board members and may lack proper checks and balances, they unfortunately become easy […]
How to Deal With an HOA Conflict of Interest
HOA board members are bound by a code of ethics to put the interests of their associations ahead of their own. They have a fiduciary duty to the community and its covenants, as do property managers. Conflicts of interest between board members, property managers, and vendors – or even the appearance of conflicts of interest […]
Dangerous Ideas for Land Use Laboratories #1: Preempt the Single-Family Residence Restrictive Covenant
My point is this: if we are serious about addressing disparities in neighborhoods–and I think sociological studies tell us we should be–then we can’t just address the public system of segregating neighborhoods through single-family zoning. We must also contemplate pre-empting enforcement of single-family residence covenants in HOA CC&Rs through either state statute or local ordinance. Read […]
Emerging Options, Opportunities in Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Condominiums (FL)
Plug-in electric vehicles are one of the fastest-growing segments of the automotive industry, and sources have claimed that sales of such vehicles are predicted to reach one out of every five vehicles sold during the next decade. As a result of this growing trend, condominium communities nationwide are confronted with numerous concerns which must be […]
The Case For Holding Regular HOA Board Meetings
A board of directors plays a vital role in whether or not a homeowner’s association (HOA) runs efficiently and effectively. This group of individuals is responsible for making decisions in the best interest of the overall community and its members. While most individuals dread the idea of adding more to their already over-scheduled plate, HOA […]
What are the Responsibilities of the ACC Committee?
An association’s CC&Rs typically require association approval before a person makes any physical changes to the outside of his or her property or the common area. The committee responsible for overseeing modifications, additions, or alterations to lots is most commonly referred to as the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) or Architectural Review Committee (ARC), though there […]
Rethinking and Refreshing Your Community Association’s Eco-Friendly Green Initiatives
Everyone knows that “going green” is good but it can be difficult to know what that means exactly for a Community Association and how a board can actually implement “Green Initiatives”. In community associations, each individual can make a positive impact on our environment, and in some cases, we can save money by going green. […]
Sustainability: Going Green in Your HOA
Green communities translate into lower operating costs while providing beneficial lower environmental impact for the community as a whole. Read on to see how your HOA can become more efficient, save energy and valuable resources, and better yet, save money! Read the article…………………………
Does Your State Require Community Association Managers to be Licensed? What HOA Boards Need to Know
There are currently eight states and the District of Columbia that require Community Association Manager (CAM) to be licensed. These states include: Alaska California Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Nevada Virginia Read the article………………………….
Political Signage/Activities (AZ)
In what will assuredly be a contentious election year, it is important for community associations to be knowledgeable and cognizant of relevant statutes regarding political signage/activities. ARS Sections 33-1261 (Condominiums) / 33-1808 (Planned Communities) severely limit a community association’s power to restrict/prohibit political activities, including: Read the article……………………….
Slip and Fall On Condominium Premises (MI)
Over the last four years, there have been numerous Michigan Court of Appeals decisions addressing slip and falls on the Condominium Premises. Given that Michigan’s weather is turning colder by the day, the risk of significant personal harm on slippery snow and ice only increases. As a continuation in this series regarding slips and falls […]
What is a Nuisance and What Does it Mean to Your Association? What Boards and Managers Need to Know
When a board member or community manager hears the phrase “nuisance”, many thoughts come to mind regarding what this means, and how it may impact their association, but, more often than not, most do not know what a nuisance really is and what the association may need to do to deal with a nuisance. The […]
Tips to Protect Your HOA from a Data Breach
If you’re like most association board members, you probably think you have a good handle on potential risks the association might face. Concerns such as injuries from accidents, disputes among neighbors, and potential lawsuits against board members may top that list. But there’s a risk too many people overlook: data security. Read the article…………………….
Drone Technology Can Help Manage Maintenance of Your Association
The days of dangerously balancing yourself on a ladder to capture a picture of a roof are long gone. Drone technology is changing the way we detect future building needs, from chipped paint to roof damage. As drones become more affordable, people enjoy using them as a hobby. Balancing the usefulness of a drone for […]
New Year’s Resolution: Lower Legal Expenses (CO)
As we say good-bye to 2019 and welcome 2020, many of us have created a list of New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps your community has made a resolution to lower expenses? Perhaps your community took it one step further and resolved to lower legal expenses? But how is an association to do that? Below is a […]
Privacy Rights, Confidentiality, and Data Security for homeowners’ associations
With the current prevalence of identity theft, it’s not surprising that data protection has become a significant concern of homeowners when entrusting their information to a Homeowners’ Association (HOA). And privacy should likewise be a chief concern of HOA boards. Associations, and particularly their board members, are regularly entrusted with homeowners’ sensitive, confidential materials, often […]
Snow Removal in Your Association (IL)
Frigid temperatures. Ice scrapers. Salt bags. Snow plows. These are some of the words that come to mind when you think of “Old Man Winter”. According to the 2020 Farmer’s Almanac, Chicago is anticipating an above-normal perception in the form of snow and rain. And with winter weather comes the task of finding the right […]
How to Choose a Homeowner’s Associate Management Company for Your Community
Is your HOA Board considering hiring an HOA management company? If so, you might have some questions, like “How do we know which company to pick?” or “What should we look for in a management company?” Luckily, the process doesn’t have to be as complicated as you may think. It’s best to start by knowing […]
HOA Homefront – New Year’s resolutions of HOA service providers
This is the fourth and final installment of this resolutions series, which previously addressed directors, homeowners, and managers As the association’s service provider, I resolve to: Read the article…………………………..
Does Your Community Association Have a Vaping Problem? (MI)
Electronic cigarettes (or “e-cigarettes”) were first introduced into the U.S. market in the mid-2000s (see here) but only recently garnered national attention when e-cigarette smokers began developing mysterious lung injuries, some of which have been fatal (see here). As of July 2019, 8% of Americans reported vaping (smoking an e-cigarette) within the past week, with […]
Preventing Board Burnout: How to Keep Volunteers Happy and Engaged
Serving on an HOA board comes with a lot of responsibility. Board members must balance their time with their home and work obligations. Many board members willingly volunteer for the task and they are eager to contribute to the good of the cause. That enthusiasm and passion can quickly disappear when they start to feel […]
Meeting Minutes – Guidelines for HOAs and Condos
One of the most common complaints about Association Boards is “lack of transparency”. Owners sometimes think that Board members are overly secretive and don’t share enough information with owners. When new Board members join, their first instinct may be to include as much information in the Minutes as possible, so that there is complete “transparency” […]
Can Board Members be Sued
Board members can be sued personally but only within specific parameters. Even though board members have a fair amount of protection under the law, it is a fairly common occurrence in Florida for board members to be brought into lawsuits as direct defendants. While those types of lawsuits generally are not successful, the association should […]
Why The Seating Arrangement At HOA Meetings Is So Important
Meetings are a necessary component of homeowner association operations. The seating arrangement at HOA meetings is critical to a productive outcome. Foreign diplomats are particularly careful in choosing the shape of the table and who sits next to who since the slightest faux pas can have disastrous results. In King Arthur’s day, meetings were held […]
Learning Robert’s Rules for More Efficient HOA Meetings
As a board member or association manager who has a full, rich life outside your HOA duties, you are likely looking for a way to increase the efficiency of your association’s meetings. Alternatively, maybe you aren’t bothered by the length of your board meetings, but you have a fellow board member who is incredibly passionate […]
Removing a Condominium Owner: A Complex Legal Process (IL)
Removing a disruptive, abusive, non-paying, or otherwise problematic tenant from a rental building is relatively easy. Doing the same thing in a co-op is also possible, though substantially harder. But removing a condo owner from the premises (and effectively wiping out his or her equity position as a member of the condominium association) is very […]
Condominium and Homeowners Association Transfer Fees; Limitations or Not (FL)
Transfer fees are those fees a homeowner’s or condominium association may charge a unit owner or homeowner in connection with the sale, lease or other transfer of a condominium unit or home. There are significant differences between transfer fees which are permitted for homeowner’s associations as compared against condominium associations. With respect to transfer fees […]
Important Tips for Managing Trees in Your Community Association
Trees can serve as a great visual asset for your community association. Not only do trees add to the overall landscape but they also create oxygen and protect us from the elements. Regulating and encouraging proper tree management is essential for several reasons. A tree may develop a disease, have dangerous limbs, or a homeowner […]
Homeowner Associations And Their Budgets
Many homeowner associations find it difficult to hold the line on expenses. Inflation erodes endlessly increasing budgets and members scream for relief. But help is on the way. There are practical ways to reduce costs without cutting services. The HOA’s budget is like a collection of uncut gems of different type, size and quality. Some […]
HOA Homefront – New Year’s resolutions of HOA managers
As an association professional manager, I resolve to: Read the article……………………………….
How to Hire the RIGHT Community Management Company. A Primer for Condo, Townhome and HOA Board Members (IL)
Welcome to the Board Member’s Guide to Hiring the Right community property management company. Whether you live in a condo association, townhome association or Homeowners Association, it is critical that you have the right management company with the right qualifications and credentials to properly manage your association. Read the article…………………………….
Security Cameras
Many homeowners, in both single family and condominium communities, are investing in their own security and surveillance cameras. Technology has made it extremely easy to access security footage on an individual’s cell phone. Further, a number of companies have released reasonably priced devices for individual usage. For example, a “Ring” doorbell allows the homeowner to […]
What Can the Association Do About Damage From Water Infiltration Through Brick? (NJ)
Brick is among the materials that are most commonly used as an exterior cladding material on condominiums and other residential buildings in New Jersey. If correctly installed and maintained, it will usually last for the life of the building without allowing water to penetrate inside the wall cavity where it can damage sheathing and framing. […]
HOA Tenant Tenets
One of the issues that many HOAs grapple with is renters. Some ban them outright, others limit their number. Most live and let live. Interestingly, the HOA has no direct legal authority over renters, only its homeowners. This disconnect creates some practical problems for the board or Manager in communicating with tenants since there is […]
Is Your Association Set for a Financially Successful Year? (IL)
Many condominium and common-interest community associations are faced with a cash-crunch crisis when members fall behind in the payment of their proportionate share of assessments and common expenses. Associations are businesses, even if not-for-profit, that needs revenue to operate. Thus, it is imperative that Associations remain financially viable by collecting assessments. Read the article…………………………..
Is It Time to Review Your Hiring Procedures?
Advertising, reviewing applications, and interviewing prospective candidates is a long process. For volunteer boards, retaining good employees is vital to avoiding the hiring process altogether. If your board finds that there is too much turnover, it may be time to review your hiring procedures. Analyzing the best way to streamline your procedures may just lead […]
What To Do If There Are Insufficient Reserve Funds
What are reserve funds and what are they used for? Reserve funds are broken down into capital and non-capital expenses; capital would be replacing a roof; non-capital would be painting. These are IRS terms really, but for HOAs reserves are in general a savings account saving up to take care of long-term repairs and replacement […]
3 Steps to Identify Responsibility for Burst Pipes and Property Damage in an Association (IL)
With the upcoming winter weather, it’s inevitable that condominium, homeowner, and townhome associations will have to deal with pipe bursts, leaks, and the resulting property damage. Below are three initial steps board members and property managers can take to determine who is responsible for repairs, unit damages, and/or damage to common areas. Read the […]
HOA Tenant Tenets
One of the issues that many HOAs grapple with is renters. Some ban them outright, others limit their number. Most live and let live. Interestingly, the HOA has no direct legal authority over renters, only its homeowners. This disconnect creates some practical problems for the board or Manager in communicating with tenants since there is […]
How to Prepare Your HOA for Natural Disasters & the Benefits of HOA Natural Disaster Preparation
One issue that is very important for HOAs to consider is how their community can prepare for a natural disaster. HOAs that fail to put these protocols in place can subject themselves to legal liabilities in the future. If your HOA has not prepared a natural disaster plan or is looking to update it, it […]
Installing Personal Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Condominiums (FL)
In 2019 almost 1/40 new cars sold were electric vehicles (EVs). This amount is expected to almost double by 2022, with EVs representing 1/20 new cars sold, ultimately reaching 1/5 in a decade. In Florida, condominium associations are required by law to accommodate an owner’s request to enable EV charging, however, the cost for […]
Liability Insurance for Homeowner Volunteers
Q: Our homeowners association needs new decking in one area by the clubhouse. Some homeowners have suggested forming a committee and doing the labor themselves to save money. They are willing to sign a waiver of liability. Would our general liability insurance cover any accident? Read the Q&A…………………………..