As Americans, we cherish our First Amendment rights – chiefly among them, our freedoms of speech and expression. In November, for many that includes the freedom to express their political beliefs. As recent news stories have shown us, homeowners are willing to go to great lengths to express themselves, especially when they feel their rights […]
Beaumont resident at odds with home owner’s association over political signs (TX)
As local and statewide races heat up political signs have popped up in yards all over Southeast Texas as many believe they have the right to show support for their favorite candidates. Read the article………………
Case Alert: A Very Un-Jolly Christmas for One North Carolina Homeowners Association
The North Carolina Court of Appeals delivered a lump of coal to one homeowners association this winter. In McVicker vs. Bogue Sound Yacht Club, Inc., available here, which came out on December 20th, the Court of Appeals ruled that a homeowners association had exceeded its authority when it attempted to collect a construction bond from […]
Don’t Be an HOA Scrooge with Holiday Decor
Most HOAs have rules about what people can and can’t put in their yards and this can range from signage to holiday decorations. Whether an HOA should be able to limit decorations isn’t what we want to discuss. Instead, we want to talk about how to encourage your community to celebrate their holidays with decorations […]
Stay Off The Naughty List When Planning Holiday Events
The trick-or-treaters have come and gone, and there is an ever-so-slight briskness in the air. That means the holidays – and all the twinkling lights, festive decorations and parties that come with them – will soon be upon us. But before you pull out the tinsel and send out those invitations, the best place to […]
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree-Holiday Decorations in Your Community Association
The title of the article is tongue-in-cheek, to be sure, but like any “good” joke (we can debate whether the word “good” is appropriate here), there is a grain of truth behind it. The fact is, holiday decorations are an issue that all Boards must address, saddling the Board with the unenviable task of prohibiting […]
Political Signs in HOA’s and Free Speech
The 2016 presidential election was one of the most vicious the US has seen. As a result, HOAs are struggling to decide between free speech or forbidding political signs. To learn more about HOAs, political signs and free speech, check out these three FAQs. Read the article…………
Check With Your HOA Before You Decorate (TN)
Before you break out the crates filled with holiday cheer or buy that new outdoor-lighted display, you may want to check with your Homeowner’s Association. Whether you rent or own, the HOA’s rules apply to all residents of the community. Read your HOA covenants or check with the Board to make sure your holiday décor […]
Keeping Your Community on Track During the Holiday Season
Holidays can be a lot of fun when you live in a planned community, condo or co-op. But when you are on your association’s board of directors, they can also be a lot of work. You have to make sure all the prep work is done, decorations are up, vacations are covered and parties are […]
4 Tips to Read Before You Deck the Halls in the Homeowners Association
During the holiday season many homeowners association members plan festivities with friends and loved ones. With all of the merriment that’s sure to ensue, it’s important that the HOA board reminds residents who are hosting celebrations to not only be considerate of their neighbors, but also take note of the Association’s rules. A complete listing […]
Bah humbug! You’ll be arrested for climbing this HOA’s Christmas tree (NC)
The cheerful looking note – adorned by a cartoon Christmas tree – was sent to home owners with a less than cheerful headline: “The annual request to stay off and out of the tree.” What followed was a friendly holiday threat from the Baxter Community Home Owners Association in Fort Mill, S.C, to its thousands […]
Common Area Political Statement
The events of the past few days remind us how politically divided our country is on so many issues. It seems that in some cases opposing political parties disagree simply to be disagreeable. But in the United States it’s our right to express our views — heck, it’s part of what makes us Americans. These […]
Holiday Decorating: Keeping it Festive, Tasteful, and Fair
Since before recorded history, people have celebrated events, often decorating homes and public spaces to mark this or that special day or event. We still love to adorn our doors, windows, and other areas with festive décor at different times of year, but in a modern, densely-populated setting like a co-op, condo or HOA, the […]
All About Political Signs in Your HOA Community
With Election Day right around the corner more people are posting political signs in their yards. Regardless of yours or your neighbors’ political opinions, it’s necessary for your community to have rules and procedures around displaying political signage. Most states/cities/counties have laws in place regarding the number and size of political signs people can post […]
What Did That Say?? Political Signs & Free Speech (WA)
It is often said that this U.S. presidential election has been the most polarizing election in modern times, if not all time. Because of the strong opinions on every side, more and more community associations are having to address not just the mere existence of these signs, but also the content. With the presidential and […]
Happy Halloween – How to Best Handle Over the Top Halloween Displays
I love Halloween! It is one of my favorite holidays of the year. It’s only October 18th and I have already placed colored lights outside and have decorated our front door with a banner, scary door hanger with noises, a skeleton, pumpkins and a black cat. My children (ages 8 and 9) love all the […]
Action Line: Political signs, road closures and bed bugs
QUESTION — Can a homeowner in a homeowners association place political signs in their yard or at their condominium? ANSWER — My editors said everyone knows what an HOA is, but there was a lot I didn’t know about them, so I’m going to explain it. Read the Q&A……….
Political Signs in NC & SC Associations
With a month to go before a major political election, questions about political signs are rolling in. Can we do something about political signs on association property? How many signs can an owner have in his yard? Can the association remove signs from a homeowner’s yard? Read the article…………….
Decorate for Halloween Without Scaring the HOA
Halloween is coming, which means doorsteps will soon be adorned with pumpkins and gourds and those plastic figures that scream when you walk by and those enormous blow-up bats … unless the HOA sets up rules far in advance. Here’s a quick guide that will help you set rules that will keep your property festive […]
When House Rules Override the First Amendment
Condo residents ordered to remove “Hillary for President” sign from their window. It happens every four years: signs and posters supporting presidential candidates sprout in New York City windows, on lawns, and outside apartment buildings. It’s a basic freedom of speech, right, to express your preference for a particular presidential hopeful? Read the article…………….
Four Ways To Set Decoration Policies Without Ruining the Holiday Party
People decorate for everything these days – from Valentine’s Day to the patriotic celebrations of summer and on to the fall festivities and winter wonderlands. Many people derive a sense of community and comfort from seeing familiar decorations at the same time each year. There are also your community association’s rules and standards to consider. […]
Sign of the Times
With the Republican and Democratic National Conventions behind us, campaign season is now in high gear. Many people feel very strongly about who should become our next President and would like to convince as many people as possible to vote for their preferred candidate. While not everyone has the time to volunteer for a campaign or the means to make donations, many people will […]
How Can the HOA Board Be Politically Correct During Campaign Season?
The presidential race is in full-swing and everyone is gearing up for the home stretch of campaign season. While some people prefer to keep their opinions to themselves, others want you to know exactly who they’re voting for and why. How does all this come into play when you live in a homeowner’s association? […]
Political Signs in HOAs: What Residents, Boards and Managers Need to Know (CO)
For those of you who know me, you know that I’m a political junkie. But even for me, this political season has seemed like it has already lasted for an eternity and I don’t remember politics ever being quite this nasty. With the Republican and Democratic political conventions almost behind us, I can guarantee that […]
Florida Community Associations Should Tread Carefully in Restricting Political Signs
Every four years, as presidential elections heat up, condominium and homeowners association communities throughout Florida are faced with the issue of political signs being posted in front yards, on balconies, in windows and on and around the common areas. Association attorneys are often consulted, and most would advise associations to be extremely careful with how […]
Can HOAs limit the display of political signs? (NC)
With an election year upon us, we’re again getting inquiries from our HOA clients on what, if anything, they can do to limit the size or number of political campaign signs owners can put on their property. The answer depends on several factors, one of which is what the local municipal ordinances have to say […]
Association limits campaign signs in common areas
Q: I am a candidate for the board of my condominium association. I made some campaign posters which I posted in the community center to announce my candidacy and to introduce myself to the owners. The association told me that I had to remove the posters. As a candidate for the board of my condominium […]
How to Effectively Inform HOA Residents on Outdoor and Decorating Regulations
Setting clear boundaries is a very important aspect of the relationship that the HOA Board has with its residents, but it can sometimes be difficult to establish boundaries, effectively while still keeping everything peaceful. Here’s a look at some of the more effective ways to inform HOA residents on outdoor and decorating regulations, ways to […]
Holiday Decorations, HOAs, and Happy Homeowners
It’s the time of year when holiday decorations are hung and a festive spirit fills the air in communities across Southern California. Just because your community is governed by a homeowners association doesn’t mean that you can’t transform your house into a winter wonderland. Use these helpful tips for residents and HOA boards to brighten […]
Holiday Decorations
The holiday season is upon us and no holiday season is complete without holiday decorations. However, opinions vary as to what is tasteful and appropriate holiday decoration. While many view holiday decorations as an expression of the holiday spirit, over-done displays can be an eye-sore or create traffic problems. Of particular concern in some communities […]
‘Tis the season
Here we go, it’s the holidays! And you can bet there will be headline news about excessive, over-the-top holiday decor on HOA homes. Because news media do what they do. Read the article………….
Huckleberries: A ‘War on Christmas’? Not so fast
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re aware of the plans by attorney Jeremy Morris to erect a ha-huge Christmas display in his new Hayden ’hood. And of the pushback coming from his homeowners association. The association is threatening to sue if he does, alleging he would be in violation of the association’s covenants. […]
EDITORIAL: Political signs display constitutional rights
The state mid-level appeals court that decided last week in favor of Queensbury homeowners who put political signs in front of their house took the easy and practical way out. The case involved a conflict between Peter and Peg Jasinski and the Hudson Pointe Homeowners Association, which sets rules for the neighborhood where the Jasinskis […]
Holiday Decorations Spur Trivial Disputes but Raise Important Issues for Condominium Associations
The holidays are past; the ubiquitous holiday music has (mercifully) been silenced; and community associations that had been arguing with owners about the holiday decorations they were displaying, or wanted to display, are now arguing about when the decorations should be removed. Read more………
Make a Good Impression: Signage in Your Homeowners Association
You’ve heard the phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” But sometimes, it’s important to not underestimate the power of first impressions. Take the signage in your homeowners association for instance. Read more……..
Not in My Yard: When Tensions Flare Over Front Yard Issues
Condos and HOA communities can be a great setting to own a home, enjoy privacy and the comforts of your own personal space. But, there will always be tension between the desire to make your unit your own, and adhering to the rules of the community for the greater good, which is usually peaceful coexistence […]
How to be a Grinch
I’ll admit it, I’m something of a Grinch. I’m just not very good at putting up the holiday decorations that so many other people do so well. My neighborhood is having a holiday light competition. I haven’t managed to put up any lights, but if I were to put up anything, it would look like […]
Rules for the Holidays
The holidays are just around the corner, and for many people, that means lots of festivities with friends and loved ones. With all of the merriment that’s sure to ensue, it’s important that residents who are hosting celebrations are not only considerate of their neighbors, but also take note of the association’s rules. A complete […]
Can Your HOA Put Its Mitts on Your Mitt Sign?
Ah, November! The month when Americans put up political yard signs hoping to sway their neighbors’ votes — until the community association tells them to get that sign out of the yard. If you’re one of the more than 60 million Americans — about one in five U.S. residents — who live in a home […]
Déjà Vu All Over Again: Political Signs in Community Associations
As reported in the Press of Atlantic City, Anita Carbonara has two signs in support of President Barack Obama in the windows of her Barnegat Township home. The Board of Trustees at the Heritage Point, Ms. Carbonara’s homeowners’ association, wants the signs removed. Ms. Carbonara previously made a request to the Board to allow her […]
MAZDABROOK COMMONS HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION v. KHAN
MAZDABROOK COMMONS HOMEOWNERS’ ASSN v. KHAN MAZDABROOK COMMONS HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. WASIM KHAN, Defendant-Respondent. No. (A-65-10), September Term 2010 (067094).Supreme Court of New Jersey.Argued October 24, 2011.Decided June 13, 2012. CHIEF JUSTICE RABNER delivered the opinion of the Court. The question in this appeal is whether a homeowners’ association can prohibit residents from posting political signs […]