While it is common for buildings or associations of any size to have designated committees in place to help boards and management handle aesthetic, social, and other community concerns, “green” committees are a more recent trend…though, one that is gaining traction all over the country as environmental consciousness is raised. Read the article…………
Smart Planning and Care of Trees
They are the greenery that gives life to our cities, the leafy giants that give us shade and that unforgettable rustling sound just outside our windows late at night. Trees are the unsung heroes of the urban landscape and with proper planning and care, they can add immeasurably to the livability and character of a […]
Landscape Committees Embracing the Challenge, Improving Curb Appeal
No matter the size of community, one of the goals any condo or HOA has for their landscaping plan is to increase owner enjoyment of the property and enhance their investment purchase. Larger complexes often have a landscaper in house, or under contract, to care for the lawns, flowers, greenery and other plantings around the […]
The Landscape Renovation Process in Your HOA
As homeowner associations age, both structures and landscape wear out. And just like those groovy harvest golds and avocado greens of the 70s, landscape tastes have changed. Fortunately, the varieties of plants available have made the options wonderful and numerous. The best news of all is that creative use of these options coupled with the […]
Case Tests Homeowners’ Associations’ Icy Sidewalk Liability (NJ)
The New Jersey Supreme Court is considering whether homeowners’ associations and their maintenance contractors can be held liable for injuries caused when they fail to clear snow and ice from sidewalks that they own and have pledged to maintain. Read more……….
Caring for Paved Surfaces: It’s a Pave New World
The pavement you walk and drive upon daily is easy to take for granted—but it’s a major part of your condo or HOA’s infrastructure. Understanding the materials and methods involved in installing and maintaining a multifamily community’s paved surfaces can save everyone a lot of hassle, time and money. Read more……….
Grow Low H20 Plants in Your HOA
One of the great challenges most homeowner associations experience is how to reduce landscape maintenance and water costs. Xeriscaping is a method of combining attractive, pest resistant and low maintenance native plants in a way that conserves water. It is based on seven basic horticultural principles: Read more……..
HOA Board Checklist: Help Residents Stay Prepared in Cold Weather
Cold and wet conditions cannot only make an Association miserable, but they can also create damage to the homes and buildings within the community. Some winterizing can wait, but some cannot! An HOA board can help residents out by making a list of what needs to be done, and tackle the time-sensitive tasks first. Here […]
Limit Liability of a Slip and Fall
Winter is a great season for many reasons. The beautiful snow makes a breathtaking landscape and means it’s time to go skiing. However, winter also brings ice, which increases the chance of someone slipping and falling. If someone slips on your association’s property, they may file a lawsuit or claim, so make sure you limit […]
The Five Most Common Slip-and-Fall Areas Co-ops & Condos Should Guard Against
How significant are slip-and-fall cases in the world of co-ops and condos? A quick and unscientific review of the cases filed in the last year shows that more than half seemed to be slip-and-fall cases. A cross-section of insurance brokers, managing agents, and attorneys reported that these were the five most common slip-and-fall areas you […]
Asphalt Paving 101 in Your HOA
Asphalt is the material of choice for homeowner association roads and parking lots. It’s a mix of about 92% stone aggregate and mineral filler combined with 8% asphalt binder. This combination allows it to stay in place and repel water. Because it stays dry, it has the strength to carry traffic loads and lasts a […]
BRRR! Cold Weather Maintenance Headaches: Who is Responsible?
So far this winter, the Denver area has experienced mostly unseasonably warm weather, which has spared us from the usual flurry of snowflakes and frozen pipe claims. But as we all know, Colorado weather is a fickle thing and a cold snap can strike at any time. When the temperatures plummet, a common (and often […]
Make It Green: What should HOAs know before making landscape improvements
Around this time of the year, many homeowner associations (HOAs) dream of lovely events called a general membership meeting. As part of this process, HOA committees want to know when is the right time to invest in landscape improvements. Read more……..
5 Tips for a Healthy Fall Lawn
Follow these five helpful fall landscaping reminders for a healthier yard and plants. Read more………..
Water Efficient Landscape Maintenance – The Easy Way
Here in California we’re experiencing one of the worst droughts in decades. State wide, officials are calling for more stringent limitations on water usage. Water conservation is becoming necessary and even mandatory.Whether your HOA needs to save water to comply with state mandates, wants to save money or simply wants to be eco friendly – […]
Three Things Your Board and Residents Should Know About Trees
There is no question that properly maintained trees are an asset to a home and community. Generally speaking, the HOA or condominium board’s primary responsibility is to maintain trees that are located in common areas; however, the association may have language in the covenants or landscape policy that adds additional responsibilities. Without proper communication and […]
Spring Showers Bring Summer Weeds – How to Achieve Homeowner Compliance in Your HOA
Now that summer is here, many HOAs and their members are dusting off the grill, repairing the lawn mower and opening the pool to the summer crowds. Spring and summer bring new life to HOAs but also bring new problems in making sure members keep lots up to the HOA’s standards. Read more………
No Mow Blow & Go For Your Homeowner’s Association
Ahhhhh Spring! Thoughts of lovers turn to love and those of landscaper contractors turn to growing things, like the lawn. It’s time to weed, fertilize, remove moss and reseed to get it up and growing again. For homeowner associations, this usually means the landscape contractor has also been busy for weeks firing up the irrigation […]
Why Have a Landscape Committee?
Opinions on landscaping are like noses. Everybody’s got one. And they usually wait to express them until after you’ve done your annual landscaping plans. Improving the landscaping is one of the most popular reasons for homeowners to run for the board. They know best and the board doesn’t have a clue. In most areas where […]
HOA Community Landscape Upkeep
As a member of a community run by a homeowners association, you pay to live in a well-kept space. Sometimes, the community landscaper isn’t able to maintain the standard of beauty your community deserves, at which point in time, your HOA will need to find a new landscaper. Other times, it’s not a landscaper issue […]
No Stone Unturned: Hardscaping as a Functional Design Element
When most people think of landscaping, they think of shrubs, trees, meticulously laid-out and maintained flowerbeds, and artful plantings scattered around a building or development. Landscaping doesn’t end with growing things, however Read more………
Landscaping Translates Directly to Market Value
Aside from “location, location, location” there is only one other constant in determining the market value of your home: curb appeal. That first impression the prospective buyer gets when approaching sets the tone for everything that follows. The old axiom about judging a book by its cover is easily translatable to real estate. Even the […]
Fallen trees – Don’t be a sap
The massive ice storm that recently devastated the Toronto area felled whole trees and large branches. This damage to the urban canopy knocked out electrical service to hundreds of thousands of people and caused untold property damage. With the post-storm clean-up now underway and expected to last several weeks, condominium managers may need guidance dealing […]
Who Removes Dead Ash Trees from the Common Elements?
We have been asked if a Board can pass a rule requiring the owner closest to a dead Ash tree on the common property to remove the tree at the owner’s expense. If this is a condominium, usually the Declaration will require the Board of a condominium association to maintain and repair the common elements, […]
HOA Project Roll-out
Winter is the time of year that a homeowner association board should be soliciting and reviewing proposals for fair weather renovation projects like painting, fencing, pool replastering, asphalt sealing and roofing. There are several practical reasons for starting the process early: Read more…….
HOA Seasonal Issues: Measures for Preventing Slip and Fall Accidents
With winter just around the corner, HOA communities must start preparing for one of the most dangerous seasonal issues: slick surfaces in common areas such as sidewalks and entryways to community buildings. Slip and fall lawsuits are some of the most common legal cases HOAs encounter, and the reason why is obvious: it is difficult […]
Old Man Winter’s Coming: Now is the Time to Prepare for Winter’s Arrival!
A cold, wet spring turned quickly into a hot, humid summer rife with thunderstorms and localized flooding throughout the northeast. As autumn starts to paint the region’s foliage, community association boards and managers are looking at long-range forecasts and, in their annual ritual, wondering what winter will hold this year. Read more……
Manicured ponds not always the best for environment
A familiar scenario plays out like clockwork in Brevard County ponds. Just as mama and baby ducks, wading birds and tiny fish start to frequent the sprouting native plants, out comes the herbicide. Read more….
Flying through a Fowl Situation
Birds are beautiful, graceful and melodic. They give a sense of being close to nature and add to the feel of our community. But too much of any one thing is never good. Whether it’s a trail of droppings, territorial aggression or destructive nesting and feeding patterns, birds can make life more expensive and a […]
The Irrigation Situation
One of the first things both prospective residents and visitors to a condo or HOA notice are the beautiful grounds and lush landscaping surrounding the property. Of course, a key component in maintaining all that greenery is the availability of fresh water. Because of the topography of New Jersey, access to water can vary a […]
Spring Ahead: 6 Things to Look for on Your Spring Property Walk-through
In Wisconsin, we’re still in the rainy season, but those sunshine-filled days are just around the corner. April and May are an excellent time to conduct a walk-around of your property to look for damages that may have occurred over the winter. It’s also a good time to make sure that all owners are in […]
It’s Spring, Time to Ward Against Water Issues
It may be April Fools Day, but it’s no joke that every year around this time insurance companies see many flood issues and claims from homeowner associations. What’s worse, flood insurance is expensive and the typical HOA insurance policy does not provide coverage for flood and surface water claims. So, how do you protect yourself […]
Eco-Friendly Landscaping: Long-Term Savings for Your Condo Community
In the face of rising water costs, maintenance costs, and a continued depressed housing market, many community associations are finding long-term savings through new landscape strategies that also help our environment. Eco-friendly landscaping practices are not just the domain of the nature lover anymore. They can mean significant returns on your investment. Read More……
Chemical Concerns: Organic Approach Reduces Costs and Health Risks
Since the 1950s, American lawns have been “hooked” on petroleum-based and synthetic chemicals. A plethora of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers have been eagerly embraced by both homeowners and landscape professionals, who cannot resist the dramatic results—an almost instantaneous, lush, green lawn Read More……
Treating Trees: Landscape Elements Deserve Some TLC
Months have slipped by, but it’s not easy to forget the damage that last year’s brutal weather brought to the trees in the New England area. In June, severe tornadoes touched down in Massachusetts, leaving total devastation in their wake. Read More……
Feeling Flowerful? Colorful Flowers Add Punch to a Community’s Eye Appeal
The phrase, “April showers bring May flowers” is a classic—but in real-life condo communities, beautiful, abundant flowers are a bit more complicated than merely a little bit of rainfall, and don’t just spring up overnight. Read More……
The Big 10: Top Questions to Ask Your Landscape Pro
Part of the job of a condo board is to keep your association’s grounds or lawn looking healthy and attractive. After all, curb appeal can do wonders when it comes to appraisals and even the morale of your community members. But most condo boards—whether urban or suburban—are populated by volunteers, few of whom are likely […]
Working With Homeowner Associations
Why should bird conservationists work with homeowners associations? San Diego Audubon has a great workbook answering this question, and providing guidelines for creating and implementing sustainable, nature-friendly landscaping projects within planned communities administered by a homeowners association. The 20 page guidebook also includes a case study from the community of Eastlake in Chula Vista, California, […]
You Need to Keep Logs of When You Shovel Snow and Ice! Here’s Why
The condo board at the Village Mall at Hillcrest Condominium, in Queens, thought it was doing everything it had to do on that winter’s day. Its porters and superintendent regularly used a small tractor to remove snow, and a plastic device on wheels to spread salt onto the sidewalks. But they kept no logbook of […]
Get the Weeds out of the HOA Common Area
Some people call them weeds, other just say plants growing in the wrong place. They seem to sprout overnight and can grow flowers that emerge in a heartbeat. Recent rains have resulted in vigorous growth. If left unchecked can steal water and nutrients from neighboring plants. Where do they come? What can be done to […]
Concrete Concerns: Caring for Your Community’s Paved Surfaces
Freezing, thawing and deicing undoubtedly take their toll on concrete during typically harsh New England winters. Corrosion of concrete is an issue in the Northeast, and homeowner associations need to ensure that the concrete forming their sidewalks, pavement and parking lots, as well as walkways and balconies, is properly installed and maintained.