When a board tells me that they wish to terminate their management agreement, I ask: What happened in the past 30 days to make you want to take that direction? I am then told that service has deteriorated over the course of months or years. My follow-up question is: How often did you meet with […]
How To Transition Smoothly To A New HOA Management Company
Switching Homeowners Association (HOA) management companies can be a big change for any board member or community. Whether you’re looking for better service or fresh ideas, the transition process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With careful planning and clear communication, you can make the switch as smooth as possible. This article will walk you through […]
Time Management Tips for HOA Executives
Juggling the responsibilities of an HOA executive can be a time-consuming challenge. Between board meetings, resident concerns, and managing team members, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide offers time management tips specifically designed to help HOA executives conquer their workload and reclaim their sanity. From the power of time blocking to leveraging technology, discover […]
Workplace Violence Prevention Plans – Community Associations With Employees Need to Comply
California has long required employers to establish, implement and maintain an injury prevention program. With the passage of Senate Bill No. 553 (SB 553) last year, California has imposed now upon employers the additional obligation to establish, implement and maintain in all work areas, an effective workplace violence prevention plan (“WP Violence Plan”) which contains […]
Community Association Management Contracts Considerations: Indemnification (VA)
Community associations are engaged in multi-faceted and dynamic operations, often handling a wide assortment of items from handling reserve funds to arranging for swimming pool operations. There are also considerable administrative burdens in the operation of a community association such as handling communications with owners, payment of insurance premiums, collection of assessments, and preparing Virginia […]
‘Economic mismatch’: A shortage of Ontario condo managers is driving up fees
As the Ford government pins its hopes of solving Ontario’s housing crisis by building 1.5 million new homes by 2031, a chronic shortage of qualified people to run new condo buildings threatens to drive up costs for homeowners even as new units finally come online. Read the article…………………………….
2024 Florida Legislative Recap: SB 382 Modifies Continuing Education Requirements for CAMs
This summer, Governor Ron DeSantis signed several Bills that directly affect condominium, homeowners’, and cooperative associations. On May 17, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 382 (“SB 382” or the “Bill”), which modifies continuing education requirements for Florida-licensed community association managers (“CAMs”). The Bill is effective July 1, 2024; thus, all CAMs and associations should […]
To Give or Receive: A Guide to Crafting a Gifting Policy for Managers, Management Companies, and Boards
Gift-giving in the workplace amongst managers, management companies and vendors can be a thoughtful gesture, but it can also be complicated by the untrue perceptions or lack of understanding where “the line” is. To ensure a positive and ethical environment, management companies need clear gifting policies that managers and our vendor partners understand and abide […]
Understanding Roles: The Board vs. Management Company in HOAs
Homeowners’ Associations play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of residential communities. Ideally, at the heart of every HOA’s operations are two essential entities: the Board of Directors and the Management Company. While both entities work towards the common goal of enhancing community living, their roles and responsibilities are distinct. Read the […]
How to Choose a Property Management Company
No two communities are identical; each community has various factors which influence what type of management will most effectively help them accomplish their goals. Some of these factors include the availability of resources and the complexity of the community itself. Read the article…………………………….
Guarding your Association’s Finances: Best Practices to Combat Payment Fraud
Community Association Management companies are under siege from high-tech conmen determined to rip them off. From check fraud and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks to account takeovers and vendor impersonation, fraudsters have become more brazen and more sophisticated. Mailbox keys purchased on the Dark Web or stolen from postal carriers have made it easy for […]
FTC’s Final Rule: Understanding the Ban on Non-Compete Clauses
On April 23, 2024, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its final rule on non-competition clauses, voting 3-2 to adopt the final regulations, known as the “Non-Compete Clause Rule.” This rule marks a significant milestone, establishing a comprehensive ban on non-compete agreements. The decision comes fifteen months after the FTC released its proposed […]
The FTC Announces Non-Compete Ban: A Seismic Shift for Worker Mobility with Legal Challenges (MN)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) creates uncertainty in the U.S. labor market with its recent announcement of a near-blanket ban on non-compete agreements. This bold move, intended to increase worker mobility and competition. The new rule is set to take effect in approximately 120 days, or around August 20, 2024. However, the FTC is expected […]
FTC Votes to bar Most Noncompetition Agreements, But Don’t Throw Out Your Noncompete Yet!
The Federal Trade Commission (often referred to as the “FTC”) voted today to bar non-competition agreements or “noncompetes,” both retroactively (for all but top corporate officials and senior executives holding a policy-making position and making not less than $151,164 annually) and in the future. Read the article…………………………….
Preferences on Remote Work Revealed in New Survey
The traditional office model is a thing of the past. A recent survey conducted by the Foundation for Community Association Research reveals new insights into employee and management preferences. The findings could help ensure a balance and a smooth transition into evolving workplace models. As we navigate the post-pandemic landscape, the traditional 9-to-5 office model […]
HOA and Condo Association Management Software Market Insights Discussed Regarding Impressive Gains
A new study report by Infinity Business Insights, with a focus on HOA and Condo Association Management Software Market Insights through 2031, has been launched. This comprehensive product, which is over 150 pages long, is enhanced by visually appealing tables and charts that are simple to read. This thorough study on the HOA and Condo […]
Understanding the Role of Community Managers and Dispelling Common Misconceptions
Homeowners’ Association (HOA) community managers play a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning and upkeep of residential communities. Often misunderstood, their duties encompass various responsibilities, ranging from administrative tasks to facilitating communication between residents and the board of directors. Let’s delve into the intricacies of their job description and dispel some common misunderstandings surrounding […]
Unveiling the Evolution of the CMCA Exam Blueprint: Changes Go into Effect December 2024
The Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB) is poised to usher in a new era for the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) exam, offering a revamped blueprint that mirrors the dynamic landscape of association management across the globe. These changes, stemming from a thorough job analysis study conducted between 2021 and 2022, reflect […]
Elevating the Homeowner Experience in Community Association Management
Many factors contribute to how community association management companies can enhance the quality of life for their homeowners and boards. To ensure a positive relationship with their associations, management companies must be mindful of their homeowners’ needs, the role of technology in the relationship, transparent communications strategies, understanding how to solicit and incorporate homeowner feedback, […]
Hiring an HOA Company: How to Reduce Conflict and Improve Community Services
It’s no secret that homeowners associations have proliferated in the United States. We’ve gone from 10,000 in 1970 to an estimated 365,000 associations in 2023. It’s virtually impossible to find a home for sale these days that isn’t part of an association. Homeowners associations provide huge benefits to their residents, but they also have no […]
Ask the HOA Expert: Professional Management Perks
All too often a homeowner association board of directors approaches problems as would a renter looking after the apartment building…reacting by crisis rather than by a long range plan. Guess what? Many HOAs are in constant turmoil because of this approach. A professional HOA manager can smooth out the bumps in this rocky road by […]
Unlocking Hidden Revenue: Innovative Strategies for HOA Management Companies
…..you’ll discover the secrets to transforming your HOA management business by identifying untapped revenue sources and implementing innovative strategies. Learn how to maximize profitability, enhance client satisfaction, and stay ahead of the competition in the ever-evolving world of HOA management. Listen to the vlog………………………….
The management company answers to the HOA (NV)
Q: We live in an older homeowners association of 385 single-family homes. We’ve lived here 14 years and in the last few years have had several community management companies, each seemingly worse than the last. These big national companies increasingly despise committee and volunteer involvement. Read the Q&A……………………………
Recruit, train, retain: Attracting young professionals to community management
If you talk to community association managers these days, they seem to agree on a few key things about the state of the profession. Business and career prospects are booming. Job candidates are not. The future of the industry depends on hiring young professionals—soon. Read the article………………………………..
HOA Homefront: Readers want to know who watches the managers? (CA)
Q: What state agency oversees management companies? The management company manager refuses to speak to any of the other board members except the president. Read the Q&A…………………………….
The Property Management Contract (NY)
Retaining a new management company is not unlike getting married, but instead of romance, there’s a management contract. Each company has different clauses in their standard contract, and it’s important to understand the scope and limits of these terms. You should also know that you can negotiate a property management contract. Read the article………………………………..
Preserve HOA sues Hammersmith Management (CO)
On August 28, the Preserve at Greenwood Village Homeowners’ Association filed suit in Arapahoe County District Court against its former management company, HDM2 d/b/a Hammersmith Management, Inc. (HMI), which provided management services to the Preserve neighborhood for X years until August 2022, when the HOA terminated its relationship with Hammersmith. Read the article…………………………………
Reducing the stigma: Learning to talk about, prioritize community managers’ mental health
As rewarding as community association management can be, the career path also faces high rates of burnout, depression, and mental health issues. Those challenges are rarely discussed, but Bill Overton, PCAM, of Desert Resort Management in Palm Desert, Calif., has been trying to lower the stigma around mental health struggles in the industry. Read the […]
Lawmakers look to ban shadow noncompete agreements in property management contracts (MN)
Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, said she and Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, will write a bill prohibiting property management companies from forbidding homeowners associations from hiring their workers. Read the article………………………..
New Community Association Management Rule Takes Effect (IL)
New administrative Rules governing Community Association Managers and Community Association Management Firms (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1445) became effective June 2, 2023. The new Rule represents a major overhaul to the prior Rule, which was adopted in October 2011. Read the article………………………..
The Role of an HOA Management Company: A Comprehensive Guide
Many Americans live in common-interest communities, such as homeowner’s associations (HOAs) and condominium associations. In fact, in 2022, about 26% of Americans lived in HOAs alone. That means thousands of communities nationwide designed to govern themselves and enhance home value for their residents. Read the article………………………..
California Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling More Than $1 Million from Employer
California woman was sentenced to 66 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,791,334.81 in restitution for embezzling more than $1 million from her employer, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. Read the article………………………..
Some condo workers released from shadow noncompetes by FirstService Residential (MN)
Residents of the River Towers condominiums in Minneapolis like their building’s staff. The building’s staff like the residents — many have worked in the building for years. But a provision in the contract between the condo association and the building’s property management company, FirstService Residential Minnesota, means neither the residents nor the workers have a […]
Minnesota banned noncompetes. A major property manager has a workaround.
When the property management company FirstService Residential Minnesota announced it was dropping noncompete clauses in employment contracts, it said the change aligned with the company’s values. But a provision persists in its management contracts with condominium associations that says FirstService workers (including desk attendants and caretakers) may not be employed — either directly or indirectly […]
The Myth Of Full Service Management
Many homeowners associations mistakenly believe that they require full-service management for smooth operations. However, this kind of mindset might cause associations to overspend on an expense they don’t even need. Read the article………………………..
Condo Management Giant’s License Is Reactivated By Hawaii Regulators (HI)
Following a regulatory compliance problem that rendered Associa Hawaii unable to practice in the state, the property management giant has come into compliance with state laws governing such firms, state records indicate. Read the article………………………..
Miami-Dade state attorney discusses property management cases, bill that would help prosecute crimes (FL)
Local 10 News has reported several stories from South Florida residents frustrated by their condo and homeowners associations and property management companies. “I have three complaints with case numbers,” said condo owner Jenny Trujillo. “They have done nothing.” Read the article………………………..
Bids vs. Contracts: Warnings and Legal Liability (CO)
We have previously addressed the importance of Associations having proper, legal contracts that protect the Association and how proposals are not to be signed in lieu of contracts, etc. Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more issues with bids & contracts that produce liability for the Association and at times managers. Please note the following […]
Condo Adviser: Condo boards are not legally required to hire management companies (IL)
Q: I live in a sprawling, suburban condominium association that comprises 25 separate buildings with condominium units in each building. The association is self-managed because the board has refused retaining a professional management company to save money. Does Illinois law require a management company to be retained if there are a certain number of buildings […]
What Are the Responsibilities of an HOA Management Company? (TX)
Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are organizations where homeowners work together to manage their properties and ensure a high standard of living for all residents. Managing an HOA might be a complex process because HOA’s volunteer board members often have jobs and other responsibilities. Read the article………………………..
Workers threaten second strike at Twin Cities’ largest condo management company (MN)
Desk attendants and caretakers at FirstService Residential, the largest property management company in North America, announced on Thursday they will launch a second unfair labor practices strike at condo buildings across the Twin Cities unless the company’s leaders come to the negotiating table. Read the article………………………..
Condo owners in complex confused after two different management companies demand fees, assessments (IL)
Q: I live in a condominium complex in suburban Chicago. There’s a problem with the managing company for the property. Recently, the board of directors of our association hired a new management company while the association was still under contract with our old management company. They’re using an attorney to try to get rid of the […]
B.C. facing a critical shortage of strata property managers, industry says
British Columbia is facing an acute shortage of property managers as a growing number of people make their homes in strata properties. More than 1.5 million people are estimated to live in B.C.’s 30,000 strata properties. But finding people to manage those properties is getting increasingly difficult, Read the article………………………..
It May Be Time to Review Your Management Contract (FL)
Last week I blogged about the possibility of Board members walking off with your association bank accounts. Bank accounts that are about to explode with mandatory reserves and huge construction contracts that are on the way. Today, let’s talk about what you need to know about your management company. Read the article………………………..
Frustrated South Florida community teams up, fights back against property management company
Residents of one South Florida community are describing how they fought back and got rid of their property management company. “We got rid of BDM thank God,” said Fairways of Sunrise owner Claire Knight. “It was hard work, but a group effort.” Read the article………………………..
Managers wanted: Solving the talent shortage
Anyone working in community association management is likely aware that the industry is facing a talent shortage. At CAI’s event for management company executives in October, attendees were questioned about the scarcity, with 85% of respondents reporting current openings. In a time of high turnover and the so-called “great resignation,” how do we attract and […]
FirstService caretaker says he and wife were fired for union activity, wage theft lawsuit (MN)
Kevin Borowske and his wife were fired recently by FirstService Residential after a history of organizing workers for fair pay and a union. He led a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Minnesota caretakers at FirstService — the largest property management company in North America —for wage theft and won a $225,000 settlement (before attorney fees) […]
Florida Professional Service LLC Personal Liability Protections: Perks and Pitfalls
Managers and members who provide professional services in Florida often choose to organize their businesses into Limited Liability Companies (“LLCs”) because LLCs generally provide freedom from personal liability for the obligations of the LLC. This blog post discusses exceptions to the general prohibition on holding LLC members or managers personally liable for the LLC’s obligations […]
HOA Homefront: Managers’ New Year’s resolutions
Previous columns proposed resolutions for directors and HOA members, so today I share my ideas for managers. Next week, I’ll dig into resolutions for service providers. Read the article………………………..
Condo development in Greenacres fires property management group (FL)
Changes may be coming for people who live at a condominium community in Greenacres where one of the buildings lost electricity for two weeks recently. Read the article………………………..