If you have thought about giving back to your local community, joining your community association’s board is a great way to do that. As a board member, you are a leader in your community, and other residents rely on you to make choices in the best interests of the entire community and those living there. […]
Deep Fried Turkeys: Don’t Let Your Holiday Go up in Flames
A time filled with gratitude, food, and – disaster? The Thanksgiving holiday, with all its warm spirit, can unfortunately bring danger as well, especially when fried turkeys are involved. Thanksgiving leads the holiday season with the most home cooking fires, as there are approximately two to three times more fires on this food-driven holiday than […]
88th Texas Legislative Session Preview
The time has come. The unofficial start to another legislative session is here. Bill filing for the 88th Texas Legislative Session begins Monday, November 14. Following the 87th Texas Legislative Session, uncertainty continues to reign over the POA landscape. Managers, board members and POA attorneys are waiting to see what potential bills could rock the […]
Must Have Insurance Policies for POAs (TX)
Insurance has quickly become a hot topic for the POA industry. Claims are on the rise and as a result, combined with economic factors, rates for policies are costing more than ever. Along with the increase in claims and rates, there has been a decrease in coverage amounts and fewer available polices for POAs are […]
Minding mental illness: Solving community conflict that involves psychological disorders
At a time of continuing economic and social unease, how should community association board members and managers confront mental illness issues? Sometimes, community conflict is unavoidable and associations must take action to avoid liability while honoring its obligations. Read the article………………………..
Is Your Association Ready for a Recession?
With inflation on the rise and economists forecasting a potential recession in the near future, it’s easy to start worrying about your finances and the finances of your community. A recession could result in job loss, difficulty finding employment, and cost of living increases, which could impact homeowners’ ability to pay assessments as well as […]
How to Make Online Voting Work for Your HOA
Online voting is a great tool designed to pair the greatest need of an HOA—homeowner involvement—with a technological solution. As a follow-up to an earlier article about community voting, this week we will share the benefits and challenges of online voting for your HOA. Then, we will provide some best practices to consider when planning […]
Can short-term rentals be restricted by homeowner’s associations or the city? Here’s what legal experts say. (TX)
Proponents of short-term rentals have argued homeowners associations and city governments alike don’t have jurisdiction to ban them, citing a Texas Supreme Court case decided in 2018. Opponents of short-term rentals say the court opinion works in their favor by expressly allowing cities and homeowners associations to limit the minimum duration of rental periods. Read […]
Inflation: How It Impacts Your HOA
Whether at the grocery store or on the news, you’ve likely heard and felt the impact of this year’s inflation. With costs steadily rising, it is important that HOAs prepare ahead of time to avoid their community running into financial trouble. Below, we’ll cover some of the impact inflation can have on your community and […]
Flood Preparedness Guide
From water damage to ruined personal items, floods can be a nightmare for homeowners. To learn how to best protect your home in the event of a flood, review our in-depth guide below. We’ll cover how to prepare before any potential flooding, how to stay safe during a flood, and how to best recover once […]
Texas 2021 Legislative Changes – What You Need to Know
Whether you are a board member or a resident, it is important to keep up with the legislative changes that may impact how your association can be governed. Several changes were made to the Texas Property Code in 2021 that impact what property use restrictions an association can adopt or enforce. To make these changes […]
Three Reasons Why the Cost of Insurance is Increasing for Condominium Associations (TX)
The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida have placed greater scrutiny on the activities of condominium associations and their boards. One of the ramifications of this increased scrutiny has been an increase in the rates of all insurance policies, with a major impact on property, general liability and […]
High-Rise Maintenance Tips Your HOA Should Follow
High-rise buildings have unique and sometimes challenging maintenance obligations. An essential responsibility of the association is to ensure that the community is maintained to the highest possible standard, focusing on safety and appearance. Read the article………………………..
Why Are HOA Section 8 Tenants Becoming A Problem For HOAs? (TX)
A homeowners association in North Texas has recently come under fire for forcing the eviction of HOA Section 8 tenants. Now, the HOA says it will allow the tenants to stay until the end of their lease. Read the article………………………..
Statute of Limitations
Assessments are an important factor in any HOA, funding day-to-day operations, repairs and improvements, and the association’s reserves. When homeowners pay their assessments on time, it not only helps make the board members’ lives easier but also benefits the community as a whole. Read the entire article……………………………….
9 HOA Fourth Of July Celebration Ideas To Foster Community
Holidays only come every once in a while. So, when they do, homeowners associations should take the opportunity to plan social events designed to foster a sense of community among residents. Here are the best HOA Fourth of July celebration ideas to get you started. Read the entire article……………………………….
The Power of Committees (TX)
The operations of property owners associations (POAs) can often be vast and complex. Asking the board of directors, who are volunteers, to be hands-on in every facet of operations is often difficult if not impracticable. To keep pace with the requests and needs of homeowners, Boards will often turn to other members of the POA […]
Texas Town Wins Immunity From HOA Suit Over Single Access Road
The Supreme Court held that, absent a clear abuse of discretion, governmental immunity protects a zoning commission’s determination that a proposed subdivision conforms with applicable law. Read the entire article……………………………….
Parking Enforcement Tips
Community streets crowded with parked vehicles can create visibility and maneuverability issues that make driving to and from your home difficult. It’s harder to see children playing on the sidewalk and move past oncoming traffic if cars are lined up along each side of the road. That’s why, in this article, we’ll give tips to […]
9 Tips for Creating a Budget for Your Community Association
For many people, their home is their most valuable asset. Not only is it a place to live, but it’s also an investment. That’s why it’s so important to have a well-run community association. Part of having a well-run association is having a well-planned budget. Read the entire article……………………………….
Onboarding Yourself as a New Board Member
Congratulations, you’ve just been elected as a member of your community association board. You are now a representative of your community and responsible for ensuring things run well and fairly for all residents and that the association meets all of its (many!) obligations. Read the entire article……………………………….
CAI Announces Amicus Win in the Texas Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Texas determined that a party may qualify as a “prevailing party” under the Uniform Condominium Act by the parties who bring claims or successfully defend against claims. This case concerned whether a defendant condominium association is entitled to attorneys’ fees after obtaining a take-nothing judgment on claims by a plaintiff unit […]
How to Create a Comprehensive Community Maintenance Plan
A structured community maintenance plan guides community owners in their property management. Cleaning schedules, routine inspections, upkeep, and major outage strategies are part of the maintenance plan. Read the entire article……………………………….
Noise in Your HOA
The homeowners in your community will often live and work on different schedules: an ER nurse may sleep during the day and work night shifts, while a school teacher will need to get up far before the sun to arrive on campus before the students. This also means that lawns could be mown, dogs could […]
8 Tips to Protect Your HOA Reputation
The homeowner’s association (HOA) or condominium organization can assist in maintaining a cohesive and clean environment in residential communities. Community associations, like other organizations, rely on people to do key tasks and make decisions, therefore maintaining the association’s reputation is critical. The importance of homeowners is controlled by their capacity to apply safety practices and […]
Your Guide to HOA Finance, Accounting, and Budgeting
Keeping the association in good financial standing is one of the most important duties of an HOA board. Poor HOA financial management can have lasting consequences, so it’s crucial for board members to understand the basics of association finance. In doing so, they will know how to properly manage community funds and ensure the continued […]
Solar Panels in the HOA
When purchasing a home in an HOA, you make a contractual agreement to adhere to certain rules and guidelines concerning the aesthetic of your property. These rules can pertain to simple elements like paint color, landscaping, lawns and porch décor, and larger alterations like decks, structural changes, or the addition of solar panels. So, what […]
What Is An HOA Injunction?
It is the HOA board’s responsibility to enforce the rules set forth in their association’s governing documents. But what’s a board to do when enforcement methods, such as fines and suspension of privileges, do not result in compliance? If it becomes necessary to seek further enforcement, a court proceeding may be necessary in order to […]
HOA Open Records Request (AZ/TX)
Homeowners associations are obligated to keep a variety of detailed records for their homeowners to be able to access. Potential buyers and current HOA members may wonder what types of HOA records exist and what rights they have to view and review these documents. Read the entire article……………………………….
5 Tips for Increasing Collaboration Between Managers and Boards
When you work as a manager or board member, you’re expected to do your fair share of collaboration. Keeping tabs on every meeting and member can sometimes be overwhelming to the point that managers lose a sense of self and cooperation among one another. Although this is never a good thing, there are ways to […]
HOA Management Agreement
Hiring an HOA management company can add much value to a community and save board members a lot of time. In making a commitment to work with a specific company, it is important to know what to look for in the contracts they are offering. Read the entire article……………………………….
Tips for Setting HOA Board’s Annual Goals
Every Homeowner’s Association has a fiscal year to evaluate the previous year and set goals for the coming year. The plans can address a variety of topics, such as community enhancements and communication. Read the entire article……………………………….
Why Does an HOA Need an Architectural Control Committee?
When purchasing a home in an HOA, the buyer agrees to certain rules and regulations. They’re also agreeing to keep their home and yard up to certain standards and to adhere to the aesthetic of the overall community. This is where the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) comes in! Read the entire article……………………………….
Handling Community Conflict at HOA Meetings
It’s inevitable that some communities have a bully who attends board meetings in an effort to push their own agenda, belittle other members’ proposals, or even make others feel uncomfortable with their aggressive behavior. Sometimes it may be a homeowner; other times, it may actually be a fellow board member! So, what can you do […]
How Does Inflation Impact the HOA Industry?
How does inflation impact your HOA, and management in the greater HOA industry? Considering that inflation and HOA decisions both acutely affect today’s homeowners, this is an important question to ask. Read the entire article……………………………….
The Day-to-Day Politics of Serving on an HOA Board
While there are many aspects of serving your community, the position of a board member is an inherently political one simply because you’re constantly trying to create community cohesion and buy-in for your policy changes. Today, we’ll cover the various ways politics intersects with serving on an HOA’s board of directors. Read the entire article……………………………….
How Serving on Your HOA Board Benefits You
Maybe you’re new to living in an HOA community, or maybe you’ve lived in one for a long time and think it is time to get more involved. Either way, you’re probably wondering if you have what it takes to serve on an HOA board. You might be surprised to learn that most HOA board […]
HOA Board Member Requirements
An effective Board of Directors is critical to the success of any HOA. Board members should be reliable, ethical, and dedicated. They should also show good leadership, communication, and organizational skills. However, it often takes more than just these desirable qualities to select a qualified board. HOAs must also consider state statutes and association bylaws […]
Fences in HOAs
When you live in an HOA, sharing a fence with a backyard neighbor is often part of the experience. Whether you’re updating or modifying an existing fence or constructing a new fence, there are several things you should be aware of prior to initiating the process. Read the entire article……………………………….
Understanding HOA Reserve Funds (TX)
A homeowner’ association board has a role in ensuring its community runs flawlessly and with financial stability. However, the association may encounter a huge or unanticipated expense, such as a leak in the clubhouse roofing. If that happens, and the regular dues are not adequate to cover the unexpected expenses, the HOA’s reserve fund comes […]
The Role of Your HOA Management Company
There are many complexities involved in running a community governed by an HOA. Residents may wonder what the difference is between their HOA board and their HOA management company. Members of the board may question if they should invest in an HOA management company, or if they have the one best suited to them. Either […]
HOA’s and Sales Tax Exemptions (TX)
In Texas, property owners associations (“Associations”) are typically non-profit corporations created under Chapter 22 of the Texas Business Organizations Code. As a result, many Associations want to know if they qualify for certain tax exemptions reserved for non-profit entities, which can be significant over the life of the Association. Texas tax law provides an exemption […]
What Bill 1588 means for Texas HOAs
Rule changes are coming to Texas HOAs, and these changes should make homeowners pretty happy. Earlier in 2021, state legislators were considering several bills dealing with unfair or unnecessarily restrictive HOA rules. A few of those bills have passed, and they are expected to have a significant impact on property owners associations (POAs, also known […]
What Bill 1588 means for Texas HOAs
Rule changes are coming to Texas HOAs, and these changes should make homeowners pretty happy. Earlier in 2021, state legislators were considering several bills dealing with unfair or unnecessarily restrictive HOA rules. A few of those bills have passed, and they are expected to have a significant impact on property owners associations (POAs, also known […]
A Summer of Short-Term Rentals: Planned-Community Considerations (TX)
Industry experts are predicting strong demand for short-term rentals in 2021, due in large part to a re-opening economy and pent-up demand for travel. While the decision to encourage or restrict short-term rentals varies from project to project, at minimum, the impending influx in vacation renters warrants a discussion and review of short-term rental policies […]
Condominium and Community Governance Documentation: An Opportunity to Educate and Remove Obstacles to Action (TX)
For condominium and community developers, and their lawyers who draft and administer condominium and community governance documents, the tragedy of the Champlain Tower collapse in Surfside, Florida, should give pause. Though condominium or community governance documents cannot prevent a structural failure, there are a few things you should consider when designing and drafting these documents. […]
Planned Community (Non-Condo) Operational Deficits: Plugging the Gap (TX)
From the date of creation until death, a community association requires funds to operate. Operational funds for the association are obtained through assessments levied by the community association, but only as homes are built and conveyed to homeowners. As a result, in the early to mid-stages of a planned community life cycle, there will be […]
Strategic Planning for Your HOA
Having a strategic plan is different than simply having a general plan for matters within your HOA. Strategic plans have the ability to unify a community under a central goal, while also making long-term planning easier and more organized for board members. Ensuring that your community has an up-to-date strategic plan is one of the […]
Deck Maintenance: Why It Is Important and How To Do It
Many homes and multi-housing facilities have decks as they have become a popular way of adding more space to a home; besides providing a place to relax outside, decks are wonderful places to entertain guests and enjoy outdoor dining, especially during the warm months. Read the entire article……………………………….