HOA

Court says solar panels must go (MO)

A Missouri appellate court rejected a homeowner's appeal of an order to remove solar panels from property in the Lake…

8 years ago

Fiduciary Duty and What it Means for Your HOA Board

Just try saying that five times fast. Not only is it a serious mouthful, it also carries serious legal obligations…

8 years ago

How to Run Concise HOA Board Meetings

Being on a homeowners association board means volunteering your time for best of your whole community. It can be an…

8 years ago

The Drone Debate: Should Drones Take to the Skies at Your Co-op or Condo? (NY)

Drones. Everyone has heard of them. No one is sure what to make of them. Are they destined to be…

8 years ago

Is Your HOA Reserve Fund Being Managed Properly?

How you handle your HOA reserve funds really makes a difference in the successful running of your association. The quality…

8 years ago

3 Tips to Dodge the Pitfalls of Poor HOA Security

Neighborhoods with HOAs are often very secure places in which to live. However, there are a lot of pitfalls that…

8 years ago

Need Help for Bank “Zombie Foreclosures” in Homeowner & Condominium Associations?

A huge problem for HOA and condo associations over the past 5 years has been “zombie foreclosures.” That’s where a…

8 years ago

Effective HOA Meetings

It can be frustrating to be part of a meeting that’s disorganized and seems to go on and on. It’s…

8 years ago

Changes in Nevada HOA Legislation

If you own a home with a mortgage, you already know one type of lien: your mortgage. However, there are…

8 years ago

Litigating Construction Defects in Community Association Property: Part IV

Once all of the necessary parties have been added to the proceeding and some basic discovery has been conducted, the…

8 years ago

HOA Repairs: Who Is Responsible?

Repairs and maintenance are part of owning any property. However, for homeowners who live in a neighborhood with an HOA,…

8 years ago

Explosions in the Sky

Setting off fireworks is a bright, colorful way to celebrate certain special occasions. While most commonly associated with the 4th…

8 years ago

Hoarding in Your Condominium: What Every Michigan Association and Property Manager Should Know

As the weather becomes warmer here in Michigan, many homeowners or co-owners undergo the yearly “Spring Cleaning.” Unfortunately, many condominium…

8 years ago

Maintaining Roofs: Repairs, Replacement, and Responsibility

A building’s roof serves as the first line of defense against whatever the skies throw at its inhabitants—wind, rain and…

8 years ago

FHA Condo Approval Changes

FHA loans are government-insured housing loans that make it easier for people with low credit, low income or a high…

8 years ago

Fireplace Safety in Your Home and HOA Community

For many, the essence of winter is curling up next to the warmth of a crackling fireplace while enjoying the…

8 years ago

Condo-monium over construction defect fable undone by real Colorado market statistics

There’s only one thing left to do in the controversy over whether Colorado should back off requiring homebuilders to stand…

8 years ago

Core Values and Expectations for HOA Board Members

Board members come together from vastly different backgrounds to focus on the common goal of serving their community. Some are…

8 years ago

The Role and Importance of the Reserve Study in Determining an Appropriate Reserve Fund

A well-run condominium can be thought of as having two components: (1) physical assets, which are the buildings, structures, and…

8 years ago

Marijuana in Communities

We are often asked whether a condominium association may prohibit cigarette smoking in common areas, or in units or single…

8 years ago

3 Social Media Tips for Your HOA

Social media can be a great tool for any association, but only when used correctly. If you never post anything…

8 years ago

Collection Options For Community Associations Limited By Court Ruling: The Role Of Lis Pendens In Exclusive Court Jurisdiction

In the recent case of Jallali v. Knightsbridge Village Homeowners Association, Inc., 2016 WL 320601 (Fla. 4th DCA Jan. 27,…

8 years ago

Security Measures in Your HOA: Lights, Camera, Action!

A quandry that homeowner associations face is how implement security measures when a known violent resident exists. The board has…

8 years ago

Why a Loan is (Sometimes) a Good Idea for Your Homeowners Association

Your association board is planning for the big project on the horizon, and is currently reviewing how to finance it.…

8 years ago

Can a Python Be an Emotional Support Animal?

Can snakes, the animal commonly known for instilling panic upon sight, actually help to ease anxiety? According to snake owner…

8 years ago

5 Tips for a Successful HOA Neighborhood Watch

Crime is a concern and a risk in any homeowners association. But incorporating certain trusted systems, such as a neighborhood…

8 years ago

How To React to HOA Fraud

This week, we discuss how to react if you do not bulletproof your HOA against embezzlement and discover your HOA…

8 years ago

Legal Obligations for HOA Board Members

Many HOA Board members don’t fully understand the legal obligations that come with serving their community. You rarely see one…

8 years ago

Florida Condominium and Homeowner Association: Know Your Governing Documents and Florida Law

Condominium associations and homeowner associations (HOA) are abundant in Florida. These types of associations are typically governed by declarations/covenants and…

8 years ago

In the ‘Shadow Wood’ of SFR: Nevada Supreme Court Weighs in on Lender HOA Challenges

In a September 2014 ruling, the Nevada Supreme Court jolted the lending community by holding that a homeowners association’s (HOA)…

8 years ago

9 smart tips on how to handle nasty neighbors

Even the most beautiful home in the most serene town can become a nightmare if you live next door to…

8 years ago

You are all Neighbors!

The first thing to remember when living in an association is that you are a neighbor to someone. If nothing…

8 years ago

HOA Board Code of Conduct

As a member of a volunteer homeowner association board, it's important to codify the goals and behaviors an effective director…

8 years ago

What to Ask a Potential Management Company

Every property management company has strengths and weaknesses. Some have a national presence but little understanding of local challenges. Some…

8 years ago

Volunteer Labor in your HOA: Worth the Risk?

HOA Board members face a lot of decisions when it comes to finances. Usually those decisions involve trying to figure…

8 years ago

Michigan Ct. of App. Rules That Amendments to HOA Restrictions Require Unanimous Consent

The Michigan Court of appeals recently made the following significant rulings that impact Michigan Homeowners’ Associations in Conlin v Upton,…

8 years ago

Rhode Island Supreme Court gives HOAs priority above mortgage liens

The Supreme Court of Rhode Island supports the homeowner's association “super priority” concept, making The Ocean State part of a…

8 years ago

How HOA Board Members Can Tune in to Meetings Online (CA)

Whether you’re out of town or out of commission, you can still attend the homeowners association board meetings by tuning…

8 years ago

Are Your Governing Documents Putting Your Community At Risk?

Many common interest communities have not kept their documents current with changes in the law, changes in their community or…

8 years ago

Marijuana and HOAs – What Can HOAs Do?

Odors from marijuana have now come to the forefront. Not just from smoking, but from cultivation.  For many attached home…

8 years ago

Why It’s Imporant an HOA Board Pays Attention to the Open Meeting Act

A good number of Board members understand that being a leader within their homeowners association can be a very rewarding…

8 years ago

Tips For Evaluating a Management Proposal

Choosing the best-fit property management company is one of the most difficult decisions an HOA or commercial property owner can…

8 years ago

Hung Out to Dry (CA)

Section 4750.10 has been added to the Civil Code in order to allow residents to use clotheslines and drying racks,…

8 years ago

Noise in your HOA Community

3 Steps for community peace; we’ll tackle world peace next time.     Noisy neighbors… Almost everyone will have to deal…

8 years ago

What amending your governing documents can do to save your association money

Over the last several years, homeowner’s associations and condominium associations across Florida have taken serious losses and written off large…

8 years ago

Condominiums And HOAs In A Growing Tech World: Drones (FL)

There is a growing sense of concern among community associations regarding the legal ramifications as the popularity and availability of…

8 years ago

Legal Update: Recent Statutory Changes Impacting Service Animals in Michigan

On October 20, 2015, Governor Rick Snyder signed into law Senate Bills 298 and 299 and House Bills 4521 and…

8 years ago

Tax Tips For Associations

The vast majority of condominium and community associations are nonprofit corporations, but even they have to file taxes. There are…

8 years ago

Part II of Guns in Community Associations Can your Board of Directors Restrict or Prohibit Firearms In and On the Common Areas?

In Part I of my blog post on guns in community associations, we discussed the fact that the U.S. Supreme…

8 years ago

Structuring Your HOA Board

Successful homeowner associations need a strong Board of Directors. Members understand their role and responsibilities. They have a roadmap. They…

8 years ago