Almost seven years after Hurricane Maria hit the Island, there are still thousands of condominium owners who have not received payment for insurance claims, and many have shown dissatisfaction with the litigation in court.  According to statistics from the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, by the end of 2023, nearly $22.3 million in claims were still owed to policyholders.  The report indicates that the total number of claims among all categories that were pending was 303,924, of which 200,419 are residential property, with condominiums being the most affected.   Read the article…………………………….

Recently, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit (which includes Puerto Rico) decided that a condominium association is a “person” eligible to file bankruptcy. While the court did not permit the bankruptcy to go forward due to fraud, the decision is significant for condominium associations that are saddled with debt.  The court’s reasoning follows:  “ was not eligible to be a debtor under §109. However, the bankruptcy court also dismissed the petition on an alternative ground — the lack of a legitimate bankruptcy purpose for the filing. ...

In blog posts and comments, two residents of a Virgin Islands condominium complex criticized two other residents who were (in line with rights prescribed to them under federal law) keeping emotional-support dogs despite a no-dog rule in the complex. Among other statements, one or the other of the two said dog owners would be “happier in another community,” speculated that “diploma mill” paperwork could certify any canine whose owner cared to claim stress, suggested the complex should “lawyer up” and be prepared to go to court to defend its rule against “known violators,” and proposed the dog owners be “ostracized” by other residents.   Read the article……………

This case is a collision between dogs as emotional support animals and a “no dogs” condominium association rule. The civil rights implications of a “no pets” rule are pretty obvious; such a rule can exclude the disabled. At the same time, we know that emotional support animals can be overclaimed, and we also know that the tiniest of disputes in condo/homeowners’ associations can easily mushroom into the Apocalypse.   Read the article…………

Simply put, when someone is employing ethics, he or she recognizes what is right and what is wrong and is choosing to do the right thing; however, as a great deal of business ethics literature will attest, “the right thing” is not always straightforward. For example, most ethical dilemmas in the workplace are not simply questions of “Should Bob steal from Jack?” or “Should Jack lie to his boss?”

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Community Harmony & Spirit

Every community has its own history, personality, attributes and challenges, but all associations share common characteristics and core  principles. Good associations  preserve the character of  their communities, protect  property values and meet  the established expectations of homeowners. Great  associations also cultivate  a true sense of community,  promote active homeowner  involvement and create a  culture of informed consensus.

Community Volunteer Leadership Development Program Community volunteer leaders and members can maximize the benefits of community association living by better understanding the history, purpose, and function of community associations. One way to do so is by participating in the Center for Community Association Volunteers’ (CCAV) Community Volunteer Leadership Development Program – offered online or by local CAI chapters.    Read more…….