ASSOCIATIONHELPNOW
By Alyssa Gautieri
A community does not allow generators, however, a resident recently asked if they could have one because they’re afraid of losing power since they require medical equipment that runs on electricity. Another resident has requested an accommodation for a generator because they have anxiety regarding a potential power outage. When should an association make an accommodation for a generator? [Read more…] about When Should an Association Make an Accommodation for a Generator?
By Alyssa Gautieri
The unit owners’ constant echo of “more transparency” is prevalent in many associations. Some owners have the opinion that they should be presented with every contract before it’s decided upon and be involved in every decision. However, most unit owners don’t understand the amount of research and due diligence that has been devoted to these decisions during many hours by members of the board along with their management teams and professionals. Some unit owners want to be presented with these things in the matter of a few minutes at a board meeting and be given the same authority to decide as those who have done the work and also have the fiduciary responsibility in making these decisions. How can a board uphold the feeling of transparency while ensuring the association is protected, with confidential information remaining confidential?
[Read more…] about The Constant Call for Transparency — What is Proper Transparency?
By Alyssa Gautieri
As a property manager, you notice that the balconies in a few of your units are beginning to show signs of water damage. Meanwhile the stucco is beginning to crack along the exterior of a few different units. Neither problem seems to be widespread or urgent at this time, but you’re concerned that similar construction defects may cause future damage to other units. How can you control the issue before it gets out of hand? [Read more…] about Understanding Construction Defects Related to Stucco, EIFS, and Brick
By Alyssa Gautieri
In a 200-unit association, several unit owners have failed to pay their assessment fees within the last few months. What are some actions that associations can take in order to collect the debts?
By Alyssa Gautieri
You’re on the board of your condominium and a unit owner has filed a civil lawsuit against the association. The attorney representing the association is working with the board in handling its defense. But, now you’ve received a deposition subpoena. What should you do?
[Read more…] about What to Do if You’re Called for a Deposition
By Alyssa Gautieri
This issue seems to come up every year. What can an association do about over-the-top holiday decorations, and the ones that seem to stay up all year?
[Read more…] about Best Practices for Rules About Holiday Decorations
By Alyssa Gautieri
Pickleball — a court sport which uses perforated plastic balls and composite or wooden paddles about twice the size of ping-pong paddles (ranging in price from $50-$150) — is now considered to be the fastest growing sport in America. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) 2018 Pickleball Participant Report, pickleball currently has 3.1 million players in the U.S. — an increase of 12 percent over the previous year. The sport has also had a 650 percent increase in numbers over the last six years. [Read more…] about How to Get a Pickleball Program Started in a Community
By Alyssa Gautieri
You’ve recently moved to a condo and your dog is having difficulty adjusting to community association living. There are many more people around than when you lived in a regular single-family home. There are also many more dogs around. Your dog starts barking like crazy. Maybe you’ve received complaints about your dog barking while you were at work or out running errands. [Read more…] about Why Do Dogs Bark? Helping Dogs Adjust to Condo Living
By Alyssa Gautieri
Now that winter is behind us, many people may notice their roads have some extra bumps when driving or riding a bike through the roads in their communities. A pothole, which is a depression in road surface, in a parking lot or on side street can often lead to driving and biking accidents, and result in injuries within a community association. Potholes also tend to lower the curb appeal of a community association, so even the sight of a pothole is likely to cause angst and irritation among community members. [Read more…] about What Do We Do With These Potholes? Handling Potholes within Community Associations
Whether it is regarding finances discussed in a board meeting, an unethical board member or the specifics behind a majority vote, a board member does not have a legal or fiduciary responsibility to speak out or express their opinion on matters pertaining to the association, according to David Byrne, an attorney with Ansell, Grimm & Aaron, PC in Princeton, New Jersey, and Chairperson of the firm’s Community Association Law Group.
[Read more…] about Do Board Members Have a Fiduciary Responsibility to Express Their Opinion?