The Association’s Records Knowing which association records should be kept, where to keep them, and how to store them can help an association maintain ac- cess to important historical data. Association records should contain information that the board can use as a reference for future projects or possible evidence in a lawsuit or audit. Records …
Association Board Member Elections Cultivating, nominating and electing board members is something that should always be on the minds of current board members. Politics in any arena can be tricky, but in associations it can also sometimes be difficult to find people willing to serve. Many people feel unqualified or even afraid to volunteer due …
The Fair Housing Act & Civil Rights Violations of the United States Fair Housing Act (FHA) can result in severe penalties for associations. Knowing how to govern your community responsibly in this regard is highly important. What is a common sense approach to staying in compliance with the FHA? There are generally two subsets to …
What is a transition? A transition occurs when control of the association transfers from the developer, sometimes known as the declarant, to the members of the association. Many states mandate a point at which the developer must transfer control, such as a number of years after the establishment of the first board of directors, or …
What is a construction defect and what should an association do if one is discovered? A construction defect is a constructed item with a condition that deviates from the accepted architectural plans, building codes, and/or industry standards. One example would be walls that are missing vapor barriers. According to Greenstein, the first thing an association …
Transitions What is a transition? According to attorney David J. Byrne, there are two types of transitions. The first, he said, is transition of control. The transition of control is when a community’s control is transferred from the sponsor to the developer during the sales process. The second, Byrne said, is the transition to responsibility, …
What are reserves, and why do associations need to have them? In order to answer these questions, and provide other important details on this topic, we spoke with Tanner Oldenburger, PE, RS, Regional Engineering Manager from the Twin Cities, Minnesota of- fice of Reserve Advisors, Inc., a company specializing in reserve studies, serving clients in …
Construction Defects What is a construction defect and what should an association do if one is discovered? “A construction defect is a condition of a constructed item that exists in deviation from the applicable architectural drawings, applicable building codes, and/or applicable industry standards (manufacturer specifications),” said attorney David J. Byrne. The first thing an association …
Plumbing is a crucial part Plumbing is a crucial part of any community association. As such, it is important for managers and board members to become familiar with common plumbing problems and the process for working with a contractor. What kinds of issues are easily recognizable? What should managers and board members look for when …
The Fair Housing Act & Civil Rights Violations of the United States Fair Housing Act (FHA) can result in severe penalties for associations. Knowing how to govern your community responsibly in this regard is highly important. What is a common sense approach to staying in compliance with the FHA? According to attorney David J. Byrne, …