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Sherri Hall

Parking Garages: Warning Signs, Maintenance, and Repairs

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By Sherri Hall

A parking garage can be a great convenience to a community’s residents. In fact, many may become so accustomed to having one, they might not really give it much thought. However, according to Scott Baryiewski of South Shore Construction in Roselle, New Jersey, it’s important for an association to keep parking garages included in their maintenance plans. Left neglected, a slew of problems can occur, some of which may lead to the need for costly repairs and lengthy repair projects. [Read more…] about Parking Garages: Warning Signs, Maintenance, and Repairs

Installing UV Lights in Air Ducts — 
Will it Kill the COVID-19 Virus?

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By Sherri Hall

With information on the COVID-19 virus and how it spreads constantly being revised, many people who live in community settings are concerned and want to be sure their associations are taking the steps necessary to keep residents and staff safe. This is especially true for those living in a high-rise community where air ducts are shared throughout the building. [Read more…] about Installing UV Lights in Air Ducts — 
Will it Kill the COVID-19 Virus?

The Importance of Customer Service in Community Associations

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By Sherri Hall

It’s no secret that customer service is an essential part of any industry.  This, of course, includes the community association industry where customer service is a high priority for property managers and management companies. But who are the customers in this industry?
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Excess Reserves – Is it Possible to Have Too Much? Amenity Closures and Project Delays Due to Coronavirus Could Put Some Associations in This Situation

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By  Sherri Hall

Oftentimes, associations find themselves faced with the task of imposing a special assessment to take care of an emergency item that wasn’t budgeted for in the reserve fund. But what if the reserve fund did have enough to cover the cost of the unexpected repairs because it just so happened to be overfunded? How can an association even find itself in such a position with an excess reserve fund? 

[Read more…] about Excess Reserves – Is it Possible to Have Too Much? Amenity Closures and Project Delays Due to Coronavirus Could Put Some Associations in This Situation

How, When and Why a Manager Should Recommend a New Vendor

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By Sherri Hall

Here’s a familiar scenario, not new by any means, but none the less an issue managers deal with frequently. The association you’ve been the manager for during past two years has had the same landscaping company since you came on board. The current board members have been in their positions before you became the manager at the community. However,  there are a few new board members who have been complaining about several issues with the landscape maintenance in the community. The longer serving board members have become very friendly with the landscaper – and it has been noticed the landscaping crews take time trimming the shrubs in those board members beds, which is not part of the contract. Meanwhile, the newer board members have also noticed leaves go uncollected in parts of the community,  some brown spots are appearing on common area lawns go untreated, weeds are not attended to in as timely a fashion as they should, all which are part of the current landscaping contract. As a manager, how should this issue be handled? Is recommending putting the landscaping contract out for bid the best solution? Will the longer standing board members hold it against the manager if they recommend leaving a beloved vendor who is not acting within their contract? What is a manager to do? We spoke with Denise Becker, PCAM, Regional Manager with Corner Property Management, to gain some insight on the subject. 

[Read more…] about How, When and Why a Manager Should Recommend a New Vendor

Mind Your Minutes — Best Practices for Meeting Minutes and the Dissemination of Information on Meetings

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By Sherri Hall

Among the responsibilities of condominium and community associations is the obligation to maintain accurate records.  Accordingly, the taking  and keeping of  minutes of board meetings is extremely important to the proper operation of an association. But what is the proper way to do so and what information must be included? We spoke to Attorney Stefan Richter of Clemons Richter & Reiss in Doylestown, Pennsylvania for an expert opinion on the subject of meeting minutes.

[Read more…] about Mind Your Minutes — Best Practices for Meeting Minutes and the Dissemination of Information on Meetings

Ways to Control the Stress of Being on the Board – 
From a Manager’s Perspective

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By Sherri Hall

Property managers are used to walking around their communities and having residents come up to them with questions, complaints, suggestions and more on a regular basis. However, managers get to go home at the end of the day. For board members, though, home is the community. Oftentimes, board members are faced with these interactions with residents during their “off” time. 

[Read more…] about Ways to Control the Stress of Being on the Board – 
From a Manager’s Perspective