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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  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

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?

[Read more…] about Best Practices for Collecting 
Delinquencies from Unit Owners — 
and the Effect of the Unprecedented Times on the 
Payment of Common Charges and Assessments

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

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