Q. I have reason to believe my condo board is misusing common funds and hiring friends and family to carry out work on our property instead of bidding out the jobs. There may even be kickbacks involved. When I’ve reached out to our manage…
If you live in a condominium, cooperative or HOA, guess what? You’re part of a participatory mini-democracy run by an elected group of volunteers. As such, it’s to your benefit to get involved in how your community is governed in order to p…
In the world of owned residential communities like HOAs, condo associations, and co-ops, the issue of leased or sublet units is often the elephant in the corner of the communal room. Most owners choose to buy homes in shared-interest commun…
‘Tis the season for visitors, packages, and festive gatherings. Along with the good cheer, the end-of-year flurry of activity also highlights the challenges of keeping multifamily buildings and their residents safe and secure. In addition …
The proximity to neighbors that comes with living in a high-rise or townhome HOA can sometimes amplify situations that might seem less urgent in more spread-out communities. Along with things like noise and odors, residents’ behavior can al…
Q. I’m going overseas for a few months for work, and would like to rent out my condo while I’m away. One of our board members told me I have to submit an information packet to the board including the names, yearly incomes, and a bunch of …
For shared-interest communities, guarding the safety and security of residents is of paramount importance. Achieving those goals is more than a matter of key fobs and cameras, however. It applies to all kinds of hazards within communities’ …
From the outside, the structure of a condo, co-op or townhouse building may appear to be monolithic; just pieces of brick, steel, vinyl or wood, punctuated with some glass here and there. That’s an oversimplification, however. A multifamily…
Water is a necessity for living—but it’s also a potential hazard for all types of buildings, on both micro and macro levels. Whether it’s the result of extreme weather or an internal plumbing leak, water can cause serious damage to building…
Managing a residential building or association of any type is no small feat. Whether you're a trustee entrusted with fiduciary responsibility or a community manager tasked with keeping everything running smoothly, you’re doing it all: balan…