The elevator is one of those inventions—along with running hot and cold water and indoor plumbing—that have been around for so long we take them for granted. But elevators obviously weren’t always a part of the architectural landscape. With…
Everyone wants to be comfortable in their home, but as every resident knows, that comfort comes at a price. Boards and managers know this too; with rising energy costs, climate change-related weather fluctuations, and looming fines on the h…
Reducing energy waste and saving money go hand in hand. In addition to helping the planet, using energy more efficiently can save time, lower bills, and improve daily life. In fact, according to a joint report by the American Council for an…
Q. Last year, I decided to run for a seat on the board of my condominium association. However, when annual meeting time rolled around, the board did not even place my name on the ballot—even though I was the only person who had announced …
Q. When we bought our condo, it was a “no pets” property, but over the years, a number of “service animals” have taken up residence. There are a couple of owners who allow their animals to use common areas of the property as bathrooms, wi…
Residential co-op, condo, and HOA board members volunteer to help manage day-to-day life in their building or community, allocating their time to actively participate in decisions that affect the place they call home. They oversee crucial a…
The stability and value of a shared interest community hinges on a lot of things; financial solvency, good governance, and proactive physical maintenance, to name a few. But another key component, and one that may be less obvious to the eye…
As the climate crisis has worsened, governments at the federal, state, and local level have made attempts to legislate solutions. While necessary, that three-pronged approach can often make compliance a complicated process for multifamily b…
It’s a constant refrain in multifamily governance and management: open, transparent communication between boards, managers, and residents is vital to running a building or HOA effectively and equitably. Unresponsive, disconnected leadership…
Q. A majority of unit owners want our entire corrupt condo board replaced, and five of us are prepared to run and serve on the new board. Problem: The current board refuses to schedule an election, which our management company is responsi…