Q I recently bought a new unit in an HOA. I set up a fence in my backyard that management and the board says is too high, but the original developer’s original fences are as tall as the ones I installed. Most of the units still have this …
A lot of us feel like everyday life keeps getting more and more complicated, and finances are no exception. In New England, there are strict limitations to what boards can do with their association’s funds, but that doesn’t mean there aren…
Having a disinterested, apathetic board is a problem in some buildings, though a board that oversteps the boundaries of its power or invades the privacy of residents also can cause hassles. But an informed board should be less apt to go be…
The adage is, “The customer is always right.” But when it comes to lawn care for condominium properties, the first question is, “What does the customer want?” According to Matt Lindner, the service line director for SavaLawn in Bedford Hil…
Condos and HOA communities can be a great setting to own a home, enjoy privacy and the comforts of your own personal space. But there will always be tension between the desire to make your unit your own, and adhering to the rules of the co…
The expansive main lodge at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in North Central Massachusetts is surrounded with walkways, decks and terraces built in a variety of materials. Outside the bar area, wooden decks bridge a pond, connecting concrete s…
Many residents of New England believe that when it comes to climate, New England has it all, including wet and dry and hot and cold air streams, producing a diverse pattern of climate variations from the mountains to the shorelines of the …
Is condominium living everything you hoped it would be? Do your board meetings run smoothly, without disruption and dissent? Are your bylaws and rules being followed, or are residents ignoring them? Condominiums have become increasin…
I am the vice president of a small condo community and we are trying to find out if non-homeowners can serve on the board. Several of the homeowners would like renters to have a proxy vote. However, being a proxy and voting for an absent ow…
Q In this day and age, must notices of rule violations be sent by certified mail? Can they be sent via priority/tracking mail? Can they be sent by email? Must complaints by others to a rules committee always be placed on standardized form…