Humans have been grouping ourselves into communities for almost as long as we’ve been walking upright, from loosely organized kinship groups to planned subdivisions containing hundreds, even thousands of families. Condominium and homeowners…
Ideally, the board members of condominiums, co-ops, and HOAs are conscientious, level-headed folks committed to doing the job they were elected to do, treating everyone fairly and equitably, and not using their position to push a personal a…
The topic of insurance can provoke fear in the most steadfast of board members. It’s both terrifying in what its purpose implies, and yet at the same time mind-numbingly boring. It’s also one of the most important components in protecting o…
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…
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…
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…
Insurance is a topic that seems to evoke one of two feelings: boredom in the best of times, and dread in the worst. It’s both complicated and expensive, frustrating yet necessary, mundane yet stressful. It’s also one of the most important d…
As noted elsewhere in this edition of New England Condominium, all types of properties, including condo, HOA and co-op communities, are experiencing steep increases in their insurance premiums while coverage is being reduced. Some are seein…