Most people assume that as soon as they buy their first home, they will finally have the freedom to paint their decks purple, to hang fluorescent window treatments and colorful sconces, or litter their lawns with political or yard sale…
Election season typically starts around Labor Day, when we start to be bombarded with reminders to cast our ballots to choose who we want to be in charge of our city, town, state and country. It ends on Election Day in November, when th…
Being elected to the board of a co-op or a condo comes with a great deal of power, and with that power also comes a great deal of responsibility. Whether they serve a co-op or condo community, trustees and board members, in their posit…
This past year, many condominium associations enjoyed a double dose of good fortune: a milder winter with less snow removal and salting, resulting in a little extra money left in the coffers by spring. The question then becomes: What t…
Fallout and repercussions from the unprecedented bust in the real estate and mortgage industries are still dogging condo associations all over the country. Within community associations, owners continue to default on both fees …
Board members and trustees are volunteers with many responsibilities. They devote time to their association, act as a governing body for the condo and have the powers to control what is permitted to take place and not take place. It’s …
It is one of life’s eternal questions: is it possible to have too much of a good thing? That question certainly can apply to the matter of long-serving board members, those individuals who get elected and re-elected term after term. And…
Susan Jones wants to join the board of trustees. She’s been a unit owner for a few years and really believes that she can make a difference to the association. When it comes to co-op and condo boards, many members join because they have…
It can be easy for seasoned, veteran board members to recall both the excitement and challenge of being elected to the post. For many, the first weeks and months are a daunting experience requiring a learning curve that is not always e…
A recent Massachusetts condo dispute over the proper disposal of pet waste is the latest high-profile example of frivolous condo litigation—a long-running and costly problem for many HOAs. The incident eventually escalated to the point …