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…
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…
Too often, association boards—and condo residents—discover serious coverage gaps in their insurance policies in the face of a claim. And often, the gap occurs when neither group wants to pay a high deductible. In recent years,…
Q We have an owner, with an interested buyer who is an inheritor in a trust, and wishes to purchase the unit with only the name of the trust on the deed. Is this sound policy for us to allow the deed to only show a trust’s name? What ki…
Imagine your own family, if you will—each person with his or her unique personality, attitude, experience and background. It’s inevitable that occasionally you might clash with sister Susie, brother Bob or even an uncle or an aunt. In a…
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 …
By and large, a board and management company can expect payment from residents for monthly fees to be received on time and in full. These all-important funds keep day-to-day operations moving forward without delay. There are situations,…
Every property manager and association board has to deal with employees. Whether the staff is a handful of part-time workers or a more extensive workforce, employee management is essential to a happy, productive building. Let’s…
Q I am the president in our condo community, which has a swimming pool. The question has come up as to whether or not a lifeguard is required by law. One of the other board members is insisting that because we are a private community, …
Turn on the evening news, and you’ll get a good idea of the main topic on the minds of community association professionals as calendars flip to a new year: It’s all about the money. Like it or not, financial considerations affe…