CAI Urges Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Regulator to Recognize Community Associations
Noting changes in housing development and modern housing preferences, CAI urged the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, to recognize community associations as a distinct housing market. More than 60 million Americans live in 314,000 community associations nationwide, representing almost 20 percent of the American population. Writing on behalf of CAI members, Tom Skiba, CAI’s … Continue reading
Owner Liability for Acts of Tenants – Article by Beth A Grimm
When an owner of a condo or townhome places a tenant, care should be taken to screen carefully. Some owners are desperate to rent their homes and so they do so without regard to careful screening or introducing any situation that might cause a rift between the tenant and their neighbors. Sometimes “bad stuff” just … Continue reading
Why We STILL Need to Recycle Fluorescent Lamps – Article by Dionne Petitpas
So why do I need to recycle my lamps? Do we really have to? Is there an easy way to do it? These are questions many Board members and HOAs ask when thinking about fluorescent lamp recycling, and it’s understandable. A tough economy is forcing many of us to trim budgets, raising the question of … Continue reading
May a Disabled Person Bring a “Service? Pet” Into the Clubhouse? – Article by Beth Grimm
The questions for boards and owners about access to all places in the development with service dogs is almost always a sticky one. If I were asked – do we have to allow (from the board) or may I have permission (from an owner) to take my guide dog (for blind person) anywhere in the development? … Continue reading
New Law—Independent Contractors: Willful Misclassification SB 459 Corbett – Article by By Sandra Gottlieb
We know that there is a tendency to classify some condo and HOA staff as independent contractors rather then employees. Some community association boards want to do this because they think that such a classification will mean that their association will not have to pay for all of fees, charges, taxes, etc. that are normally … Continue reading
TOW FEES – TOWING COMPANIES – AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR SECURITY PATROL SERVICE – ARTICLE BY KATHY MIRAMONTES
Your Courtesy Security Patrol Professional impounds vehicles, in accordance with your Homeowner Associations rules and regulations and in accordance with the CA. Vehicle Code section 22658. Your Courtesy Security Patrol Professional is hired by your HOA to enforce the parking rules. In doing so, unfortunately, some vehicles will be towed. Towing a vehicle is NEVER … Continue reading
What is a Capital Improvement? – Article by Robert M. DeNichilo
Many HOAs have language in their governing documents that act as a spending cap on capital improvement projects without member approval (often at 5% of the annual budget). However, the term “capital improvement” is often not defined. This often leads to confusion as to whether an expense requires member approval. “Capital improvement” is an accounting … Continue reading
Parking Wars! Community Association Parking Regulation on Private and Public Streets – Article by Andrea L. O’Toole, Esq.
It is no secret that parking enforcement is a sensitive issue for homeowner’s associations and their boards; and, few issues can compete for the title of “most aggravating” amongst association members. An association’s most potent remedy – towing – can lead to frustration, anger and lawsuits. Take, for example, last year’s case where a jury … Continue reading
Delegating Fines – Article by Adrian J. Adams of Adams Kessler PLC
QUESTION: At a recent board meeting, a director questioned the authority of the architectural committee to send out violation notices. He felt it was reserved exclusively to the board. Others argued that the board had given the committee that authority and owners could always appeal their fines to the board. Which is it? ANSWER: Door … Continue reading
Neighbor to Neighbor Disputes – Article by David A. Loewenthal, Esq.
The Top Ten List As more people move into common interest developments, neighbor to neighbor disputes will become an increasingly important issue for both Homeowners Associations, its Board of Directors, management companies, lawyers and most importantly, the actual homeowners themselves. Living within a common interest development largely brings significant benefit in value to its residences … Continue reading
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