eAlerts

Finances are a huge consideration for community association boards and managers. It takes money—and sometimes lots of it—to keep a community or condominium building up to high standards and running smoothly. If you manage an association or serve on your association’s board of directors, you already know that almost everything you do depends to some degree on whether you have a budget that you can work with realistically.

Unfortunately, since the presidential election, there have been several incidences of graffiti in community associations that have been featured on the news. The messages refer to some of the politically charged campaign sentiments. Besides being unsightly, graffiti leads to other problems. It annoys members, diminishes curb appeal, lowers the quality of life at your community, and invites additional crime. But a community that’s clean, well maintained, and free of graffiti sends the message that the association enforces its rules.

The nature of condominium buildings—that is, units stacked on each other—means that occasionally an accident in one condo will affect the adjacent unit. Flooding is a common cause of damage to multiple units, and it can happen from appliances like dishwashers and washing machines that leak. So when an adjacent unit is affected by a leak in the original unit, who is responsible for fixing the damage? Does the association have a duty to get involved?

If you’ve been dealing with a member whose complaints or legal actions seem to be neverending, there could be good news for you: In some case, a settlement with the member precludes a subsequent lawsuit.

Many planned communities have children living in them, which brings into play safety and security issues. You might think that you’re creating rules that ensure children are safe, but if those rules include adult supervision requirements, you might be on the hook for discrimination. So, before making any child-oriented rules, ask the association’s attorney to give you some pointers. A California association learned the hard way that its rule for the community’s playground was discriminatory.

No matter what industry you work in, finding and hiring good employees is difficult. While the economy has recovered, there are still many jobseekers who apply for jobs that they are unqualified for, just because they need employment. And a candidate who seemed like a good choice for your community might end up not having the experience or attitude that’s necessary to help manage an association.

Sometimes, to comply with the law, association boards must be restructured. If you find yourself in the position of having to deliver the news and help with the restructure, you could be faced with accusations by board members that you’re improperly trying to oust them for your own motives. For example, if you’ve had difficulty working with the current board members, they could assume that you’d like to replace them with members who will be more accommodating.

Some of the national conversation and controversy regarding the 2016 presidential election has centered on the integrity of the voting process. Speculation that voting results can be influenced by hacking has been in the media. And whether high-tech interference with the voting process is a reality or an unfounded fear, it’s still worth considering. So is it a good idea to use technology for board elections at your community?

Community Associations Institute (CAI) recommends education and training for the 2.35 million volunteer community association board and committee members nationwide.

There are many rewards for community association managers, who get to see satisfied members enjoying a lifestyle they’ve chosen by buying a home or condominium unit in a planned community. However, there are some risks, like when a member or other party sues an association manager for alleged wrongdoing. The outcome in a recent case where an association manager was accused of involvement in illegal discrimination should give some peace of mind to professional managers though. Here’s why: