Departments

‘One Contract’ Theory Didn’t Relieve Association’s Obligation to Repay Loan

Facts: Over the course of several years, a construction company performed construction work for an association. When the association encountered financial trouble, it requested a loan from the construction company. The association also needed to replace a deteriorating retaining wall and asked the construction company to bid on the project. The parties agreed to and executed: (1) a promissory note memorializing the loan; and (2) a contract for the construction of the wall.

Engage Members in Mold Prevention in Community

Mold in any property can present multiple serious health issues. It has been a controversial issue at residential properties in particular, because it can cause serious health problems and be expensive to remediate. Mold prevention techniques and effective remediation of existing mold should be high on your list of maintenance and safety concerns. But perhaps the biggest concern for the community association is the issue of responsibility for mold-related problems.

Use Well-Planned Annual Member Meeting to Showcase Skills

An efficient annual member meeting not only encourages future member participation, but also exhibits your and the elected directors’ expertise and leadership skills. The success of this meeting goes a long way toward building trust in board members to protect and faithfully serve the community’s interests. Given the importance of this yearly event, you should already have—or now create—a checklist of meeting preparation steps. If no checklist exists, create one with a list of tasks to get you to the finish line.

HOA Managers Seeing Success Across U.S.

Association life continues to thrive across the country, as seen in the 2018 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR). This is great news for community association managers for the seventh time in 13 years. Once again, Americans living in homeowners associations (HOAs) and condominiums say they’re satisfied in their communities. According to, the majority of survey respondents say their association’s rules protect and enhance their property values.

Take Steps to Protect Association from Mold Claims, Lawsuits

Mold in any property can present multiple serious health issues. It has been a controversial issue at residential properties in particular, because it can cause serious health problems and be expensive to remediate. Mold prevention techniques and effective remediation of existing mold should be high on your list of maintenance and safety concerns. But perhaps the biggest concern for the community association is the issue of responsibility for mold-related problems.

Homeowners Required to Pay Association to Maintain Shared Easement Road

Facts: A homeowners association was formed in 2013 to govern several homes, which then became a planned community. The association began to charge a yearly fee of $300 to its members, which was used to maintain and repair the only common areas in the association—a road and a gate installed on the roadway. The homeowners were made aware of the $300 per year assessment fee via a hand-delivered letter and a mailed letter. None of the homeowners responded with an objection immediately.

FCAR Report: HOA Satisfaction Remains High Across Country

There’s good news for community association managers across the country: For the seventh time in 13 years, Americans living in homeowners associations (HOAs) and condominiums say they’re satisfied in their communities. According to the 2018 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR), the majority of survey respondents say their association’s rules protect and enhance their property values.

Miami HOA Member Uses Art to Draw Attention to Community Danger

Aside from paint colors, maintenance, or hotly contested board elections, planned communities in various parts of Florida have an additional concern compared to those that are land-locked: rising sea levels.

Association Cuts Down Two Trees to Remove Provocative Banner

A Florida homeowners association cut down two palm trees to remove a pro-Donald Trump campaign sign after a homeowner refused to take it down. After the sign was removed and the trees were cut down, the homeowner responded by hanging additional signs and Trump flags on his home.

Election Season Reveals New Lawn Sign Law

A law allowing political signs in planned communities has come as a surprise to some Columbia, Mo., homeowners living in neighborhoods run by associations. The law prohibits bans on political yard signs, which is in sharp contrast to widely accepted sign bans.

Now, members of associations are calling community managers to inform them of the legislation so they can post signs.