Risk Management

A new California law taking effect Jan. 1, 2020, tackles restrictions on the display of religious items on owners’ entry doors and frames — and it won’t be the first such law in the United States. Other states, including Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Texas, and Rhode Island have similar statutes. These laws might seen unnecessary in…

This week, we highlight three parking issues that cause problems in many community associations — the growing demand for disabled parking, legal restrictions on enforcement, and a new twist on commercial vehicles. We discuss the headaches they create for managers and boards and propose some solutions. By the year 2030, all Baby Boomers will be…

Parking headaches rank high on the list of many community association managers’ ongoing irksome issues. You can reduce the headaches, though, by staying on top of emerging issues and planning how you’ll address them before they become a major problem. 1. Increased Demand for Disabled Parking By the year 2030, all Baby Boomers will be…

This week, we dig into the significant risks smaller community associations shoulder when they leave the handling of financial matters to only one or two insiders and suggest some steps they can take to control those risks. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for under-resourced or overtrusting associations to find themselves the victims of fraud. In April…

In April 2019, an Iowa man pleaded guilty to a scheme to defraud his homeowners association out of almost $125,000, which he used in part to pay the mortgage on his unit. The scheme ran for nearly five years. The man, who served as treasurer, funneled the funds from an association account to another account…

Attorneys who work in the fair housing arena report that claims of familial discrimination against community associations and their managers are on the upswing. On Aug. 29, 2019, for example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it was charging the owners and manager of a condominium complex with violating the Fair…

Little has a more direct impact on an association’s bottom line than the owner’s payment of assessments. Yet, when owners fall behind on their dues, many boards of directors fail to tackle it head on. Their inconsistent responses — or lack of response altogether — can have significant financial implications. You can help them avoid…

Too many community association boards of directors avoid the question of how to deal with delinquent assessments until it falls squarely in their lap. When that happens, some quickly pull the trigger and start pursuing foreclosure, while others drag their feet or attempt various ad hoc measures. You can help them avoid these potentially risky…

A lot of people have a love-hate relationship with Airbnb and other short-term rental arrangements — and the same is true for community associations. Some want to bar the rentals entirely, while others want to allow them but struggle with regulation. This week’s article outlines the different approaches popping up across the country. As in…

The short-term rental phenomenon spurred by Airbnb, VRBO, and the like has turned out to be more than a fad. Rather, it’s an ongoing problem for some community associations, particularly those in popular areas for tourists. Read on to learn how some boards of directors and managers are addressing it. A Sampling of Strategies As…