Communications
Community Association Communications, including newsletters, email, notices, meetings, websites
Failing To Satisfy Notice Requirements Can Have Big Consequences
A Maryland condo association recently was reminded of the importance of strictly adhering to the applicable notice requirements for meetings. The 815-unit condo building had a 50-year-old fire alarm that had to be updated to comply with the county code. After a series of consultations and site visits by engineers, the board was set to…
Marketing Strategies From Successful Managers
It’s the year 2021, when your kids’ babysitters are on LinkedIn, and the teenager who cuts your lawn has a branding plan. But many community association management firms are still in denial about the need to market their businesses. “We have a bad habit in this industry of thinking we don’t have to market ourselves…
4 Lessons from Remote Property Management
The COVID-19 pandemic has worn everyone down — but the people who’ve been leading during a year of remote community association management say there are lessons all managers can take from this experience: 1. Work-from-Home Is Here to Stay “Being into this now just under a year, remote working has actually worked out well for…
How Successful Managers Are Marketing Themselves Today
It’s the year 2021, when your kids’ babysitters are on LinkedIn, and the teenager who cuts your lawn has a branding plan. But many community association management firms are still in denial about the need to market their businesses. “We have a bad habit in this industry of thinking we don’t have to market ourselves…
Notice Matters: Court Invalidates Board’s Approval of $1.2 Million Fire Alarm Contract
A Maryland condo association recently was reminded of the importance of strictly adhering to the applicable notice requirements for meetings. A court ruled that, because insufficient notice of a board meeting was provided to owners, the board's action at the meeting was invalid — even though neither the state condo act nor the association bylaws…
What Happens When an Owner Accuses a Board Member or Manager of Defamation?
We recently wrote about community association board members’ attempts to rein in “bad owners” by filing defamation lawsuits against them. But what about when the tables turn, and an owner pursues defamation allegations against board members or managers? The Michigan Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court’s dismissal of just such an action, finding…
Qualified Privilege Protects Board Member, Manager from Defamation Claims
We recently wrote about community association board members’ attempts to rein in “bad owners” by filing defamation lawsuits against them. But what about when the tables turn, and an owner pursues defamation allegations against board members or managers? The Michigan Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court’s dismissal of just such an action, finding…
Court Says Phone Meetings Are OK During Pandemic
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many community associations have turned to virtual or telephonic meetings, but some have run into members who object. A recent ruling by a New York state court provides some reassurance that your clients have some wiggle room when it comes to strict adherence to annual meeting requirements amidst…
Do Your Clients’ Deed Covenants Contain Racist Language?
The Fair Housing Act may prohibit racial discrimination, but a surprising number of community associations’ deed covenants still contain racial restrictions — and some of your clients could be among them. With civil rights a mainstay in the media since the death of George Floyd in May 2020, associations with such restrictions should take action…
Court Upholds Annual Meeting by Phone During Pandemic
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many community associations have turned to virtual or telephonic meetings, but some have run into members who object. A recent ruling by a New York state court provides some reassurance that your clients have some wiggle room when it comes to strict adherence to annual meeting requirements amidst…