Community Association Governance

Governing Documents, CC&Rs, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations

The Need for HOA Anti-Harassment Policies is Up for Debate

Our sister publication, HOAleader.com, recently reported that one of its readers was informed by a potential directors and officers liability insurer that their association would need to have an anti-harassment policy to obtain coverage. The reader stated, “We didn’t want to be involved in the policing-how-neighbors-treat-each-other business, but we have to, it turns out.” Is…

Do Your Association Clients Need Anti-Harassment Policies?

Our sister publication, HOAleader.com, recently reported that one of its readers was informed by a potential directors and officers liability insurer that their association would need to have an anti-harassment policy to obtain coverage. The reader stated, “We didn’t want to be involved in the policing-how-neighbors-treat-each-other business, but we have to, it turns out.” Is…

Owner Gambles and Loses with Building Unapproved Outdoor Wall

A recent court ruling in California provides some useful guidance on how you and your clients can deal with those owners who just won’t take no for an answer when it comes to architectural guidelines (Orangecrest Country Community Ass’n v. Burns*). “It’s a very empowering decision,” says Sandra Gottlieb, a founding partner of California community…

The Great Pickleball Debate: What You and Your Association Clients Need to Know

As pickleball gains popularity as a pastime across the country, some community associations are mulling converting tennis courts or other amenities to pickleball courts. “I’m just blown away by the drive to have it available. It’s the sport du jour right now,” says Paul Grucza, principal with PBG and Associates, consultants for the association management…

Community Associations Debate Pickleball

As pickleball gains popularity as a pastime across the country, some community associations are mulling converting tennis courts or other amenities to pickleball courts. If your clients are among them, read on to learn what you can expect and how you can help guide them to a satisfactory outcome. The Passion for Pickleball USA Pickleball,…

New FiPHO Score Rates Association Health and Efficiency

The reserve study company Association Reserves Inc. has launched a new score intended to distill the overall health and efficiency of a community association into a single number. The so-called FiPHO — which stands for financial, physical, and operational — health score ranges from 1 to 100. “This new system is a direct result of…

Will a New Rating System Help — or Hurt — Your Clients?

The reserve study company Association Reserves Inc. has launched a new score intended to distill the overall health of a community association into a single number. The so-called FiPHO — which stands for financial, physical, and operational — health score ranges from 1 to 100. “This new system is a direct result of the Surfside…

Deferred Condo Maintenance: New Chicago Program Brings Hope of Financial Assistance

The City of Chicago has established a $15 million financial assistance program to help owner-occupants and associations in one particular neighborhood pay for overdue repairs and maintenance. The South Shore neighborhood of Chicago is one of the city’s most densely populated. Located along Lake Michigan, it’s home to the University of Chicago, the Museum of…

Chicago Launches Condo Preservation Program — Could Other Help Be on the Way?

The City of Chicago has established a $15 million financial assistance program to help owner-occupants and associations in one particular neighborhood pay for overdue repairs and maintenance. The South Shore Condo/Co-op Preservation Fund Pilot is intended to help condo owners at risk of losing their homes to deconversion because of their inability to pay for…

Enforcement Overexuberance: Help Your Association Clients Avoid Blowback

Associations are making headlines across the country — and not in a good way. Stories about the overly aggressive pursuit of fines, fees, and foreclosures are going viral on a regular basis. This enforcement overexuberance has many implications for community associations. In July 2022, the Washington Post reported that a Texas couple put their house…