Topics

Creating positive curb appeal is essential to maintain or even increase property values in your community. Positive curb appeal can create happier members who get more profit for their investment, as well as an improved profile for the building or association as a whole. Due to the importance of first impressions, you may think that an expansive, rolling green lawn contributes to your community's overall attractiveness, but maintaining it probably puts a huge dent in your operating budget.

Ally Financial, one of the nation's largest lenders, recently announced that it's withdrawing all of its foreclosures in Maryland that were approved by employee Jeffrey Stephan, the “robo-signer” who admitted he signed off on thousands of files every month with little or no review.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to “public places” and not to private communities. However, if your community allows public use of its swimming pool or other facilities, you may be subject to the ADA and its most recent revisions.

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice issued final regulations revising Title II and III of the ADA, including the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The revised regulations will take effect March 15, 2011, and compliance must be achieved by March 15, 2012.

At the beginning of every winter season, many associations begin to worry about the possibility of being hit with slip-and-fall lawsuits filed by members or guests. Although it's inevitable that accidents will occur, the association can try to make the community as safe as possible for members and consequently avoid liability for any slip-and-fall accidents.

A playground is a great amenity that may increase property values in your community. Members with small children appreciate the role an outdoor playground plays in children's growth. Playgrounds promote an active, healthy lifestyle and provide a complex social network for kids to learn relationship-building skills. However, a playground can also be a hazard, especially if children are unsupervised or if the equipment is not properly used or maintained. If injuries occur, your association could end up getting sued.

On July 6, the final amendments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule went into effect. These amendments added new requirements to the relatively new rules that went into effect in April of this year and were discussed in detail in the May 2010 issue of the Insider.

With summer here, it's time to make sure that your community swimming pools are ready for action by checking their safety, insurance coverage, and legal compliance. Many associations do not conduct legal checkups, which is risky considering the number of lawsuits and regulations that exist.

The following is a list of things your association should check to ensure that the community avoids unnecessary risks and weathers any legal storm should an unfortunate accident occur at the pool this summer.

Summer is approaching and your association may be planning some sort of community-building events, such as pool parties or cookouts with plenty of food and drink. Often at these events, an association will serve alcohol. The association knows that more members will attend an event that provides alcoholic beverages than they would for a “dry” event.

On April 22, 2010, a new federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead-based paint rule called “The Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule” took effect. The new rule requires managers and associations to follow lead safe work practices when disturbing a painted surface in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. Disturbances can occur when painted surfaces are sanded, demolished, renovated, or repaired.