Risk Management

After several years of catastrophic weather, a global pandemic, civil disobedience, and violence, the need for contingency planning in community associations seems obvious — but many associations, and some managers, continue to stick their heads in the sand. “Both the management industry and associations can do so much better, and I learned that first-hand coming…

In November 2022, a lithium-ion battery that was charging caused a fire in a Manhattan high-rise building, injuring nearly 40 people. The fire was one of almost 200 caused by such batteries in New York City last year, resulting in 10 deaths and more than 200 injuries. Along with other fires across the country, it…

A Pennsylvania court shot down an association’s attempt to prohibit lifetime registered sex offenders from living in its community. It made clear that associations can’t impose their own restrictions because the state already regulates where sex offenders can and can’t live (Lake Naomi Club, Inc. v. Rosado). The desire to keep sex offenders out of…

In November 2022, a lithium-ion battery that was charging caused a fire in a Manhattan high-rise building, injuring nearly 40 people. The fire was one of almost 200 caused by such batteries in New York City last year, resulting in 10 deaths and more than 200 injuries. Along with other fires across the country, it…

Managers usually have a lot of experience with owner requests for reasonable accommodations, but you might be less certain about how to proceed when one of your own employees seeks an accommodation. In the first part of this two-part article, we explained the basics of an employer’s duty to provide employees with reasonable accommodations and…

The popularity of home fire pits has surged over the past few years, but they come with risks. Here’s what you need to know to help your clients keep a lid on potential injury and property damage. The spreading of a fire from a pit to other areas isn’t the only concern associations should have…

Managers usually have a lot of experience with owner requests for reasonable accommodations, but you might be less certain about how to proceed when one of your own employees seeks an accommodation. In the first part of this two-part article, we explained the basics of an employer’s duty to provide employees with reasonable accommodations and…

Most managers agree that dealing with rules violations is the worst part of their jobs. It doesn’t help that the same ones seem to occur again and again. Here are some of the violations that won’t seem to go away and how some associations and managers are tackling them. Associations have implemented a variety of…

The popularity of home fire pits has surged over the past few years, but they come with risks. Here’s what you need to know to help your clients keep a lid on potential injury and property damage. The Dangers The spreading of a fire from a pit to other areas isn’t the only concern associations…

Condo associations in Michigan have to be pleased with a new ruling from the state Court of Appeals. The court found that condo owners can’t sue their associations for premises liability (Janini v London Townhouses Condo Ass’n*). If it seems too good to be true, that's because it just might be. An owner left his…