Making the call on an owner’s request for a reasonable accommodation for an assistance dog under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) has grown increasingly difficult for many community association boards of directors, especially in the absence of up-to-date rules or guidelines from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). But now HUD has…

Requests for assistance animals continue to dog many associations. How can they balance their obligations to owners with disabilities with the interests of their neighbors? The process is riddled with potential pitfalls. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released new guidance that can help your clients understand the kind of inquiries…

Not every state permits e-voting in community associations, and, even in those that do, many associations were slow to embrace it. But some communities are taking a second look, recognizing the numerous advantages. Your clients that are considering adopting the practice also need to consider the potential downsides, as well as what’s involved in implementing…

Many associations struggle to achieve the necessary quorums for electing board members, updating governing documents, and other critical actions — particularly in communities where absentee owners are common. That’s just one reason that more associations are considering a shift to electronic voting (where permitted by state law). Here’s what you need to know if your…

We’re still far off from the flying cars promised by The Jetsons, but electric cars are a reality and, slowly but surely, gaining popularity. That’s particularly true among the next big generation of community association owners — Millennials. “According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, 54 percent of all new car sales will be electric by…

While electric vehicles aren’t seeing a surge in popularity in every part of the country, many community associations are fielding more requests for charging stations than ever. They probably can expect that number to rise over time. “According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, 54 percent of all new car sales will be electric by 2040,”…

The cororonavirus crisis has shaken the foundations of the economy, and savvy community association boards are already thinking about the implications for their financial footing going forward. In particular, many boards can expect to deal with owners struggling to pay their assessments. While compassion certainly is warranted, boards may find their hands more tied than…

As the federal and state governments took unprecedented measures this spring to confront the coronavirus pandemic, the economy largely collapsed. The dramatic surge in job losses that resulted has led many community association boards of directors to rightly worry about the impact on their financial footing. The fallout is likely to continue for months, if…

Meetings, whether of the board or the association membership, are a hallmark of community associations. And, like so many other aspects of association operations, they’re subject to a lot of rules — rules that have many communities scrambling amidst the sweeping coronavirus crisis. Social distancing protocols and prohibitions against gatherings make traditional meetings nearly impossible…

Community associations of all kinds, regardless where they’re located, are subject to stringent requirements regarding board of directors and annual membership meetings. Strict compliance can pose a challenge for some associations in the best of times, let alone during a public health emergency. Social distancing protocols and prohibitions against gatherings make traditional meetings nearly impossible…