A federal court of appeals is allowing a Black couple to sue their HOA neighbors for racial discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). While it blocked the couple’s claims against the association, the opinion suggests that decision was due primarily to a technicality. (Watters v. Homeowners Ass’n at the Preserve*). In other words, it’s…

The August 2022 murder of an Atlanta association manager has drawn renewed attention to the physical risks managers face on the job in today’s world and an increasing need to address HOA manager safety. Word of the Atlanta slaying spread quickly among those in the industry. Amid the expressions of sympathy and concern, though, was…

The August 2022 murder of an Atlanta association manager has drawn renewed attention to the physical risks managers face on the job in today’s world. “I think this is an industry problem across the board,” says Katie Anderson, CEO of Aperion Management Group LLC, which manages around 65 associations in central Oregon. “It’s been perpetuated…

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…

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…

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…

Health insurance coverage is a critical part of employee recruitment and retention. But it can also seem cost-prohibitive for some community association management firms. “We’re still in the ‘employee’ market, where candidates have the upper hand,” says Jamie Dokovna, a shareholder in the Florida law firm Becker & Poliakoff who practices employment law and works…

Health insurance coverage is a critical part of employee recruitment and retention, but it can seem cost-prohibitive for some community association management firms. The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit might make it far more affordable than you realize, though. The credit could be worth as much as 50 percent of the insurance premiums you…

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…

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,…