Clearly defining nuisance activity in your governing documents can help association boards avoid future headaches

Board of Directors, Communication, Community, Community Manager, Law, Property Managers, Renters, Residents

A nuisance is generally defined as a person, thing or circumstance which causes inconvenience or annoyance. For some people living in shared ownership communities, there is no escaping a nuisance situation that has risen to a level which impacts the enjoyment of their...

The Value of Education in Your Communications

Communication, Community, Residents

For years, I have been writing about the importance of communication as it relates to community association living. I have stressed how important it is that you tell your story well and that you tell it often. Newsletters, letters, websites and any other tools used to...

Condominiums That Fail To Properly Fund Reserves Will Usually Resort to Costly Special Assessments

Budget, Communication, Community, Community Manager, Law, Payments, Property Managers, Renters, Residents

Question: My condominium association has no reserve funds for our roof. Every year at the annual meeting, the board asks the owners to waive the reserve funding and every year the owners vote to waive the reserves. Now we need a new roof for the building and the board...

Will Florida’s new online election law for community associations spell welcome relief or more headaches?

Community, Law, Residents

The Florida Legislature recently approved a new law which will allow community associations to conduct their elections online through the use of electronic voting. While associations in other states have had this ability for some time now, this is a sea change for the...

How to Increase Your HOA’s Revenue with Coupon Books

Community, Payments, Property Managers, Renters, Residents

Successful HOA’s are always looking to find creative and unique ways to be competitive and profitable. Would you like to eliminate an annual expense or turn that expense into a profit? Of course you would! Payment coupon books are an essential and necessary component...

How Often Should the Condo Association Change Auditors and Attorney?

Ask Mr Condo, Board of Directors

C.T. from Hartford County writes: Dear Mister Condo, Thank you for being there to answer questions. What a grand resource!!!! –How often should one change auditors for a large condo with a budget [excluding reserves] of over 3.5 M? –Is there a standard/recommended...

New Owner Trashes Fine in Florida HOA

Community, Residents

Question: I live in a homeowners’ association and the declaration of covenants provides that trash cans may not be put at the curb until 7PM the night before trash pickup. I am new to the community and was not aware of this provision and put my trash cans out at 5PM....

Making a Good First Impression: 10 Ways to Make Move-Ins Easier for Residents

Community, Community Manager, Property Managers, Renters, Residents

Let’s be honest – moving is not fun. But for community managers, move-in day is a perfect opportunity to kick start resident retention efforts by making a good first impression. Here are some easy ways you can make the move-in process less stressful for your residents...

Condo Unit Owner Unhappy with Bulk Cable Provider

Ask Mr Condo, Community, Residents

Re post from Ask Mister Condo: N.H. from outside of Connecticut writes: Dear Mister Condo, A condo owner does not like our cable provider and wants to either stop paying for the cable monthly or have us switch to another (faster internet speed) provider – who does...

Maintenance and Construction. Fact or Benefit?

Community, Community Manager, Property Managers, Residents

Did your community get a new roof this year? Was your parking lot repaved? Was the pool filtration system overhauled? Were your decks replaced? Chances are pretty good that your community either underwent or will soon undergo a major construction or maintenance...