Can Senior Housing Communities Allow Underage Residents?

Feb 18, 2016 | Community Manager, Property Managers, Q&A, Residents

Question: I live in a 55 and over community and the board of directors for our association is considering a policy that would allow under-aged occupants to live in a community under certain circumstances. Would such a policy threaten the community status as a 55 and...

Can My Condo Association Prevent Me From Renting My Unit?

Jan 10, 2016 | Community, Q&A, Renters, Residents

Question: Before I purchased my condominium unit, my association amended its governing documents to state “an owner may lease or rent his apartment only once during the period of his ownership”. I now work several hours away, which has created a burden, and I need to...

Does Each Unit Get One Vote in a Florida HOA?

Jan 5, 2016 | Board of Directors, Communication, Community, Community Manager, Law, Property Managers, Renters, Residents

Question: There are 10 homes in our community. The declaration of covenants provides that it can be amended by a majority of the voting interests. It also provides that homes 1 through 9 each get one vote and home 10 gets 10 votes. An amendment is approved 10 to 9,...

What You Need to Know About Mandatory Mediation Between HOAs and their Homeowners

Dec 28, 2015 | Community, Law, Residents

Before You Sue Your HOA—or Your HOA Sues You! As you may already know, before certain suits may be filed by an HOA against one of its residents, by a resident against his or her HOA, or between two residents in an HOA, the parties must first take part in a pre-suit...

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

Dec 9, 2015 | 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

Dec 3, 2015 | 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...