Another source of contention that is almost always avoidable deals with the actions of tenants. As an owner, you are generally responsible for the actions of your tenants within the association. If your tenant violates the association’s governing documents, you will likely receive a warning letter, hearing notice or ultimately you may be served with […]
If you have never heard of or supported the “Buck a Door or More” campaign and you’ve wondered how or why we have crazy new laws cropping up every year, you should read on. How many of us understand the “Buck a Door or More” program other than it being a request for support of […]
As an owner within an association you should read, understand and comply with your governing documents. If you do not understand the documents, ask your neighbors, your board, or your personal attorney. Failure to understand your association’s governing documents (Bylaws, CC&Rs/Declaration, Rules and Regulations, Architectural Guidelines, etc.) is not a defense and should not prevent […]
Who doesn’t enjoy a little levity during the holiday season?! Looks like I wrote this in 2012 about someone around Christmastime in their new HOA. I’m not sure what happened to it in the intervening years and I haven’t edited it at all (and it shows I’m sure!). I recently came across it while looking […]
Aside from complying with the documents, each owner within associations should always strive to be a good neighbor. The “good old times” of borrowing sugar from your next door neighbor need not cease merely because you live in an association. If you already live within an association there is no doubt that you have had […]
At the end of the day, associations are made up of owners. Whether someone serves on the board, an architectural committee, rules and regulations committee or enforcement committee, that person remains an owner of a home within the association and each owner has duties defined by law or the governing documents. What many do not […]
The buck stops with the board of directors. When you strip out all of the politics and the neighbor issues and everything else, in your association you realize that ultimately the buck stops with the board. The board is elected by the members to accomplish the tasks required of the corporation by the governing documents. […]
One of the main complaints of owners in HOAs is lack of communication by the association. For example, owners who are not kept well informed will balk when it becomes necessary to raise additional funds. Even if the board has discussed the need for these funds at its previous ten board meetings, owners who did […]
Another main function of the board is to maintain common area within an association. Common area may include greenbelts, floral landscape, open space areas, recreational facilities and streets. The funds for maintaining these areas are generated through collection of assessments. The decision on how this maintenance is performed is left up to the board. The […]
Another important function of the association’s board of directors is to enforce governing documents. Unfortunately this function is often viewed with disdain by owners against whom enforcement is being sought. Owners on the receiving end of enforcement proceedings often feel that they are being unfairly singled out. When taking action, an association’s board must strive […]