2008 June
2008 May Vol. 6, No. 6
Focus on...Law & Legislation
Pet Rules and Regulations
For anyone who has ever taken in a stray, won a goldfish at a county fair, or indulged a pleading child with an impossibly cute kitten, the disarming charm a pet holds over its owner is self-evident. A pet becomes more than just a presence about the house, it is a loyal companion, and for many people, an extended member of the family. But in communal living situations, like in condos and HOAs, the issue of pet rules and restrictions is vital. One person’s joy must not become another’s burden. So lay out the ground rules before the situation becomes hairy—or furry, as the case may be. Read More
A Look at What's On Deck in Trenton
Each legislative session in the New Jersey Senate usually includes at least one bill or proposal related to housing, or one that impacts the state’s HOAs. There were several such bills introduced this past year—some of which were allowed to continue their journey toward ratification, and others that just couldn’t catch a break, no matter how long ago they were first suggested to the assembled lawmakers. Read More
What Happens when a Board Abuses its Power?
Condo and HOA residents often complain that their board doesn’t do enough, or that the board members aren’t involved as much as residents would like in the administration and maintenance of their community. While a disinterested or apathetic board is certainly a problem, going to the other extreme—becoming an overbearing, Big Brotherish cabal—can be just as bad, or worse. Read More
Protecting Workers, Preventing Injuries
A building or community’s onsite staff and workers are an integral part of any co-op, condo or HOA. As they go about their daily duties on behalf of your board and residents, your workers must be provided with a safe working environment as well as any necessary equipment they need to keep them safe on the job. Protecting workers before injury occurs is the first step in keeping them safe and avoiding costly workers’ compensation claims. Read More
Are Condo Boards Adopting Stricter Rules?
Every community needs an established set of rules and regulations for the organization to function properly and the residents to live in harmony with one another. HOAs are no exception. The rules and regulations of a condominium community are set forth in the governing documents, mostly in four documents that make up the administrative framework of the condominium association. They are, in order of importance, the master deed, the bylaws, the association’s certificate of incorporation and/or proprietary lease and, finally, the rules and regulations. Read More
The New Jersey Cooperator's Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo
On Wednesday, May 14th, The New Jersey Cooperator and parent company Yale Robbins, Inc. hosted the first-ever annual New Jersey Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Read More
Governor Corzine's 2009 Budget Proposal
Recognizing that New Jersey has been spending its way into deficit for two decades, Governor Jon Corzine’s $33 billion proposed 2009 budget calls for numerous cuts to pare down expenditures. Cutting spending is the first step to getting the state’s fiscal act together, the governor maintains. Most officials agree that cuts alone will not erase the state’s $32 billion debt, and nearly all agree that decreasing spending is the place to start to gain control of New Jersey’s fiscal affairs. State officials believe that the 2010 fiscal year already faces a $1.7 billion shortfall, and they are working to remedy that problem and other impending economic crunches. Read More
Is Your Association Prepared?
On October 24, 2007, Governor Jon Corzine signed the Predatory Towing Prevention Act to prevent tow truck operators from “taking advantage of vulnerable citizens and holding their vehicles hostage for exorbitant fees.” On October 19, 2008, 360 days after its enactment, this law will go into effect and dramatically alter the current towing procedures in New Jersey. Read More
Q&A: Plugging Leaking Pipes
Periodically, the board of directors of our condominium encounters a situation where water leaks intermittently from one apartment to the apartment directly beneath (and/or adjacent units). More often than not, this is due to water dripping onto the bathroom floor or lack of maintenance of caulking around fixtures or issues with the grouting in the bathroom. Although this is an owner-to-owner issue and fairly easily resolved, the owner of the unit causing the leak is demanding that the condominium prove it is not any of its pipes prior to them calling in a plumber and making the necessary repairs to their bathroom and the apartment below. Needless to say, the leak being intermittent and the unit impacted not reporting the next occurrence of seeing water drip only complicates matters, yet the impacted owner wants the problem remedied as soon as possible. I’m confident other condominiums must have encountered this problem and am seeking any guidance or recommendations towards a solution. Read More
Q&A: Bequeathing Co-op Stock
My dad put my brother’s name on his co-op stock last year. But in the place where he lives you can only have two names on the stock certificate. I was wondering if something happens to my dad, can he leave his half of the stock to my sister and myself in his will. Or does this mean that my brother will get the entire shares of stock? Read More
