2009 Feb
2009 February Vol. 7, No. 2
Focus on...Board/Owner Relations
ADR 101 for HOAs
Turn on daytime television and you might get a false impression that people like
to go before a judge to work out their differences. There are so many
cookie-cutter court shows like where they make the process look simple and
quick. The truth is, however, that going to court is expensive, often very
time-consuming, and more complicated than it appears on television (although to
be fair, those who air out their differences on the tube usually get a
stipend.) Filing a lawsuit in the context of a condo association is also a
recipe for acrimony between neighbors, board members, and management, and
should really be considered as the last resort in problem solving.
Read More
Creating Beneficial and Legal Community Rules
Every co-op or condo has rules and regulations that have been put in place to
define the board’s authority and limitations of power, as well as outline the rules for the
community, residents or shareholders. And although the governing documents are
intended to work in the best interest of everyone in the building, they
sometimes pose problems. Especially, when rules are amended or created and they
conflict with each other, create problems for residents, or are against the
law.
Read More
Bringing in a New Board
When it comes to running a building or community association, all board members
are not created equal—at least not when it comes to administrative ability and skill. Some bring
experience in construction or backgrounds in law, finance, or other professions
that can be helpful to a board. Others bring little insight or professionalism
to the group, and seem more concerned with personal vendettas, cronyism or
other compromising pursuits. It can be a frustrating fact of democracy that
rule “by the people” means that sometimes, things will be done poorly, or at least not ideally.
Read More
Top Complaints of Board Members and Residents
Even in the most well-run, harmonious building or association, problems
occasionally arise. Sometimes it’s a truculent resident who seems determined to alienate and annoy everybody
within a half-mile radius, sometimes it’s a managing agent who never picks up the phone. Whether board member, manager,
or resident, everyone has their Top Ten list of things that bug them.
Read More
A Look at Enforcing House Rules
It’s a time-worn pattern that plays out in workplaces, classrooms, and residential
buildings everywhere: rules are set, and enforced strictly for awhile. Over time however, enforcement wanes a little—the rules are bent, then broken. Eventually they’re being routinely ignored, and at that point, it may be time to take action to
get things back on track.
Read More
Q&A: Board Makeup Contrary to Bylaws
I reside and own shares in a co-op in Edison, New Jersey, which is experiencing many problems, including serious maintenance issues, due in part to poor service on the behalf of the current management company. Read More
