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Law & Legislation
The Paper Trail
Remember that thick stack of documents you received when you bought your condo
or co-op? If you're like most people, they're probably sitting in a drawer or
in the back of your filing cabinet, communing with the dust bunnies, largely
forgotten.
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A Burning Issue
The late 1990s saw a surge of nationwide smoking restrictions put into effect.
With varying amounts of resistance and controversy, workplaces, shops,
theaters, restaurants and bars in a growing number of states—including New Jersey—all went smoke-free.
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Who Rules the Roost?
Most of the time, condo and HOA residents live in harmony with (or in relative ignorance of) their association’s rules and regulations. It’s not until conflict arises that people begin to examine and familiarize themselves with the laws of the land, so to speak, and sometimes board members and managers are as in-the-dark as unit owners about the rights and responsibilities of residents. Read More
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
Transferring Power from Developer to Board
Transitions are subjective; a prospective homeowner puts a bid on a condo unit or townhouse, navigates the normal channels, and upon receiving approval looks forward to settling into his or her new home. There's a lot to do before that can happen, though: packing, moving, changing addresses, getting used to the new commute, meeting the new neighbors, and finally becoming a link in an association's chain. Read More
A Look Inside New Jersey's Legislature
Throughout its 200-year history, the New Jersey Legislature as an institution has reinvented and adapted itself to provide for the needs and concerns of its citizens and constituents. For all the impact the state legislature has on ordinary citizens, however, few people really understand Trenton's inner workings, or have a good grasp of how proposed bills become the laws that govern their day-to-day lives. Read More
Post-Litigation Solutions to Community Problems
Lawsuits should be the last resort for resolving conflicts within community associations. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and other mediation avenues make it possible for community associations to avoid litigation altogether. Nevertheless, neighbors often do decide to have their dispute resolved by a judge or jury. When lawsuits do happen, strong emotions are usually involved, and although people can usually co-exist within a community after a lawsuit has taken place, lingering hard feelings often remain long after the dispute has been Read More
Governance in the Garden State
Voting is an important right that hopefully all Americans exercise, but once
your elected officials hit office, that doesn’t mean that you should just sit back and wait until the next Election Day to
care Read More
2010 Legislative Update from Trenton
In today’s economic climate, budget woes abound and pretty much dominate the legislative
landscape in New Jersey and elsewhere. With Republican Governor Chris Christie
trying to stem the tide of a monumental $10.7 billion budget deficit,
legislation affecting housing has kind of taken a back seat to the current
fiscal crisis in the Garden State.
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Legislative Happenings in Trenton and Washington
Nearly every day, pieces of legislation are introduced, debated, or voted on—both in Trenton and in Washington—that impact the administration of New Jersey’s HOAs. Keeping track of what passes into law (and then must be complied with) is a big job for property managers and their boards, but it’s important to stay abreast of changes in the law and to be aware of legislation on the horizon or poised to be put into action. Read More
