2007 Sept
2007 Sept Vol. 5, No. 9
Focus on...Energy Conservation
Understanding U.S. Green Building Standards
It seems that suddenly, everyone's talking about green buildings and green construction. But it's really not a new concept. Back in the 1970s and '80s, after the energy crisis made us all aware of the high cost of electricity, energy-efficient building technology, such as compact fluorescent lights, energy-efficient lighting ballasts and air conditioners that cycled on and off, came into being. Still, the original focus was on office buildings and institutions such as universities and hospitals, not homes. Read More
What Happens to Material When You Recycle
Every year thousands of tons of paper, metal and glass are recycled in New Jersey—and not just on behalf of state residents. The detritus gets broken down and turned into hundreds of "post-consumer" products, then re-sold and re-used, and the process begins all over again. The demand for recycled materials is growing in leaps and bounds, and the economics are becoming as compelling as the environmental concerns. From the recycling bin to the store shelf, these materials are forming a closed loop that takes some of the strain off of our energy production and natural resource harvest. Read More
Winterizing Your HOA Grounds
Some people say winters in the northeast are not as harsh as they used to be, due to global warming. But experience tells us that winters in New Jersey can still be dangerous, with freezing temperatures and precipitation. Such cold weather can give a homeowner association's property a beating. Landscaping can be devastated by harsh winter conditions, as can kids' playground structures and other amenities that are in the care of an association's board. Read More
Associations Can "Reasonably" Restrict Rights
Are homeowner association's governmental or quasi-governmental entities? Until last year, most attorneys who practice community association law would have said the answer was clearly, and appropriately, no. But a New Jersey appeals court called that long-standing assumption into question when it decided that a community association, in fact, plays the role of a municipal government, and its rules and regulations must, therefore, pass constitutional muster. Read More
Tips for Board Members and Residents
These days, it seems like nearly everyone is making a move toward being more environmentally friendly. So-called "green" architecture, products and tips are everywhere. While many of these moves toward green living require the help of a professional, there are steps board members, resident owners and shareholders can take on themselves to save energy and lower costs. Read More
The Way for HOAs to Go Green
There is little doubt that what started as a green building trend, with all of its energy efficiency measures and renewable energy options, has evolved into a rational way to add value to your property. In fact a recent Roper survey showed that "two-thirds of Americans are willing to pay a premium for homes that have solar power systems installed when told that solar homes have a proven higher resale value." Read More
Q&A: Missing Meetings
What happens if board members consistently miss meetings, or don’t attend, messing up the voting process for a board? What recourse do we have? Read More
Q&A: Unresponsive Board
I live in a condo and have issues with the board. I have had an attorney send them a letter and they have NOT responded. According to the bylaws they are required to have regular monthly meetings. They don’t. Can they do this? I don’t want to go to court since it would be so costly to me. What can I do? Read More
Q&A: Reserve Fund Start-Up
How do we start a reserve fund? Where does the money come from? What can we or can’t we use the money for? Must we get approval from shareholders/owners in order to spend the reserve fund? Read More
Q&A: Playroom Proposal
Our building has two rooms immediately off the ground-floor lobby that are also opposite three occupied apartments. One room is used for building meetings while the other currently holds some storage. Several unit owners wish to make the room(s) available for their small children to play in. (This was tried several years ago but abandoned for unknown reasons. However, the noise of the children was disruptive to the occupants of the nearby apartments.) The board has turned down the request from this new set of parents but the parents indicate that they plan to pursue it. What local and state laws prevail in such a plan to open a building playroom for toddlers? What rights do the nearby unit owners have in maintaining the quiet enjoyment of their premises? Read More
