2008 Feb
2008 Feb Vol. 6, No. 2
Focus on...Board/Owner Relations
Announcing the New Jersey Cooperator's Premier Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo
For most people, after a long winter, warm weather cannot come soon enough. But, if you are a trustee in a community association or a property manager, spring means more than barbecues and patio furniture—it means tough decisions and expensive building repairs. Fortunately for New Jersey trustees, there's an event that can make those tough decisions a little easier on you and your wallet. On Wednesday, May 14, The New Jersey Cooperator is holding its premier Annual Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo, an event that offers valuable information and services to the condominium, townhouse and HOA communities. Read More
Rules of the House
Every condo and co-op community has rules and regulations by which residents and their guests must abide. For the most part, these rules are pretty straightforward: no smoking in common areas, no pets, no skateboarding in the courtyard, and so forth. Sometimes, however, the board of a homeowners association will try to implement a rule that is either unenforceable or oversteps its powers—or a board may try to level penalties against rule-breakers that are either unrealistic or legally unsound. Read More
Privilege...or Pain in the Neck?
Thousands upon thousands of people in New Jersey live in condos, HOAs or co-op buildings. Although it naturally varies from one development to another, many, possibly the majority, of association members pay very little if any attention to the actual business of their board or association. Read More
Following Ancient Rules?
When considering rules and regulations for their community, board members must decide what is necessary versus what could be burdensome for their building's residents. Times change, as do community mores, population demographics, and individual wants and needs. Rules and regulations that once made sense and reflected the morals and standards of their day can become antiquated, irrelevant, or just plain silly after many years. Read More
Stop, Drop and Breathe
Whether it's demanding residents or unreasonable board members, maintenance headaches or a barely-under-control work schedule, a property manager is in a unique—and uniquely stressful—position. No one knows this better than the property managers themselves. What might surprise the managers, however, is that of all the items listed above, taking care of their own mental health and learning proper stress-deflation methods ought to be a priority as well. Read More
Addressing Rental Restrictions in Your HOA
Whether a unit is owner-occupied or tenant-occupied, the unit owner remains responsible for the unit and the conduct of its occupants. Although many landlords attempt to foist their responsibilities on the association's board and manager, a firm line must be drawn and the landlord must be compelled to take care of his or her business—the unit and the tenants. Some association governing documents contain little or no rental regulations. Typically, this is because a developer wants nothing that may discourage a potential purchaser from buying. Further, many developers feel that the association should have minimal developer-created restrictions as the community members should be the ones to decide how loosely, or tightly, the association will be regulated. After the developer sells out, the members are left to dictate the community's character rather than the developer. Read More
Dealing with Delinquencies in HOAs
Most professionals in both the property management and bill-collection business agree: serious payment arrears don't happen all that often in HOAs, but when they do, it isn't pretty. Unpaid fees are more than just a hassle; they're a time-drain for managers and their administrative staff, they negatively impact the association's financial profile, and they can cause a lot of bad blood between residents, boards, and management. Read More
Rolling Out the Welcome Wagon
Active, involved and concerned residents are essential to creating a strong community in any homeowners association. Even if you already have an enthusiastically involved resident population, don't overlook the importance of properly welcoming new residents and shareholders into your building or community. Read More
Prevent Problems Before they Start
Maria and her husband Jim own a suburban condo, but are moving out of the area because of Jim's new job. The couple love their home however, and are hoping one day that they will relocate back to the area. Alex loves his two-bedroom urban co-op, but he'll be on the road for his job for the next year and doesn't want to lose his residence either. Read More
