While a lot of the day-to-day business of running a condo building or HOA happens in the management office or on-site at the level of maintenance and staff management, meetings—board-only and resident alike—are the forum where important…
A key to success and functionality in any relationship is clear, consistent communication. In a residential community, part of achieving functionality is managing the information in the governing documents and records which detail the …
Q I am the president of a condominium association in Trenton. One of the board members suggested we put a term limit on board members. Currently we do not have such a provision in our bylaws. How would be go about making an amendment? …
The 2013 legislative session in Trenton is underway. As always, each session in the Senate and the Assembly includes bills that relate to housing, including some that impact the state’s condo developments and HOAs as well as a relativel…
While some condos and co-ops are lucky enough to have lawyers serve as members of their board, the majority of boards don’t have an in-house legal expert. They often reach out to their attorney to answer questions, vet documents and sen…
Q Can a condo owner be elected president if they have a lien on their condo due to not paying some of their maintenance fees? Is this a conflict of interest? —Conflicted in Camden A “Each condominium association's by…
Serving on a condo board has its challenges—not least of which is dealing with potentially volatile legal or security situations. Such scenarios might involve anything from residents with orders of protection or criminal histories to bu…
We’re only human—no matter how harmonious and tight-knit a community may be, differences and disputes are bound to happen from time to time. That’s why laws and rules are in place. But, the federalist system of government we use in this…
As housing markets in many parts of the country—including New Jersey—have foundered, many developers have opted to convert portions of communities originally intended to be condominiums into rental properties. When a developmen…
Working in groups can be a challenge. Working in groups when people’s homes—and possibly their life savings—are involved can be a far greater challenge. It’s one faced every day by those brave souls who volunteer to serve on their co-op …