Condos and homeowner associations have made headlines over the years for passing all kinds of overreaching and downright silly rules and regulations—everything from forbidding the flying of the American flag to having prohibitions about han…
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…
Q Our association has difficulty attracting people to run for the board, as I'm sure is a common problem. Would we be able to amend our bylaws to require unit owners to serve at least one term on the board? How can we go about doing tha…
On February 17, 2011, the New Jersey Legislature introduced a new bill to help ensure fairness and accuracy in homeowners’ association elections. New Jersey Assembly Bill (A3802)—or its companion bill in the Senate (S1293)—sponsored in t…
After receiving over 4,200 comments on a proposal that would have eliminated flip taxes and transfer fees in co-ops, condos and HOA communities, the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) has reconsidered its position and will allow …
Tennis courts, event spaces and private swimming pools are practically standard issue when it comes to suburban homeowners associations and condominium communities. While the residents who enjoy these amenities as part of their ownersh…
One of the most important things to understand as a member of a condo or HOA is how responsibility for maintaining and repairing various building systems is divided between individual unit owners and the association at large. …
Here’s the scenario: the developer of your suburban building, who still owns enough units to throw his weight around, hires a property manager who plays fast and loose with the municipal tax codes. So much so in fact, that he winds up i…
It seems that the residents of one large New Jersey HOA don’t want to come out and play. The association’s management cancelled their scheduled Easter egg hunt this past March because only a handful of their 700-plus families wanted to p…
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 wel…