Association Governance

5 Things Every Board Member Must Know for Long-Term Planning: A Guide to Proactive Decision Making

5 Things Every Board Member Must Know for Long-Term Planning: A Guide to Proactive Decision Making

Long-term planning is one of the primary duties an individual undertakes when seated on the board of directors for a community association. There is a constant balance that must be found between a desire to keep assessment levels steady (and low) and ensuring that the items which the association is responsible for repairing, replacing and maintaining are properly handled in the short and long-term.

Navigating Conflicting Priorities on the Board: Strategies for Resolution

Navigating Conflicting Priorities on the Board: Strategies for Resolution

The successful and effective administration of a community often depends on several players, each bringing a unique, and necessary, factor to the equation. This composition includes the diverse background of the community association board members, and potentially other resources, The successful and effective administration of a community often depends on several players, each bringing a unique, and necessary, factor to the equation. This composition includes the diverse background of the community association board members, and potentially other resources,

Protections Against Housing Discrimination Extended to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Protections Against Housing Discrimination Extended to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The new presidential administration is expanding the government's enforcement of the federal Fair Housing Act ("FHA"). Community associations are subject to the anti-discrimination provisions within the FHA. The FHA expressly prohibits discrimination based upon "sex"...

What Every Board Member Should Consider to Reduce Assessments

What Every Board Member Should Consider to Reduce Assessments

A condominium association’s board of directors has a seemingly endless list of responsibilities, but one of the most important – at least in terms of its impact on the membership – is the adoption of an annual budget. In simple terms, adopting a budget requires the...

New Guidelines from HUD Aid Boards Reviewing Requests for Assistance Animals: What Every Board Should Know

New Guidelines from HUD Aid Boards Reviewing Requests for Assistance Animals: What Every Board Should Know

On January 28, 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new guidelines clarifying how housing providers can comply with the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in reviewing an individual’s request for an assistance animal. These requests often prove...

Davis vs. Echo Valley Condominium Association: Guidance for Associations on Reasonable Accommodations and Nuisance Actions

Davis vs. Echo Valley Condominium Association: Guidance for Associations on Reasonable Accommodations and Nuisance Actions

The decline of smokers and smoking within one’s home in recent decades has led many co-owners in attached units to expect a relatively smoke-free living environment. However, the legalization of marijuana, first for medical purposes and now recreational use, has...