Alberta has tabled legislation that aims to improve governance in condominium communities. Bill 30, the Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, would impact three different Acts: Developers and contractors would also benefit from this Act. Amendments would allow them to get paid in full sooner, and harmonize prompt payment rules and processes for public and private […]

Governed communities are getting harder to avoid. Homeowners associations account for more than 30% of the U.S. housing stock, reports the Foundation for Community Association Research, and that number will continue to rise as the Foundation predicts developers will form more than 3,000 HOAs in 2024. Considering more Americans will be living in governed communities, […]

While we still don’t have flying cars, we do have vehicles that can operate without gasoline. Tesla EVs look and sound futuristic, and even if they can’t fly, they are working on self-driving capabilities.   It’s not just Tesla that is delivering cool resource-conscious vehicles to the public. Big car companies like Ford and Volkswagen […]

If you’ve ever served on a board for a condo or HOA community, you can easily appreciate how much work is involved. Board members are elected volunteers, meaning they do not get compensated for any of their work. If they did get paid, the Foundation for Community Association Research estimates that their hourly wage would […]

Condo living has multiple benefits. The amenities make up for smaller living spaces, and residents appreciate that they never have to pick up a snow shovel or clean gutters. However, densely populated condo and strata buildings do have some drawbacks. For example, when one member ignores rules or bylaws, it can impact neighbours above, beside […]

White fluffy snow can bring a touch of magic to frigid winter nights. But, it can also create chaos and danger for people who need to be outside during or after a big snowfall. HOA communities must be prudent about snow and ice management in order to minimize slips and falls, as well as liability […]

Even though owners don’t always agree with them, condo and HOA rules and policies do more than inconvenience members. In fact, good rules actually help members as a whole. Community rules help fill in any gaps that the CC&Rs and bylaws don’t address. They consider day-to-day issues, such as how to properly dispose of trash […]

Electronic voting is simple, convenient and cost effective. HOAs relied on electronic meetings and electronic voting to continue operations during the pandemic, but some associations have chosen to stick with those options, even though they don’t have to.    Table of contents      Why e-voting works better for HOAs Voting is a critical component of […]

Homeowners associations (HOAs) establish concrete rules and expectations for owners who live in the community. While owners don’t always agree with all of the rules, most can appreciate that they help to maintain property values (which means homes can be sold for a higher price). When creating or amending bylaws and rules, HOAs rightfully turn […]

Emotional support animals, sometimes referred to as assistance animals, have been a continuous source of speculation and confusion for many condo and HOA communities. You’ve probably heard stories where individuals bring birds, rats, and even alligators into places under the claim that they are emotional support animals. Could a gator really help someone with anxiety issues? Truthfully, […]

Besides affordability, most people elect to buy a condo unit over a house because of the convenience. Amenities are a big part of condo appeal. Owners appreciate having 24/7 access to a semi-private gym, and they are comforted by the fact that all of their online orders will be kept safe in a parcel locker. And […]

 Managing a community is hard work. It takes countless hours, dozens of volunteers, and thousands of cups of coffee (or tea). HOAs often hire management companies to help them with daily operations. Professional management companies have the skills and experience required to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs. They also give board members more time to focus on […]

Has it been a challenging year for your condominium community? If you answered yes, you are not alone. The cost of everything, including insurance, utilities and staff, is up, and condo owners are feeling the pressure. The bad news is that costs aren’t decreasing any time soon. The good news is that more stability is […]

HOA property managers are talented professionals who possess a variety of skills. From responding to owner emails, to assessing expenses, they do a lot for their clients.   While carrying out their duties, property managers act as agents of the HOA board. They take on day-to-day activities so that the board has more time to […]

HOA management companies are hired by busy HOA boards who need help maintaining property values and daily operations. These professional companies can be very valuable to HOA communities because they help improve efficiencies, increase owner satisfaction, and reduce costs. However, when it comes to payments, there are no standard management fees, and prices can vary […]