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 […]

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 […]

Reserve funds and studies have become a hot topic among condo and HOA communities. Many states have or are considering enforcing laws that regulate reserves. Motivated by the Surfside condo collapse, lawmakers don’t ever want to see another community in the same position as the Miami condominium ended up in. However, depending on the rules, […]

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 […]

Landlord-tenant relationships are generally cordial, and some are even friendly. But, a big rent hike can create instant friction between an owner and renter. Some cities enforce rental caps so that tenants aren’t suddenly hit with a 10% increase, but even then, the laws don’t cover all buildings or units. So, just how much can […]

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, […]

Is it okay to have adult-only swim hours? Are children under the age of 12 allowed to use a gym? If you live in a community association, you’ve probably noticed that rules have changed over the last few years. That’s because communities don’t want to be found guilty of breaking laws that aim to prevent […]

Florida HOAs have mixed emotions about House Bill 1203. Several new laws came into effect on July 1, 2024, and as a result, some HOA members living in the Sunshine State feel a little more relaxed. The objective of HB 1203 is to promote transparency and consistency across Florida homeowners associations. Some communities have very […]

The rules were not made to be broken in homeowner associations. They were made to help maintain property values, aesthetics, and harmony within the community.  Rules must also be enforced for them to matter. But anyone who has been tasked with the responsibility of enforcing rules in an HOA understands how difficult that can be.  […]

Modesty has never been one of New York City’s defining traits. Its bold and outgoing nature is what attracts tourists and residents alike. The iconic buildings, towering over streets and parks, are nothing short of remarkable. But, the city is asking many of these buildings, some nearly 100 years old, to change, and they haven’t […]

What if your condominium’s insurance premium increased from $400,000 to $3.3 million in one year? That’s what happened to the Peninsula at Hawaii Kai. The Hawaii community, consisting of 630 single and multifamily apartment homes and condominiums, was shocked, to say the least.     Table of contents     Sadly, this type of increase is not […]