Year: 2016

The holidays are now in the rear view mirror.  It doesn’t have to be doom and gloom however in your association.  Resolve this year to start off on the right foot, get rid of the clutter, get a grip on your finances, and make sure you don’t get locked into bad deals for yet another…

Jan, Darlys and I write a lot.  We write 50 columns a year for the past several years.  No doubt, that’s a lot of talk. While we have said a lot throughout this year, and voiced our opinions and provided our comments, we want to conclude the year on a different note.  That is to…

This is a very interesting time of year in the condo and HOA world.  Of course everyone’s thoughts turn to the holidays.  We start thinking about Christmas, Chanukah, New Years and all of the days off we get to spend with friends and family.  The problem is that this is typically the busiest time of…

I don’t know why some people feel a need to bring their concealed weapon to the poker table or mah-jong game in the clubhouse, but you would be surprised how many times I have been asked whether or not the Board has the right to make a rule that would simply prohibit guns in the…

Four years ago, I wrote a column about how difficult it is to be a community association manager.  The amount of hats that a community association manager often has to wear is amazing. Simultaneously, he or she needs to serve as the number cruncher, interior designer, police man, collection agency, master of ceremonies, complaint department,…

It’s our nation’s birthday today.  Unfortunately, it seems as if the political climate of our country makes it seem that we are as divided today as we were since the 1960s, and it’s not one big happy birthday party. The tragedy in our own state has left scars that won’t heal any time soon.  I…

Over the years, our firm and I’m sure many other law firms that represent community associations have been fired or simply not hired for telling it like it is and giving answers or instructions to Boards that they simply may not want to hear.  Even with all of the education now available, it still amazes…

All of you who live in a condominium are now certainly aware that by December 31st, if your building is 75 feet or higher, you will be required to install a fire sprinkler system in your condominium, unless the unit owners vote to opt out.  Many of you have already done so.   A few…

Some justice was done in an Orange County courtroom last week.  The firm’s client was sued by her association because she started a website that included the name of the association in the website address.  The website was also critical of the association and the Board.  Other members of the community had the opportunity to…

As much as I would like to move on from the politics of the election, it’s difficult to do when faced with a recent decision of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  It’s yet another example of political correctness gone crazy and the government interfering with your rights to decide who and who…