Month: May 2019

Time to Review the ARC Rules?

This week we take a look at a recent court case that provides a warning of how architectural review slipups might land an association in court. The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) has a lot of power in a community association, which can lead to disputes with owners. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to…

New Case Teaches Important Architectural Review Lessons

The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) has a lot of power in a community association, which can lead to disputes with owners. One such recent case provides a warning of how architectural review slipups might land an association in court. Fortunately, you can take some steps to reduce the odds of this. Good Fences Make Mad…

Are You Ready for New Overtime Rules?

This week we fill you in the U.S. Department of Labor’s latest proposed rules for overtime pay. Proposed rules introduced during Obama administration created quite an uproar among employers — not surprisingly, considered that they were expected to make more than 4 million salaried workers newly eligible for overtime. A federal district court judge halted…

New Overtime Rules on the Horizon?

The rules for overtime pay are again under the microscope. Proposed rules introduced during Obama administration created quite an uproar among employers — not surprisingly, considered that they were expected to make more than 4 million salaried workers newly eligible for overtime. A federal district court judge halted those rules days before they were due…

Make Laundry More Bearable

Many owners dread doing their laundry in the shared laundry room, but community association managers have several alternatives to help ease the drudgery. This week, we share some steps worth considering. First, technology can go a long way toward improving the laundry experience. Laundry services providers increasingly offer proprietary apps to their customers. For example,…

5 Ways to Freshen Up the Laundry Room Experience

Many owners dread doing their laundry in the shared laundry room, but community association managers have several alternatives to help ease the drudgery. Here are some steps worth considering. 1. Embrace technology. Technology has spread to the world of laundry, from computerized washers and dryers to Internet-connected machines and notification systems. Laundry services providers increasingly…

Light Your Way to Cost Savings

This week, we dig into how your clients might reap substantial savings by upgrading to LED, or light-emitting diode, lighting. You've been in the dark if you don't know how much longer LED lights last than traditional bulbs. “We have some lights that will last over 100,000 hours, and most of our lights are rated…

Let There Be Light: Outdoor LEDs Can Help the Bottom Line

Everyone recognizes the critical roles outdoor lighting plays for a community, from improving security and visibility to enabling nighttime activities and enhancing “curb appeal.” So the related expense generally is viewed as a necessary evil. But your clients might find they could reap substantial savings by upgrading to LED, or light-emitting diode, lighting. LED Advantages…

Want to Know What Your Condo or HOA Members Think about the Association?

This week, we take a look at the results of survey of almost 650 HOA members, drilling down into the details to learn how much they think their HOAs help, or hinder, them. One of the keys to effective community association management is meeting and beating member expectations — so it sure would help to…