Communications

Community Association Communications, including newsletters, email, notices, meetings, websites

HOA Manager Safety: A Renewed Spotlight in the Wake of Recent Tragedy

The August 2022 murder of an Atlanta association manager has drawn renewed attention to the physical risks managers face on the job in today’s world and an increasing need to address HOA manager safety. Word of the Atlanta slaying spread quickly among those in the industry. Amid the expressions of sympathy and concern, though, was…

Manager’s Killing Heightens Safety Concerns

The August 2022 murder of an Atlanta association manager has drawn renewed attention to the physical risks managers face on the job in today’s world. “I think this is an industry problem across the board,” says Katie Anderson, CEO of Aperion Management Group LLC, which manages around 65 associations in central Oregon. “It’s been perpetuated…

Enforcement Overexuberance: Help Your Association Clients Avoid Blowback

Associations are making headlines across the country — and not in a good way. Stories about the overly aggressive pursuit of fines, fees, and foreclosures are going viral on a regular basis. This enforcement overexuberance has many implications for community associations. In July 2022, the Washington Post reported that a Texas couple put their house…

The Risks of Enforcement Overexuberance at Your Community Association

Associations are making headlines across the country — and not in a good way. Stories about the overly aggressive pursuit of fines, fees, and foreclosures are going viral on a regular basis. “You want responsible patrolling to maintain property values,” says Alan Garfinkel, founding partner of Garfinkel Law, a full-service community association law firm in…

New State Law Could Make it More Difficult for HOAs to Collect Unpaid Fines and Fees

Community associations may find their hands tied when pursuing unpaid fines and fees due to a controversial new state law. Under the new law, which was enacted earlier this year, Colorado now prohibits community associations from seeking foreclosures against owners based solely on unpaid fines. Even if you’re not in Colorado, take note because our…

New Law Restricts Foreclosure Remedy

Colorado HOAs are prohibited from seeking foreclosures against owners based solely on unpaid fines under a new law enacted earlier this year. The law includes additional provisions that will tie associations’ hands in some significant ways when pursuing fines and fees. The Impetus According to The Denver Post, the law is intended in part to…

Record Requests Can Be a Pain, But Compliance Is Often Required

Owner record requests can prove a hassle for managers and their clients, but courts clearly favor greater access to less — let alone the denial of access. An association in Michigan learned this lesson the hard way when confronted with requests that even the state Supreme Court described as “longwinded” and “often difficult to follow.”…

Record Inspection Request Requires Rapid Response — Even if Request Rambles

Owner record requests can prove a hassle for managers and their clients, but courts clearly favor greater access to less — let alone the denial of access. An association in Michigan learned this lesson the hard way when confronted with requests that even the state Supreme Court described as “longwinded” and “often difficult to follow”…

Government as Partner Rather Than Roadblock? It’s Possible.

From relocating an invasive flock of peacocks to reducing fire fuel and dealing with the effects of coastal erosion, community associations increasingly are working with government officials to resolve problems. “There are a lot of opportunities for managers and boards, before they start going the road on an issue, to step back and ask agencies…

Partner vs. Impediment: 4 Tips for Working with Government Officials

From relocating an invasive flock of peacocks to reducing fire fuel and dealing with the effects of coastal erosion, community associations increasingly are working with government officials to resolve problems. “There are a lot of opportunities for managers and boards, before they start going the road on an issue, to step back and ask agencies…