One of our experts, Kelly Richardson, calls Freddie Mac’s list of condos unavailable for its federal backing a farcical double-secret list, like the double-secret probation so hilarious in the movie “Animal House.” But this secret blackballing is no joke for communities ensnared in it. Here’s what you need to know about the Fannie Mae and…

A reader has asked for an explanation of the difference between public and private streets and why it matters in terms of who’s responsible for what and what the condo/HOA can control on the roads. Happy to help. Here’s a rundown. Local Roads, Local Rules Jeff Vollmer, a partner at Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer…

The Corporate Transparency Act is likely going to catch many condo and HOA boards off guard. That’s according to Elizabeth White, counsel at the law firm of Sands Anderson PC in Williamsburg, Va., where she leads the firm’s national community association industry team. White and her colleague, Danielle Wang, of counsel at the firm, are…

Did you have bank collapses on your 2023 bingo card? We’re guessing that’s a no. Given that two banks cratered in March, it’s fair to ask whether your condo/HOA’s funds are safe. Here’s what our experts are telling their clients. Yes, Boards Are Concerned David Firmin, managing partner at Altitude Community Law PC in Lakewood,…

A reader asks: “Who’s responsible for maintaining HOA records—the property management company or board members? What if there’s a change in the property management company and the previous property management company didn’t transfer many records? And what if the previous property management company had the same problem with records not being transferred? I understand that…

A reader asks: “As the treasurer of our HOA, I’ve discovered that numerous residents have credits on the accounts. In some cases, they’ve overpaid dues. Should this not have been caught by our property management team? I can go back several years and see residents paying a monthly autodraft when our dues are due only…

A Florida HOA recently achieved what you probably know is a herculean task. It got approval from enough of its 821 owners to amend its governing documents to restrict rentals. Here, Jim Hammond, the president of Plantation Palms Homeowners Association in Land O’ Lakes, reveals how his community succeeded and offers advice for fellow board…

Insurers have begun to decline to insure or decline to renew coverage for California community associations, citing huge losses from disasters. And California isn’t the only state seeing condo/HOA insurers get skittish and pricey. Here’s what you need to know. The Crisis in The Golden State It’s fire insurance that’s causing problems in California, reports…

A reader asks: “We have a resident who’s a full-grown adult and lives with his elderly parents, who are the owners. He has started to harass and threaten several other residents, calls out from the parking lot, or verbally assaults people in the parking lot. He’s drunk most of the time and has been arrested…

A Florida condo board seems to be saying “wink, wink, nudge, nudge” as they’ve included in their reserve study a life span of 50 years for their roof. Perhaps they truly believe their roof is made of materials that will last that long. Or what seems possible, and perhaps even more likely, is that they’re…