Archives: Model Tools

You can send a letter like ours periodically to remind members that they can prevent mold problems using simple maintenance tasks. Mark your calendar so that you remember to send it once, or even twice, a year. If your community is in a part of the country that experiences a rainy season, or a wet…

Here’s a model clause, created with the help of Maryland attorney Michael Nagle, that you can use to amend your governing documents if your community does not have a “no-fault” provision. It requires an owner of a condo unit from which a problem originates to pay for all damages to his unit, other units, and…

Emails are the bulk of electronically stored information in a management office. Our Model Policy establishes email retention rules that you can adapt and use to help your staff understand the legal guidelines associated with email use. Have your employees sign and acknowledge that they understand the policy. Also, consult your attorney about adopting this…

Here’s a Model Declaration Clause that you can include in your declaration to protect your community from declining property values, personal injury liability, and other problems caused by unauthorized modifications made by members to their units. Show this clause to your attorney before adapting it for your own use.

Using the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques of mediation and arbitration can help your association avoid costly litigation and the unpleasantness of going to court when there are association-related conflicts with a construction contractor. Ask your association’s attorney about adapting this language to draft a provision for contracts that can be used to require mediation…

The following Model Amendment—which can amend either your association’s bylaws or declaration—sets a policy enabling the board to compel members to take proper care of “high-risk components” in their units. Check with your attorney before using this amendment in your community, to make sure that you’re complying with state law and your governing documents in…

Recycling Program: Green Valley Community Association has an active recycling program that all residents are strongly encouraged to participate in. Recycling protects the environment, helps keep our community clean and attractive, and reduces our disposal costs.

A Fair Housing Code of Conduct is an important element of your legal compliance efforts. Customize this template as necessary and have an attorney review it before putting it into effect.

Here are checklists that your maintenance staff can use to inspect and record the condition of your community’s air conditioning system before summer temperatures peak or any time of year for hot-weather located associations.

Here’s a get-tough letter that you can adapt and send to a member who continues to use the roof of the condo building despite your prior warning not to do so. The letter reminds the member of your conversation with him in which you warned him not to use the roof; notes that you’ve learned…