Archives: Model Tools

Explain Responsibilities Procedures in Bedbug Policy

Here's a Model Policy that your association's board can adapt and distribute to members. It explains who is responsible for the costs of exterminating a bedbug infestation that occurs in the community, and sets a procedure for notifying management of infestations and their eradication. It also details how management will respond when notified. Show this…

Inform Members on Bedbug Prevention and Control

Here’s a Model Notice you can distribute to members periodically and whenever a bedbug infestation is reported in the community. The notice describes how to recognize bedbugs and what to do to control and eradicate an infestation and prevent future infestations.

Spell Out Appropriate Employee Response When Faced with Injuries

The following memo emphasizes the point that association employees should refer the victim of an accident, crime, or other incident to you and tells them what not to say to the victim in that event. Distribute the memo to your employees, and periodically remind them about it when you review community procedures with them.

Shield Association from Protected View Lawsuit

Adapt the five key details in this model view protection bylaw for your own. It can help make your terms enforceable when and if there is a dispute. Show this bylaw to your attorney before using it.

Take Action Two Ways When Member Shirks Maintenance Obligations

Failing to maintain properties according to community standards can be a simple case of negligence or something more serious. So it’s wise to start notifying the member with a polite letter reminding the member of his maintenance obligations and giving him a deadline by which to remedy the situation. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have…

Adopt Written Policy on Board Member Conflicts of Interest

Here’s a Model Policy that your association can follow to ensure proper disclosure and voting procedures when a board member has a conflict of interest. Review the policy with your attorney and decide which procedural approaches work best for your association.

Warn Member About Posting Damaging Comments Online

When you discover that a member has posted comments of a negative nature about your community or board members online, ask the association’s attorney to draft a warning letter that can be sent from the board president to that member. Here is an example of a warning letter that you can adapt.

Carefully Craft Mediation Provision

This model clause, drafted by New Jersey community association attorney Ronald L. Perl, can be used to require mediation before resorting to arbitration or litigation to solve an association-related conflict with a construction contractor. Show this clause to your attorney before using it in your contracts.

Allow Limited Sign Posting

Here’s a Model Policy that restricts sign posting to two types of signs and sets out rules for posting material on the community’s bulletin board. Show this policy to your attorney before adapting it for use in your community.

Ask the Right Questions to Gauge Members’ Use of Community Center

Here’s a model survey excerpted and adapted from a comprehensive survey developed for use at management expert Tammy McAdory’s community. It asks specific questions that the board deemed necessary to know how to improve the services and facilities at the community center.