Neighbor disputes are a common occurrence within HOAs as in all other communities. Fortunately, the majority of these disputes never rise to a level of seriousness that leads to physical confrontation or other malicious acts that exacerbate the dispute. Most HOA boards of directors take a hands-off approach to neighbor conflicts. This is typically due…
In a HOA, unless the same homebuilder constructed all the homes, the main water shutoff could be in various locations throughout the home. Even if the same builder constructed all the homes, water shutoff locations might still vary from home to home. The HOA membership being aware of shutoff valves and their importance is in…
HOA boards are routinely faced with roofing issues. While the above illustration is of a single-family dwelling, all roofing configurations have more similarities than differences. Similarities are found with the problems that afflict roof configuration as well. William Douglas represents homeowner associations with almost every type of roofing configuration found in North America. The…
Members failing to pick up after their dogs is a common rules and regulations violation within homeowner associations. For many HOAs, this is the most common violation. What some members may not realize is the health concerns that are a consequence of this failing. HOA members may not realize that failing to pick up…
One of the most common maintenance issues that HOA and COA boards encounter is fascia boards and soffit boards that have slowly rotted over time. This maintenance issue, with many HOA and COA, will have long term budget implications. As the diagram illustrates, the fascia is the board where the gutter is attached. An easy…
As homeowner association annual budget items go, those related to the association’s swimming pool, when totaled, are typically the largest expense category. Individual budget categories, such as pool chemicals, pool furniture and lifeguards can add up substantially. While the pool management contractor expense is often thought off, obscure other expenditures may not be so evident.…
Board members resign from HOA boards of directors for a myriad of reasons. The predominant reason usually revolves around the member’s other pressing personal commitments. Another common cause is the board member selling their home and moving out of the HOA. Whatever the reason, the first step is to review the HOA’s bylaws for…
We learned, one hopes and expects, from the 2008 Subprime Mortgage Crisis and the resulting deep recession known as the Great Recession. The ramifications of this crisis were so dramatic to the overall economy that one would believe this would resonate for generations to come. This crisis impacted all homeowner associations. If the overall home…
Water rates between 2010 and 2015 increased by 41% according to circleofblue.org. Reasons for this increase vary from the replacement costs of the aging water infrastructure to that raising water rates is less controversial than raising property taxes. Another reason for increases is reportedly the reduction in water consumption by the government-mandated water reduction regulations.…
Reserves for homeowner associations are funds set aside for future capital improvements or repairs. The purpose of reserve funding is to ensure that the future expenses are paid by those who enjoyed the benefit of the capital item. A reserve study is a formal review of the capital items and related infrastructure of the HOA.…