Today Governor Murphy signed a law that significantly expands the lien priority over foreclosing lenders previously available only to condominium associations, and, for the first time, grants the same lien priority rights to homeowner associations. The...
Dos Keep your Board educated concerning emerging trends. Board members aren’t tied the latest cases, legislation, and changes that impact their roles as board members. Many allied professionals – attorneys, accountants, engineers, insurance agents – will send emails or links to posts about important new...
Do . . . 5. Create realistic budgets that fund all necessary operating expenses and reserves. Many board members take great pride in never raising assessments. This is a great practice if there is an ability to reduce certain costs – say insurance premiums. But if it...
Q. One resident constantly complains about another resident who is in violation of a HOA rule. As a board we are aware of the violation but allow the situation because of the personal situation involved. We have communicated to the complaining resident we do not...
Q. Can we order our residents to evacuate our association in cases of things like hurricanes? Does a state emergency order play a role? If the state orders a mandatory evacuation can we fine residents who remain? A. Generally, if the State or local authorities have...
On Thursday, July 13, Governor Christie signed legislation to enhance owner participation in community association elections. The CAI Legislative Action Committee, with Community Association Practice Chair, Dave Ramsey, leading the effort, worked side-by-side with Senator Gordon, the primary sponsor of the bill, to ensure that...
Many communities are either not receiving the benefits of the Municipal Services Act or are being substantially shortchanged by the municipality in reimbursements due. New Jersey’s Municipal Services Act (the “Act”), N.J.S.A. 40:67-23.2 – 23.8, requires that every municipality provide “qualified private communities” with certain municipal...
Q. We're not prepared for our annual meeting which is in August. We'd like to reschedule for September. Can we do that or should we just have an unprepared annual meeting in August to just say we had one? A. While we would normally not advise...
Q. We want to clean up the property next door to our association. The association does not own the property. It's less money to just have it cleaned up compared to getting the current owner to clean it up. We would have permission from the...
Hearty congratulations go out to J. David Ramsey, shareholder in Becker & Poliakoff’s community association practice group. David was recently honored with the Distinguished Service Award at the Community Associations Institute’s (CAI) Annual Conference Awards dinner in Las Vegas. The Distinguished Service Award is CAI’s most...