Every municipality has its own schedule and criteria for exterior building inspections and upkeep - but in between official visits, boards, managers, and association staff can and should keep an eye out for some of the telltale signs of str…
Each year, boards are tasked with figuring out the costs associated with all aspects of their community’s operations, including any capital repairs or improvements they plan to undertake in the coming fiscal year, and then making sure the r…
By its very definition, insurance coverage is planned protection against both the expected and the unexpected. Life insurance clearly provides financial security in the event of death, which of course is an eventual certainty. But at the sa…
Whether you reside in, manage, or serve on the board of a co-op, condo, or HOA, examining your building’s energy efficiency from top to bottom, inside and out, will have enormous implications for individual and communal costs, energy conser…
Having an elevator to spare you from trudging up a dozen flights of steps is a valuable amenity - but what happens if you've only got one, and it needs a major repair, or even needs to be replaced entirely? How will upper-floor residents - …
Most board members aren't legal experts - they're volunteers whose concern for their community's well being inspires them to serve - so it's important to be aware of some common legal snares that can lead to both expensive litigation and ba…
It’s a question we’re asked all the time: "Can we use reserves to cover an operating fund shortfall?" Under normal circumstances, our standard response would be an emphatic “No!” -- because reserves are for major repair and replacement proj…
Each year, condo, co-op, and HOA boards are tasked with figuring out the costs associated with all aspects of their community’s operations, including any capital repairs or improvements they plan to undertake in the coming fiscal year, and …
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)’s Division of Real Estate recently released a set of frequently-asked questions and guidelines for condominium and common interest community associations as the state …
The Community Associations Institute (CAI) has compiled a digest of government action resources (including clickable links) to help multifamily communities navigate the process of reopening their amenities and common areas now that the fede…