Our firm is starting to hear from some of our clients that their homeowners are struggling to make their HOA assessment payments each month because of the impact that COVID-19 has had on many families and their jobs in America. We want to make sure our clients are keeping an eye on the association’s financial status each month, to make [...]
The COVID-19 Pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a wide ranging impact on the global and domestic economy, which will inevitably trickle down to Arizona residents and Arizona community associations. The extent of the impact will vary from community to community; however, all boards should be thinking about the potential ramifications on the community’s budget and finances. While [...]
Now more than ever, due to economic uncertainties from the COVID-19 pandemic, associations may be looking for way to save money or to receive some assistance. There are a number of cities in Arizona that offer grant programs to help community associations fund different projects within their communities. Below is a list of links to various grant programs offered by [...]
The Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) prohibits a community association from discriminating against a person in providing services or facilities in connection with a sale or rental because of disability. Prohibited discrimination includes (1) a refusal to make reasonable accommodations; and (2) a refusal to permit reasonable modifications. Once a request for a reasonable accommodation/modification is submitted (either verbally or in [...]
Many Arizona residents own firearms and are permitted to carry them in public places with the proper permits. But do those permits apply to common areas in a homeowners association? Does the Board of Directors of a homeowners association have the power to restrict or prohibit firearms in common areas? The Board does have the authority to prohibit firearms in [...]
The Community Association Institute’s (CAI) College of Community Association Lawyers recently released a Civility Pledge to help homeowners associations adopt a model to facilitate better conversations and more effective communications among board members and homeowners. There are 4 pillars in the Civility Pledge, which all aim to increase transparency and civil conservation, while prohibiting personal attacks and hostility. In summary [...]
In what will assuredly be a contentious election year, it is important for community associations to be knowledgeable and cognizant of relevant statutes regarding political signage/activities. ARS Sections 33-1261 (Condominiums) / 33-1808 (Planned Communities) severely limit a community association’s power to restrict/prohibit political activities, including: • Associations shall not prohibit the indoor or outdoor display of a political sign by [...]
On Monday, January 13th, the Arizona Legislature’s 2020 session begins. One topic that’s guaranteed to be on the legislature’s agenda is short-term rentals. After signing a May 2019 law that regulated “party house” rentals through sites such as Airbnb and VRBO, Governor Ducey signaled in August that the law would likely be revisited in the next legislative session. State lawmakers [...]
Many homeowners, in both single family and condominium communities, are investing in their own security and surveillance cameras. Technology has made it extremely easy to access security footage on an individual’s cell phone. Further, a number of companies have released reasonably priced devices for individual usage. For example, a “Ring” doorbell allows the homeowner to capture video on his/her phone [...]
The relationship between a community association board and the association’s management company (and community manager) is absolutely vital to the community’s success. How can your community association best ensure that this important relationship remains positive? COMMUNICATION! Effective communication is a cornerstone of any important relationship, including the relationship between the board and the management company. Below are a few tips [...]
