Here’s a question I’m often asked... An owner in our association made one of the following changes to their property without architectural approval... Here are some of the most common unapproved modifications we hear about on a regular basis: painting their home, adding a new garage door, changing out windows, building bonus rooms, guest homes, walls or fences, changing their [...]
As of last week, according to ADHS, over 40% of Arizona’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. As you may have heard, the CDC has released a new set of mask guidelines for vaccinated people. If you are an Arizonan that is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the CDC’s new guidelines suggest that you can take your [...]
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 [...]
We aren’t the only ones that have seen this in the news week after week! Theft of association funds has unfortunately become common in community associations throughout the nation. No board of directors ever wants to find out that money that is needed to run the association and maintain the common area is now gone due to embezzlement. As an [...]
We’ve had a number of large monsoons tear through the Valley this summer. While we love some rain, unfortunately, many of the monsoons cause extensive damages with their rain, wind and lightening. In the days following a monsoon, I usually receive many calls and questions about who is responsible for the damages caused by the monsoon to different areas throughout [...]
The Arizona Court of Appeals issued an opinion earlier this year regarding a dispute between a nonprofit golf and recreation club (“Club”) and two equity membership members in the club (“Members”). Although this case isn’t specifically about a homeowners association or a condominium, it does provide valuable insight as to how the Arizona Court of Appeals views an association’s governing [...]
Does your Association board and/or owners know the process under Arizona law for removal of a board member/director at large from office? In Arizona, the Arizona Condominium Act, ARS Section 33-1243(H), and the Arizona Planned Communities Act, ARS Section 33-1813(A), provide for very specific protocols for the removal of Board Members in Condominiums and Planned Communities, respectively. Please also note [...]
What makes one community association successful while another struggles? After 20 years of experience working with community associations, I have come to the conclusion that one of the reasons is leadership. This article will define leadership, talk about the importance of leadership, characteristics of a good community association leader and how boards can lead at a higher level. What is [...]
Have you ever heard the phrase “penny wise but pound foolish”? Over the years, I have seen some expensive mistakes made by association boards. One common mistake is trying to save a little money by hiring an unlicensed contractor. I’ve often found that, in the end, the unlicensed contractor ends up costing a lot more money for the association. [...]
The terms “reasonable” and “unreasonable” are frequently used in the Community Association legal industry. Both the Arizona Planned Communities Act and Arizona Condominium Act use the terms “reasonable” and “unreasonable” throughout various sections of the legislation. For instance, ARS 33-1242 grants the association the authority “after notice and an opportunity to be heard,” to “impose reasonable monetary penalties on unit [...]
