How much should an HOA have in reserves? This reader wants to know how much an HOA should have in reserves and what happens if it’s too much. Q: Can a homeowners association have too much cash in reserves? If they do, what are the consequences? How Much Should an HOA Have in Reserves? A: [...]
How do I overturn an HOA decision? This reader doesn’t agree with a decision the HOA board made and wants to know if they have any recourse. Q: The association board of my building wants to take down basic pine trees behind my unit. The trees are healthy and provide no danger to the building. [...]
What happens when no one runs for the HOA board? This reader’s association doesn’t vote on board members, they step up whether they’re qualified or not. Q: I wanted to comment on your recent column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune relating to the use of a homeowners association (HOA) pool during COVID-19. Halfway through your [...]
Does an HOA have the power to restrict pool access due to COVID-19? This HOA board is concerned about liability and refuses to open it for residents. Q: How do I get our homeowner’s association board to open up our building’s three pools, all of which have been closed since March due to the pandemic? [...]
What happens when HOA rules aren’t enforced? This reader wants to know what happens if a board approves a request that violates governing documents. Q: I am on the board of directors of my homeowners association (HOA). The dues to our HOA are voluntary. We can't assess liens against any property in our community, we [...]
Coronavirus 2020: Will pools open this summer? Social distancing regulations could make it difficult for pools to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Q: Our 100-unit condominium has a small private locked outdoor pool that usually opens from Memorial Day to Labor Day. With COVID-19, what do we do this year? Should we open the [...]
Interpreting no smoking rules in condos. It’s up to the condo board to interpret and enforce rules and regulations about smoking for the association. Q: I live in a condo with four smokers living below me. They continually blow smoke out the windows and it rises and enters my unit. Our revised Rules and Regs [...]
Cannabis legalization and real estate: what happens to property values? How has recreational cannabis legalization impacted the real estate market? This year, Illinois joined 10 other states and Washington, D.C., in legalizing recreational cannabis use. Nearly $3.2 million of marijuana and cannabis products were sold on January 1st in Illinois, and there are still dispensaries [...]
Can an HOA restrict smoking? This condo owner was told the association doesn’t have the authority to keep owners from smoking in their units. Q: Can a condo prohibit smoking in the building except for owners? At the time the rule was changed on the grounds that those owners cannot have the right to smoke [...]
Can a board of directors change the bylaws? This townhome owner is worried about the board redoing the declaration and bylaws without owner approval. Q: I live in a townhouse community. Our association’s board of directors is redoing our declaration and by-laws without approval of the owners. They say they are just bringing the language [...]
