HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - December 12, 2025
Published: Fri, 12/12/25
Updated: Thu, 12/18/25
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HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - December 12, 2025
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In this week's tip, we help out an HOA board member who asked for tips on how to handle elevator replacement—what liabilities should the board watch out for, and are there ways the board can smartly plan for the downtime? Also, what do our experts suggest boards watch out for in new elevator contracts?
One important key to managing elevator repairs smartly is to ensure—before you commit to working with any elevator service provider—that your contract avoids unnecessary complications or challenges.
It's so important to choose the right elevator company, reports Julie McGhee Howard, co-founder and managing partner of NowackHoward LLC in Atlanta, who at any given time represents hundreds of condos and HOAs throughout Georgia.
“I did have a really bad elevator contract blow up last year,” she recalls. “The company wasn't responsive and could never get the right parts. So on the front end—and of course this is with any contract—it's about vetting the provider, getting recommendations, ensuring they have adequate insurance, and making sure you have an easy way out of the contract if they're not being responsive.
“Also, what are their duties under the contract, and what does the contract say about how quickly they'll respond to necessary repairs?” asks Howard. “When you make sure you have the right company in place, they'll know how to help navigate repair issues and minimize the impact on your residents.”
Noelle Hicks, CCAL, a Houston-based shareholder at Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey PC, who represents condos and HOAs throughout Texas and has been named to the National Black Lawyers Top 100, would review an elevator contact with a careful eye on the contract's payment terms and project management and indemnification provisions.
“I'd also want to know what proper cause for termination would be,” she adds. “I haven't seen any elevator contract provisions I'd necessarily take out. But I'll generally add more language like mutual indemnification or mutual termination so the association has a way to get out of the contract if they need to.”
If you do need repairs, it's about making sure they're as efficient as possible to lessen the stress on owners. Read our new article, How to Make Condo Elevator Replacement Less Stressful and Expensive, to find out ways to do that, plus how to respond when owners inevitably demand you do something to make sure their life doesn't get interrupted: https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5220.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Finding a Reasonable Accommodation When It Comes to Parking in Your Condo or HOA
Parking is one of the three hot-button Ps in the community association world—parking, pets, and people—meaning one of the most contentious issues. Another challenging issue? When owners ask for a disability or other accommodation...
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Oof! HOA Board Learns of a Huge Loan Against Reserves 40 Years Ago (Yes, 40!)
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Colorado Court Lays Down the Law for Condo Owner’s Emotional Support Animal—and Orders Owner to Undergo Medical Exam
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Click here to read the full article:
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HOA Board Discovers 40-Year-Old Loan Against Reserves: Does It Need to Be Paid Back?
An HOAleader.com reader asks: “Our HOA is in California. The board just noticed a large amount, $260,000, that appears to have been borrowed from the reserve account. This HOA has existed for 40-plus years, and no one who served on a prior board and is still alive was ever aware of it...
Click here to read the full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/HOA-Board-Discovers-40-Year-Old-Loan-Against-Reserves-Does-It-Need-Be-Paid-Back.cfm
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When Your Condo/HOA Board Is Being Monday-Morning Quarterbacked By An Owner (Who May or May not Be Qualified to Be Your Ref) [HOAleader.com Video]
In this week’s tip, we discuss owners who, perhaps trying to help, set forth all the many reasons you, as a condo or HOA board, are missing the mark...
Click here to read the full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/When-Your-Condo-HOA-Board-Being-Monday-Morning-Quarterbacked-By-Owner-HOAleader-Video.cfm
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