HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - February 13, 2009
Published: Fri, 02/13/09
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To Short Circuit Problems with Construction Projects in Your HOA,
Build Strong Rules
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In the current economy, many people who would like to move up to
a larger house are opting to renovate instead. We recently spoke
with several experts who gave us practical tips for HOA boards
on avoiding headaches from owners' construction projects.
This week's email highlights just one of those tips--about how
policies that specify fines and other remedies will help your
homeowner association rein in out-of-control remodels and other
construction work.
First, Justin D. Park, an attorney at Romero Park & Wiggins P.S.
in Bellevue, Wash. told us, "You'll want to include penalties
for projects that take longer than allowed or for owners who
violate the rules. Otherwise, the only remedy the association
would have would be to run to court and stop the work--and
that's not a great option if somebody happens to be working on
Saturdays."
Michael Hunter, a partner at Horack Talley in Charlotte, N.C.,
offers another example. "You might have the guy who wants to
build his own home, and he bites off more than he can chew," he
explains. "Then the home sits half-finished with materials all
over the place, and it's an eyesore.
"The association has two options. If the governing documents
allow the association the right of entry, the association can
hire someone to clean up the lot and charge the costs back to
the owner. The other option is that under North Carolina law,
the association can hold a hearing and levy a fine for up to $100
a day, and that goes for any violation of the restrictive
covenants, bylaws, or rules and regulations."
For more information on fines for rule violations, see our
previous article: http://www.hoaleader.com/snip/121.htm
For all 6 tips on managing renovation projects, see our just
posted story: http://www.hoaleader.com/snip/120.htm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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HOA Rules on Renovations: How to Make Construction Less Stressful
Without clear rules, a growth in owner renovation projects could
become a serious source of tension at your homeowners association.
Before that happens, do your own renovation of your association'
s rules to be sure they spell out what can and can't be done when
owners work on their property. Here's a guide to rules your
community should enact--and enforce--to keep peace
during renovations.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/229.cfm >
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Who Can and Can't Serve on Your Homeowners Association's Board of
Directors?
Even if you struggle to get enough owners to agree to serve, your
governing documents and your state's law likely require you to be
choosy about whom you allow to sit on your board. Here's a primer
on the best and worst people to serve on your board.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/228.cfm >
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Trouble Getting a Quorum? Try These 5 Techniques
Getting a quorum at HOA meetings is becoming harder every day.
You're not alone if you've been hit with a growth in homeowners
who've lost their home to foreclosure or abandoned their home
because they don't want to pay a mortgage on a house that's worth
much less than they owe. Couple that with run-of-the-mill owner
apathy, and you're facing an uphill battle. Here are five tips
for meeting the quorum challenge.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/225.cfm >
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No Koi Pond for You! HOA Architectural Committees Gone Wild
Architectural committees can be some of the more contentious
aspects of homeowners association governance. We recently spoke
to an expert to get advice about how to run architectural
committees wisely.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/224.cfm >
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HOA Governance: All You Need to Know about Architectural
Committees
What exactly do architectural committees do? Do you even need one?
Here's the skinny on architectural committees.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/220.cfm >
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