HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - December 26, 2011
Published: Thu, 12/22/11
=================================================================
Keys at HOAs? They're So Early 2000s!
=================================================================
In this week's tip, we sing the praises of
keyless entry systems.
"I think having access cards is a good move," says Nancy
Polomis, a partner at Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC in Edina,
Minn., who advises associations. "Many associations use
keyless access. It's easier to copy a key than it is to
copy an access card, so allowing unauthorized access is
less of a concern with access cards. It's true that you can
give someone a key or an access card, but an HOA has far
more control over access cards than keys. They eliminate
the need to rekey if there's a security breach. I also
think people may protect access cards better than keys.
Sometimes people are a little more free with keys because
you can always get a new one."
Bill Worrall, vice president of The Continental Group,
which is based in Hollywood, Fla., and manages 1,300
condominium and homeowner associations totaling 310,000
residential units, is also a fan. "I'm a proponent of the
access control systems because I don't see a lot of cons,"
he says. "The systems are very reliable, so you don't see
a whole lot of, or excessive, maintenance costs subsequent
to the initial installation. And they give the management
team, in conjunction with the board, the ability to
provide enhanced security."
Add James R. McCormick Jr. to the list of advocates. "It's
tight security," says the partner at Peters & Freedman LLP
in Encinitas, Calif., who represents associations. "I like
keyless access not solely because of security but because
of its enforcement capabilities. If owners have violated
your governing documents and you suspend their privileges,
how do you enforce that? Do you take their key back? You
can't do that. But you can make it so their key fob doesn't
open the door to the common areas. I think they're
fantastic ways to enforce the association's governing
documents."
However, swipe cards and fobs aren't flawless. Find out
why, and get tips for bidding out a system in your HOA, in
our new article, http://www.hoaleader.com/members/661.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
=================================================================
Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
================================================================
Hiring HOA Vendors: Is a Delinquent Owner's Employer Off Limits?
This week's tip will help you determine whether you should raise
red flags about hiring a company at which a delinquent owner
works.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/660.cfm >
================================================================
Should Your HOA Board Refuse to Hire a Delinquent Owner's
Employer? Discussion Forum Follow-Up
An HOAleader.com reader asks: "One of our residents moved out of
his house, but it's still in his name, and he owes $2,000 in back
dues plus attorneys' fees. This person submitted a bid to do the
snow removal. Some board members decided that since he is only
the vice president of the snow removal company, they hired the
company to perform our snow removal. Three people voted against
the hiring, and four people voted to hire the company. I say this
is 100 percent wrong, but I need something to support my feelings
about this hiring."
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/659.cfm >
================================================================
HOAs: HUD's Keeping an Eye on You
In this week's tip, we give you fair warning that the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development is actively pursuing
HOAs for fair housing violations.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/658.cfm >
================================================================
Is HUD Stepping Up Fair Housing Enforcement Against HOAs?
On Oct. 18, 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) announced it was charging a Philadelphia
condominium association with violating the Fair Housing Act for
refusing to revise its "no pets" policy as a reasonable
accommodation for condominium residents with disabilities who
required assistance animals.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/657.cfm >
================================================================
What Happens When a HOA Owner Dies?
On a very sad note, home owner associations sometimes have to
deal with the aftermath of the death of an owner. If an owner
dies, leaving his unit empty until its fate is resolved through
the legal process, what happens if the former owner's successors
or executor fail to pay HOA dues? How can you handle that problem
with respect? Here are some answers.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/656.cfm >
=================================================================
Get your own copy!
Subscribe to the HOAleader.com Tip of the Week at:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/department49.cfm
=================================================================
Please feel free to forward the *entire text* of this email to
others.
Copyright 2011, Plain-English Media, LLC
(866) 641-4548
http://www.hoaleader.com