HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - August 23, 2013
Published: Fri, 08/23/13
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Picture It: Owner Wants to Install Cameras on HOA Property
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In this week's tip, we provide a snapshot on best
practices when it comes to owners installing
cameras on HOA property and in their own unit.
In the blogosphere, an HOA owner contends her
neighbor has put security cameras in places that
intrude on her privacy, like above his unit's
door in the common area and on his window pointing
at her unit. The HOA asked the owner to remove the
camera in the common area, and he did. No word on
any HOA action in the second incident.
The issue of owners' installing security cameras
has actually arisen at an association client of
Matthew A. Drewes, a partner at Thomsen &Nybeck PA
in Edina, Minn., who represents associations.
Though the association opted not to have Drewes do
in-depth legal research, he offered some general
legal advice.
"I told them the association has the right to
regulate cameras anywhere in public view," says
Drewes. "That goes back to the aesthetic and
architectural guidelines and the association's right
to approve any change that would be visible from the
exterior or the common area. It's probably a
requirement in all associations that owners submit a
request for approval to mount anything they're
interested in installing."
Agreed, says Brian F. Lozell, CPM, director of
condominium management at Seneca Real Estate Advisors,
a Chicago startup company that manages less than
100 units so far; at Lozell's prior firm, he managed
as many as 1,000 units. "The board can pass a rule
that no-fill in the blank-equipment can be installed
on the HOA's property, whether it's a common element
or limited common element," he says. "I've seen three-
and four-story townhomes in Chicago where owners have
installed security cameras at their front door, and
they can see the image on their computer or phone.
They don't want to have to schlep downstairs to answer
the door without knowing who's there. The board can
enact or pass rules that limit the placement of that
equipment. If the board does that, the person has to
install it inside the unit or on something that's
freestanding. But I don't see where it would be
possible to eliminate it completely."
What about cameras not in common areas but peeking
into others' private spaces?That's trickier. Zoom in
for details in our new article,
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/887.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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7 Ways to Shrink Your HOA Legal Fees
In this week's tip, we share smart tactics to dramatically cut your HOA's
legal bills. All too often, board members fail to get necessary legal advice
in a timely manner because they're concerned about the risk of exorbitant
fees.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/7-Ways-to-Shrink-Your-HOA-Legal-Fees.cfm
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7 Tips to Keep HOA Legal Fees in Check
All too often, HOA board members fail to get necessary legal advice in a
timely manner because they're concerned about the risk of exorbitant fees.
But there's a saying: "The cheap comes out expensive."
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/7-Tips-to-Keep-HOA-Legal-Fees-in-Check.cfm
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Job Description 101: HOA Onsite Manager
In this week's tip, we give a reader a head start on creating a job description
for an onsite manager. There are no absolute rules governing onsite
managers' duties. There will be a set of basic duties, like paying the bills,
but the onsite manager's duties will vary among management companies and
boards of directors.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/Job-Description-101-HOA-Onsite-Manager.cfm
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What Does an HOA Onsite Manager Do?
An HOAleader.com reader asks, "Our self-managed HOA pays a member of the
community to be the onsite manager. The original job description prepared
for this role leaves much to be desired. I am wondering if any HOAleader
subscribers might have a manager's job description document they would be
prepared to share as a starting template for others." Here our management
and legal experts flesh out what an onsite manager should and shouldn't be
doing on behalf of an HOA.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/What-Does-an-HOA-Onsite-Manager-Do.cfm
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Tips to Avoid Getting Too Personal with Owners
In this week's tip, we answer a reader's question about whether the board
asked for TMI, as the kids say (translation: too much information), from
owners.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/Tips-to-Avoid-Getting-Too-Personal-with-Owners.cfm
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