HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - September 18, 2015
Published: Fri, 09/18/15
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HOA May Be Killing Ducks. Should the Board Speak Up?
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In this week’s tip, we talk about killing wildlife.
Sounds awful, but wildlife can cause difficult and expensive problems. The topic arises because a Katy, Texas, HOA admits it has removed ducks from its grounds, much to the dismay of some homeowners. It happened in the Grand Lakes Homeowners Association. One homeowner told KHOU in Houston that recent minutes of the board said that in March, 66 ducks had been killed. The board didn’t admit to killing the ducks to KHOU but did confirm the “lawful and humane removal of the ducks…because of overpopulation.”
According to KHOU, the board said there were health concerns: “Duck and goose droppings have also been linked to infections in humans such as E. coli and salmonella.” The board also claimed droppings caused $100,000 in repair costs in local pools and decks.
A suspicious person might assume the board’s response meant it had something to hide. “It’s possible they violated some environmental or game laws,” notes Nathaniel Abbate Jr., a partner at Makower Abbate & Associates PLLC in Farmington Hills, Mich., who represents associations. “It’s a touchy, touchy subject in Michigan where we’re located in Oakland County. We have so many lakes, and we have a huge problem with the Canada goose. They’re dirty. I was at a meeting where the board president bragged that it’s not illegal to toss firecrackers to scare them off. To me, that sounds like it would be one heck of a distraction to the neighborhood.
“But there are ways to control them,” adds Abbate. “Associations have the right to take limited action, including removing their eggs. But the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has regulations that have to be followed. The best thing an association can do is the same thing we always tell them: Do things the right way, by the book.”
Though some owners told KHOU they’re suspicious of the Katy board, there’s no evidence it did anything improper. But it may still have made a mistake. Read more in our new article: http://www.hoaleader.com/members/1233.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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Are This HOA Board's Wildlife Actions OK?
Though the HOA isn't saying much more, the board of a Katy, Texas, HOA admits it has removed ducks from its grounds, much to the dismay of some homeowners.
The question: When does an HOA need to step in to address wildlife problems? And how transparent should you be with owners on the solutions?
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/Are-This-HOA-Boards-Wildlife-Actions-OK.cfm
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When to Charge Your HOA's Owners with Trespass. Really.
An HOAleader.com reader asks, "We have a voice [announcement] system that lets residents know the pool is closing. The third warning, without leaving the area, the police are called, they respond, and the violators could be charged with trespassing. When should the HOA file trespass charges against the violators? One violator moved the cameras so they would not view the pool area."
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/When-Charge-Your-HOAs-Owners-with-Trespass-Really.cfm
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HOA Reserves and Other Funding Options: How to Be a Smart HOA Money Manager
The more you know about how to fund your operations, the more confident you'll feel responding to owners who question your financial wisdom. Build that knowledge by watching this one-hour webinar led by two community association experts. They'll explain what you need to know about HOA reserves and other funding mechanisms. They'll also reveal the smartest moves you can make to ensure your HOA can pay for needed maintenance and repair projects, and even community upgrades.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/products/smart-hoa-money-manager-b.cfm
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HOA Bed Bug Extermination: Who Does It? Who Pays?
In this week's tip, we apologize in advance if we creep you out. Our topic: Bed bugs!
We're covering the topic because one of our readers recently had an infestation and wants to know if the association can charge the owner for the extermination costs the association had to pick up. Sure. But you may not want to.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/HOA-Bed-Bug-Extermination-Who-Does-It-Who-Pays.cfm
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Bed Bugs! Have an HOA Plan Before They Invade
An HOAleader.com reader asks, "Despite our having one of the best-maintained condos in the area, we have experienced a very limited (one condo) infestation of bed bugs. The manager handled the issue promptly, thoroughly, and efficiently, but not without cost. The question: Is there a standard answer about whose responsibility it is to pay for the extermination? The event occurred toward the top of a high-rise condo building, and the remedy was not inexpensive. Is this the financial responsibility of the homeowner (who rents the condo), the renter--if the culprit can be identified--or the association?"
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/Bed-Bugs-Have-HOA-Plan-Before-They-Invade.cfm
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