HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week – July 6, 2018
Published: Fri, 07/06/18
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To Bid Out Your HOA Contracts or Not?
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In this week's tip, we answer a question that a listener asked at HOAleader.com webinar—though we've broadened the question to help boards out.
At our May webinar, "Community Association Insurance Made Easy--and 10 Must-Have Endorsements to Save Money and Your Skin," a listener asked how often boards should bid out their insurance policies.
Good question! Our experts agreed on the answer: Generally, they recommended doing that about every three to five years, though you might want to consider doing it earlier if you see rate hikes or a decline in service.
The question is also a good one to consider for all the other contracts boards sign.
Our experts first advise that you be judicious in how often you bid out contracts; demanding service providers go through the process too often could backfire. Their belief: If you make service providers jump through the hoops of bidding more than necessary, they'll decline to bid or charge you a premium for their time, neither of which benefits your association.
"I agree with that perspective," says Alex Noland, CCAL, founder of Noland Law in San Francisco, which represents about 100 community associations throughout California. "I think the associations that tend to go out for bid and get proposals very often are focused only on the financial and not on the quality of the service, the institutional knowledge, or longevity with the association.
"You can kind of get a bad reputation," adds Noland. "Vendors or service providers may be wary of working with you, or they may be less likely to agree to favorable terms if they believe you're going to cancel the contract right when the contract term ends."
Noland says he sees associations bid out contacts in two common scenarios. Check them out, and get more suggestions about contract bidding, in our new article: https://www.hoaleader.com/members/3749.cfm.
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Upcoming Event
How to Handle the Growing Challenges of Service and Emotional Support Animals
What HOA and Condo Association Boards Can Do -- without Triggering Costly Legal Trouble
Thursday, July 26, 2018
2:00 p.m. Eastern
An Exclusive HOAleader.com Webinar
With Practical Tips for Condo and HOA Boards
Learn more or register now:
https://www.hoaleader.com/products/service-and-emotional-support-animals-challenges-a.cfm
Members save $30!
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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Major HOA Contracts and How Often You Should be Bidding Them Out
At HOAleader.com's May webinar, "Community Association Insurance Made Easy--and 10 Must-Have Endorsements to Save Money and Your Skin," a listener asked how often boards should bid out their insurance policies. Good question! Our experts agreed on the answer: Generally, they recommended doing that about every three to five years, though you might want to consider doing it earlier if you see rate hikes or a decline in service. The question is also a good one to consider for all the other contracts boards sign. So here our experts tell us how often you should be bidding out the most common HOA contracts.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/Major-HOA-Contracts-How-Often-You-Should-be-Bidding-Them-Out.cfm
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Why a Reversal of a Curious North Carolina HOA Ruling Doesn't Really Matter
In early 2017, HOAleader.com reported on a North Carolina case in which an HOA was prohibited from bringing a lawsuit after a third party--not even one of its owners--argued that the board didn't follow its governing documents in deciding to bring the lawsuit. That was certainly unusual--allowing a third party to get a case against it dismissed because the HOA didn't adhere to procedures set forth in its own governing documents.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/public/Why-Reversal-Curious-North-Carolina-HOA-Ruling-Doesnt-Really-Matter.cfm
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How to Handle the Growing Challenges of Service and Emotional Support Animals
Join us for an in-depth webinar on July 26, where two experts with extensive experience in fair housing issues and law will tell you how you should and probably shouldn't respond to owners' requests for accommodation for any animal.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/products/service-and-emotional-support-animals-challenges-a.cfm
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California Court Throws Monkey Wrench into HOAs' Rental Restrictions
In this week's tip, we explain a California court's ruling invalidating an HOA's rental restrictions by relying on the California Coastal Act, which protects public access to coastlines. The court held that banning or regulate short-term rentals was a decision only a city or coastal commission could make, not an HOA.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/public/California-Court-Throws-Monkey-Wrench-into-HOAs-Rental-Restrictions.cfm
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