Unfortunately, community associations in the Pacific Northwest are not immune from becoming victims of embezzlement. Last week it was reported that several homeowner associations were victimized to the tune of over $1.5 million. Many of our clients are now left to wonder: “Could this happen to us?” and “What can we do to prevent this?” […]
Balancing the Issues
In these trying economic times, homeowner associations are looking for many creative ways to keep their collective heads above water. One possible means we have heard from our clients is selling or leasing common areas or facilities. For example, an HOA may wish to sell a portion of its open space to an adjoining community […]
Who Pays?
It is important to remember that not every Association responsibility is paid for as a common expense. Both Washington and Oregon statutes provide that common expenses may, in certain circumstances, be assessed against fewer than all owners. Governing documents may also require that expenses associated with the limited common elements must be assessed to the […]
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
You may have read the popular self-help book Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… and It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life by Richard Carlson, PhD. The book encourages readers to limit the amount of stress, anxiety and mental energy that they spend dealing with things that […]
Effective Communication
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw Whether in a personal or professional context, communication–or lack thereof–often causes strife and conflict. This axiom certainly applies to community association management and governance. How many times have you attended a board or association-wide meeting to find […]
Demystifying Board Member Conflicts
“The greatest crimes do not arise from want of feeling for others, but from an over-sensibility for ourselves and an over-indulgence to our own desires.” – British Statesman Philosopher Edmund Burke. People run for the board of directors of their association for many reasons. Some see the position as a way to get more involved […]
Association Elections and Filling Board Vacancies
Does Your Association Know How to Properly Elect Or Remove Board Members And Fill Board Vacancies? If we take the time to dream about the ideal board of directors we dream that they will be loved and respected by the association, will be unanimously reelected when their terms expire, they will never move away, get […]
Update on National Class Action Plumbing Settlement
Many of you have been keeping up to date on the continuing issues with plumbing system defects and so we wanted to notify you of a recent class action settlement that will affect many homeowners and associations in Oregon and Washington that have PEX plumbing systems with yellow brass fittings. The settlement class includes anyone […]
Process and Procedure
Associations need to take note: Process and Procedure Matter. A Florida homeowner association was recently reminded of this fact when it was ordered to pay an owner $85,000 in damages. The owner is seeking an additional $220,000 in attorney fees. The dispute stemmed from a $2,212 landscaping bill for replacement of the owner’s lawn. See the related news […]
Association Meeting Notices in the Digital Age, Part 2 Oregon Associations
In Oregon, both the Planned Community Act and the Condominium Act were amended in 2007 to add provisions governing electronic notice of meetings. These statutes were a great help to Associations because we know that electronic notices reach more people and save Associations (and their managers) considerable amounts of time and money. The electronic notice statutes […]