https://www.hoaleader.com HOAleader.com - Practical Advice on Homeowner Association Management en-us webmaster@hoaleader.com https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5316.cfm A Manhattan condo that was deemed way more risky for insurers after three major water leaks in four years convinced its owners that the way to make insurance accessible and more affordable was for the owners to agree to foot the bill for floor maintenance, repairs, and insurance. A supermajority of owners agreed to take on that responsibility. Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5315.cfm When you realize your condo or HOA manager has given you bum advice, not once but enough times that you�re not sure you can rely on them, what�s your next step? That�s the question we tackle in this week�s tip, and it arises from an HOAleader.com reader�s question giving examples that their manager may be giving advice contrary to their state�s law. When questioned, the board and manager held firm. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5314.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �Our board is making decisions and votes via email definitely for architectural review committee decisions and who knows what else. The ARCs are not discussed in any way at a board meeting. As a previous board member, I know that�s in violation of Florida law. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5312.cfm In this week�s tip, we help out two different posters to HOAleader.com�s discussion forum who�ve sought advice on the same issue: If you�re looking to rein in rentals in your condo or HOA, should some of your owners get a pass? Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5313.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �We�re a HOA in south Florida, and we�re considering replacing electric street lights on our roadway into our association (1/4 mile) with solar lights. We feel that the cost savings will make up for the replacement of the streetlamps in a small amount of time. We�re in the discovery stage and pulling information together to present to our board to support our recommendation. Do you know of any associations that use solar street lighting in their communities and if so, what issues have they experienced? How much of a cost saving measure was realized?� Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5311.cfm Two different posters to HOAleader.com�s discussion forum are seeking guidance on a thorny issue�how to treat your current owners who already rent their unit when you�re working to enact rental restrictions on everyone else. Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5309.cfm In this week�s tip, we report on legislative activity involving condos and HOAs in two states to prepare you for when your lawmakers start itching to add regulations on how you run your communities. Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5310.cfm A San Diego master community has reportedly agreed to spend just under $1 million to settle a lawsuit brought by its employees. They claimed the HOA failed to pay its hourly workers proper wages or overtime, denied proper breaks, and didn�t adequately reimburse employee expenses. Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5308.cfm A Georgia law, if passed, would prohibit condos and HOAs from foreclosing on owners who owe less than $4,000 in dues, excluding fines. (This is reportedly triggered by one HOA that foreclosed on an owner for a $3-and-change outstanding amount�why do condo and HOA boards do this?!). It would also bar property management companies and individuals associated with them from bidding on or buying homes at foreclosure sales. Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5303.cfm In this week�s tip, we help out an HOAleader.com reader who emailed us with a challenge. Our reader says, �Our COA has many phases, including beachfront and main-street units, and all pay the same per-foot fee. We have one building�most in our complex are on pilings�that has sunk more than five feet on one corner and is uneven over most of a four-unit building. It�s one of 70-some buildings in the complex with more than 600 units total. Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5302.cfm An HOAleader.com reader emailed to ask for insights on a challenge they�re facing, and we�re happy to help. Our reader says, �Our COA has many phases, including beachfront and main-street units, and all pay the same per-foot fee. We have one building�most in our complex are on pilings�that has sunk more than five feet on one corner and is uneven over most of a four-unit building. It�s one of 70-some buildings in the complex with more than 600 units total. Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5301.cfm In this week�s tip, we report on a new trend that�s growing�HOA managers wearing bodycams. Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5300.cfm We saw a reference to HOA managers wearing bodycams. What?! Then we asked several of our manager experts, and they said yep, it�s a growing trend�including in owners� units and at meetings, where they believe it keeps some owners� worst behavior in check�but that some insurers also require it. Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5299.cfm When one neighbor shovels their 80-something neighbor�s walk, and that elderly neighbor happens to be the HOA president, should a board tell the shoveler to back off? That�s the question we tackle in this week�s tip. Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5298.cfm We saw this online post, which raises an important question regarding enforcement and fair treatment for all: �Uh oh! I shoveled my neighbor�s snow this morning. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE! I used to do it every time it snowed until the fascist HOA from the condos next door told me, �You can't do that unless you�re going to do it for all the condos. People think Mary Joe is getting some sort of preferential treatment because she's the HOA�s president. So stop shoveling her driveway.� Mary Joe was in her 80s, and she was my NEXT-DOOR neighbor. So I used to do it for her anyway.� Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5297.cfm As we reported last year, Florida law changed its laws prohibiting HOAs from banning owners from parking a pickup or work truck in their driveway. But that law may not prohibit HOAs from putting aesthetic restrictions on those trucks, like prohibiting tools from being visible in an open bed or ladders from hanging off or for the truck to not have visible damage. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5296.cfm Apparently, a Florida condo isn�t experiencing the typical problem of a lack of attendance at meetings. It�s encountering a nonowner attending because their owner-roommate gave that roomie power of attorney (POA) to attend. And vote. And make records requests. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5294.cfm In this week�s tip, we use a Reddit post to guide you through the process of changing a condo or HOA policy or rule, including whether and when to get your owners involved. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5295.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �After this holiday season, a few concerns have arisen regarding charities and how the membership should control charity involvement. Should there be an approved charity that the HOA participates in? Should there be guidelines on how a charity is approved when it�s presented to the board or to a committee? What are some of the pitfalls to avoid if a charity policy is to be considered?� Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5293.cfm Let�s say you realized one of your condo or HOA policies didn�t work the way you intended. So you as a board followed the proper procedures to undo it. Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5290.cfm In this week�s tip, we ask our experts to weigh in on an HOAleader.com reader�s suggestion that even our reader admits is a little out there. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/products/water-damage-to-condo-hoa-b.cfm In 60 quick minutes, you�ll receive a roadmap that helps you avoid confusion and tension when you�re already dealing with a stressful emergency situation. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5289.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �I have a crazy idea. We�re a small, 14-unit HOA, and we�ve built up a pretty good reserve fund over the last eight years to $225,000. We had a reserve study done, and we have certain capital expenses identified over a 30-year plan. Most big-ticket maintenance items are in years 20 to 30; for example, the roof, windows, driveway, and painting. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5288.cfm In this week�s tip, we take the case of a poster on Reddit (actually a subreddit for people griping about their HOA!) to ask a broader question: Is it your job as a condo or HOA to ensure that your owners are never inconvenienced? Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5287.cfm A poster on Reddit (actually a subreddit for people griping about their HOA!) says their HOA is requiring they move their car for five days for parking repaving. This kind of �you can�t use an area� inconvenience to owners can happen in all kinds of situations: parking, elevator repair, hallway or lobby painting, and so on. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5286.cfm What happens when your condo or HOA president wants to step out of that role but remain a director at large? That�s the question we�re tackling in this week�s tip. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5285.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: "After our last board meeting, the president issued a letter that she�s stepping down for mental health reasons. She�s not leaving the board, just choosing to serve as a non-titled member to create consistency and work on projects to help the community within the board." Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5284.cfm As we reported a few months ago, a Florida state representative got attention when he said that maybe it was time to end HOAs. Well, the latest news is that he has proposed a Florida law that would allow owners to band together and terminate their HOA. The law probably isn�t going anywhere, but this situation has a strong lesson for condo and HOA board members nationwide. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5282.cfm In this week�s tip, we pick our jaw up off the floor to address a question we saw from an online poster. In a nutshell, the poster says they want to convert from a condo to an HOA because they think it�ll provide insurance benefits. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5283.cfm Remember when we reported that you might win big by digging around to see if grants are available to your condo or HOA? We�ve got proof in Pennsylvania! And a much smaller grant to an Illinois HOA is additional proof! Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5281.cfm Would converting your community from a condo to an HOA provide insurance benefits? The question comes from an online commenter who says, �We have a condo with multiple units that includes a beach access right of way, along with other common area properties and water rights. We want to convert to an HOA and deed the property under each unit to individual owners for insurance and catastrophic recovery purposes... Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5276.cfm In this week�s tip, we help out a reader who�s concerned about the ethics and propriety of their board president hiring a member in the community to do work in the community. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/products/how-you-can-use-ai-to-run-your-hoa-better-b.cfm In just one hour, you�ll get the information you need to begin using AI and protecting your board against AI. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5275.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �I�m a member of an unincorporated nonprofit HOA in Texas. I volunteered my time and resources to the community for free for more than 13 years. I and other members have repeatedly been asked by the current president to continue to volunteer our time and resources to the HOA for maintenance, repairs, and so on. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5271.cfm In this week�s tip, we�re helping out an HOAleader.com reader who has a water-intrusion problem. Our reader lives in a condo where one owner found mold in her utility closet that was traced to a leak from the HVAC in the unit above her. The board suspected the unit above her was also filled with mold, and the building paid for the inspection report. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/Checklist-Special-Report-2nd-Edition.cfm This report -- newly updated and expanded for the 2nd edition -- is intended to be your road map for an entire year of operations that you begin using today and turn to for years to come. It provides you with checklists compiled by our editorial team with substantial input from experts on HOA operations and management from across the country to ensure you're steering your association in the right direction and not letting crucial issues slip through the cracks. Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5272.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �Can a resident request a copy of our vendors� contracts? A resident requested a copy of all our vendor contracts. We advised that they can make an appointment and come to the resident center and review them but can�t get a copy. I thought as long as there�s nothing private on contracts, they could get a copy.� Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5270.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �We live in a condo building in New York. A unit owner on the third floor discovered black mold in her utility closet that was traced to a leak from the HVAC in the unit above her (the top floor). So far, she has paid for the mold inspection and remediation in her unit to the tune of $30,000. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5265.cfm An HOAleader.com reader is working to create internal documents to evaluate vendors and wants to know if they can do that work without those pesky owners interfering. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5264.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �I�d like to schedule an executive meeting to discuss current suppliers and employees� performance. Currently, we don�t have procedures or performance review forms for suppliers or employees. At the executive meeting, I�d like to propose procedures and performance review forms for both. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5262.cfm In this week�s tip, we answer questions about loans in response to questions raised by an HOAleader.com reader who lives in a condo. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5263.cfm Florida lawmakers have heard earfuls from owners angry over skyrocketing fees condos and HOAs are imposing to comply with inspection rules implemented after the Champlain Towers collapse. The question is whether their solution of passing a law to allow condos and to get lines of credit and loans is a smart answer. Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5258.cfm An HOAleader.com reader asks: �Our bylaws state the directors at the first election of the HOA will serve as follows: One will serve three years, one for two years, and one for one year. After that, one director will be elected every year for a three-year term. Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5261.cfm If you�re getting a loan for your community, is it common to leave the terms fudgy until after you have final terms from a contractor? And can you get a loan without notifying owners or getting their input? And what�s with the association assets-as-collateral requirement? Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5255.cfm The challenging economy is forcing more and more boards to take drastic actions like the one causing homeowners in Nevada to fume over monthly HOA assessments that have surged from $275 to $490. It�s just doing your job and meeting your fiduciary duty. Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/products/roles-and-duties-of-condo-board-members-b.cfm In just 60 minutes, you�ll get job descriptions and tips for effectively carrying out your obligations as a leader in your community. Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5257.cfm A prompt action letter is a tool you should have in your toolbox. But what is it? And when should you deploy it? In HOAleader.com�s November webinar, How to Protect Your Condo/HOA and Your Own Mental Health in the Face of Increasingly Angry and Aggressive Owners, expert Molly Peacock explained that she suggests boards sometimes send a prompt action letter to put everyone on notice that the condo or HOA doesn�t tolerate discrimination. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5254.cfm Homeowners in Nevada are steaming mad that their HOA fees are surging from $275 to $490 per month. Ouch! But with inflation and ramped up insurance costs, condo and HOA boards nationwide are finding it an absolute must to implement big assessment increases like the one in Nevada. It�s just doing your job and meeting your fiduciary duty. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/public/5252.cfm In this week�s tip, we put our eyeballs back in our head and then objectively analyze a situation in which a manager seemingly mouthed off to an HOA board client. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.hoaleader.com/members/5251.cfm A reader online asks: �The board recently discovered that a unit has a doggie door through the exterior wall of the unit (we discovered it because the unit is for sale and had pictures on the listing). Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800