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This service is available to help resolve disputes between two homeowners within a community, a Board and a homeowner, or a Board and a vendor. This program will begin in November 2019.
He often mentions the Dutch concept of gedogen as being an integral aspect of the liberalism that has flourished in that corner of the world. Gedogenis defined as a form of tolerance in which something that is technically illegal is tolerated for the benefit of the community as a whole. Continue reading “GOING DUTCH”
First of all, when an amendment is filed with that office, all owners and subsequent owners of homes in the community will legally be on notice that such amended rules exist and apply to them. Filing amendments with the County Clerk’s Office is also a good way to make sure those documents can be easily located by future generations of board members and homeowners. Finally, the Declaration of most HOAs requires that amendments be recorded in order to be effective.
Continue reading “TO FILE, OR NOT TO FILE? FOR AN HOA BOARD, THAT MAY NO LONGER BE THE QUESTION”
Annual meetings are for more than providing information to the Community. They are also for electing Board Members who will be responsible for making the day to day decisions necessary to keep the finances and property in good order.
A well planned annual meeting and election is the key to finding good candidates and having a smooth transition and term for those elected. One way to begin the process of finding persons interested in running is to form a nominating committee. A nominating committee will seek candidates by canvassing the community, either in person or in writing, and assist the board in preparing the election materials prior to the annual meeting.
Continue reading “ANNUAL MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS”
The boards’ initial inclination, and direction to our office is often to do everything to prevent or limit such access. The homeowner may be a perpetual thorn in the side of the board – looking to criticize the board at every opportunity – and the instinctual approach is to “circle the wagons” and give the person as little ammunition as possible.
Continue reading “AVOIDING “US v. THEM” – Part II – Transparency”
Many do not understand what a condo is, what is actually owned, and what it means to live in a community association. In essence, a condominium is a form of ownership whereby a person owns the entire condo unit (much like an apartment), but shares ownership of the rest of the building(s) and other property of the condo (e.g., roads, sidewalks, parks, clubhouse, pool, etc.) in common with the other owners. The owners elect a Board of Managers to handle the community’s finances, make repairs, enforce rules, oversee construction projects, etc.
PMI is a type of mortgage insurance policy that provides compensation by the insurance company to the Lender in the event a borrower defaults on the mortgage. PMI does not protect the borrower from having to pay the mortgage if they are unable to do so. It is an insurance policy only for the Lender and has no benefit to the borrower other than to allow a borrower who would not normally qualify for a mortgage to be approved for a mortgage. Typically, PMI is a monthly amount paid by the borrower with the mortgage payment or a one-time payment made by the borrower at closing. Sometimes, the bank will pay for the one-time payment option, but this is not common.
Continue reading “Private Mortgage Insurance (“PMI”) FAQ’s”
Rather, Boards may want to consider implementing changes to their pet policies to accommodate the growing population of pet owners. In keeping with this trend, many community associations are creating amenities for pets, as well as imposing reasonable and workable restrictions on pets and their owners.
Continue reading “Paws for Thought”
Conscientious Board members, who are volunteering their time, talents and energy to better the community, wonder why their efforts are unappreciated and why they are constantly under attack. The tendency is to “circle the wagons,” which only serves to perpetuate and exacerbate the feelings of animosity between board members and the constituents they are trying to serve.
Continue reading “AVOIDING “US v. THEM” PART I – INCLUSION”
811 West Jericho Turnpike
Suite 101W
Smithtown, New York 11787-3227
Phone: (631) 265-5550
Fax: (631) 265-5590
Email: info@taylor-eldridge.com
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