HOA Resource Center

How can you tell an experienced meeting chair from an inexperienced chair before the meeting is even called to order?  There are lots of ways, but one key indicator of an experienced chair is such individual has a copy of the organization’s bylaws close at hand.  Why?  What is in that formal, b Read More...

Do your communities ever have surplus funds in their operating accounts at the end of their fiscal years?  If so, what have you done with such funds?  Unbeknownst to many, CCIOA actually addresses this issue for post-CCIOA communities (i.e. communities created after July 1, 1992).Section 314 of CC Read More...

You’ve often heard us talk about the three facets of a community:   But there are also three modes of governance for your association board. Governance as Leadership; (Chait, Ryan & Taylor, 2005). In the fiduciary mode, boards are concerned with being the steward of the association’s phys Read More...

A homeowner association's ability to foreclose on a property for failing to pay assessments is a potent tool in collections. Unfortunately, many associations do not utilize this avenue of collections due to a belief that the association would become obligated to pay the first mortgage on the propert Read More...

A receivership allows an association to intercept a tenant's rent payments.  The rent payments are applied to the delinquent homeowner's balance until paid in full.  The process of the receivership is handled by the receiver, an independent third party appointed by the court.  If you are interest Read More...

Today’s associations understand the need to convey, and even over-communicate, important information to their members.  To that end, some associations have jumped into the cyberworld with their own Facebook and/or Twitter pages.  Before jumping in with both feet, however, associations should con Read More...

This article provides a brief overview of mediation concepts and uses. Mediation is a powerful and creative dispute resolution process. Associations should consider mediation as an alternative approach for resolving certain disputes that arise in their communities. Mediation is an informal process Read More...

It’s that time of year again when managers and board members go into hiding to develop budgets for their associations for the coming year.  The following is a checklist of some items to keep in mind as associations work through the annual budgeting process: Set goals for the upcoming year in rela Read More...

Fidelity insurance protects the association in the event someone associated with the association takes the association’s money and runs.  Typically, fidelity insurance will provide coverage in cases of employee theft, theft of money and securities while on premises or in transit, forgery, fund tr Read More...

A community association’s governing documents – its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Declaration or covenants – typically fall within three categories: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Take this quick self-test to determine where your documents fall: Read More...

This checklist can help associations evaluate using foreclosure as a collection tool. Read More...

There has been much ado about reserve studies, reserve funds and investment of reserves in the last few years, fueled largely by changes in Colorado law related to reserves.  It is no wonder board members and managers often have a lot of questions about what is required and what is prudent.  This Read More...

2011 was an active year for legislation that will affect community associations of all kinds in Colorado.  Overall most bills were positive and did not add significantly to the administrative burdens of managing and governing homeowners associations.  But there are new laws that every Colorado hom Read More...

To guard against problems and liability, associations need to know the ins and outs of snow removal contracts, what to do when a slip-and-fall occurs and when a frozen pipe breaks. The following guidelines and tips will help associations prepare for the winter season. Read More...

Community associations use covenants, rules, and architectural standards/guidelines to: Maintain, preserve, enhance, and protect the property values and assets of the community, Promote harmonious community living, Preserve the common scheme and harmonious design of the community. Covenants and ru Read More...

The Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (“CCIOA”) governs the formation, management and operation of most Colorado associations and common interest communities (“CIC’s”). CCIOA applies differently to CICs and their associations if the CIC existed prior to July 1, 1992, the effective da Read More...

In our society of increasing litigation, its comes as no surprise that suits against property managers are on the rise. The incidence of lawsuits for professional negligence in various fields has increased greatly in the last ten years, and the property management field has not been immune to this Read More...

In April 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968.  The Act was a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Act prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, (and as amended) disability, Read More...

Community spirit means pride in a community.  Building community spirit creates an emotional equity allowing residents to have an invested interest in their community.  The key to having a spirited community doesn’t rest in the size or the wealth of the association, but rather the enthusiasm and Read More...

Experience has proven that a manager who takes the effort to avoid the five practices listed below benefits both from reduced liability and the increased professionalism that he/she exhibits in dealing with boards, vendors, and developers. 1.    Do not exceed documented authority to act The contr Read More...