The art of contract negotiation is often overlooked when associations are contemplating hiring a contractor to provide a particular service or perform certain work.  At the beginning of the relationship, everyone is on their best behavior and thinking that all will go according to plan.  Often, bo Read More...

The battle between smokers and non-smokers may be reaching a tipping point in community associations.  More boards are introducing declaration amendments prohibiting smoking completely – in individual units as well as in the common areas of their communities.  And those amendments are attracting Read More...

You’ve, no doubt, heard the term “conflict of interest” flung around quite a bit in the HOA industry.  But what does this term really mean?  Did you know that CCIOA, with the help of the Revised Nonprofit Corporations Act (“Nonprofit Act”), specifically defines this term and provides gui Read More...

In our Generative Thinking By Boards article we explored how board members could collaborate with association managers to generate creative, insightful and thoughtful decisions as leaders in their communities. This month we will focus on Strategic Thinking by boards.                  Read More...

The Secretary of State recently announced that they have added password protection for business owners and filers to safeguard against identity theft. When association’s file their annual reports online, filers now have the option to create their own password. Read More...

As we are in the middle of annual meeting season for many communities, it may be helpful to review the budgeting process that you are required to follow.  Budgeting is the process of reviewing your association’s anticipated income and establishing planned expenditures for the upcoming year.  The Read More...

A North Carolina homeowners association recently discovered it is not immune from theft despite its efforts to minimize the risk of embezzlement. The Parkwood Homeowners Association lost between $150,000 and $200,000 over a 2 ½ year period when it discovered its office administrator was using debi Read More...

Have you ever wondered when an association legally comes into existence?  Is it when the first home is built, or is it when the development plan is approved by the County?  The correct answer is neither.  According to Section 201 of CCIOA, a common interest community legally comes into existence Read More...

It appears the fall-out of condominium communities losing or not renewing their FHA certifications is now beginning to hit associations. We are starting to experience a notable increase in calls from managers, board members, mortgagees, brokers, and owners in the past month concerned and/or upset a Read More...

If your community is still under declarant control, you should be aware that CCIOA prescribes a time frame within which the declarant must turn over control of the board to the community owners. Pursuant to Section 303(5)(a) of CCIOA, a declarant is required to turn over control of the board to owne Read More...