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HOA Rules

Subtopics: Violations, Enforcement, Use Restrictions

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HOA Rules: Using Webcams and Video to Enforce Rules in Your Homeowners Association
March 2010
Webcams may be the simple and low-cost solution to some common but annoying problems with enforcing HOA rules. But can your condo or homeowners association install cameras and use the evidence you capture on video to impose fines on your residents? . . . keep reading

Owners in Your HOA Need Guidance? Use a Model Code of Conduct for Homeowners
February 2010
We've created a model code of conduct for HOA boards, but homeowners have responsibilities, too. We've asked our experts for their best advice on the conduct homeowners should always follow, along with conduct homeowners should avoid. Here's a list that you can distribute to all owners in your association. . . . keep reading

Can Your HOA Fine Owners for Slacking?
February 19, 2010
This week's tip addresses two common problems: lazy owners and the need for additional revenue. Can your homeowners association kill two birds with one stone by financially penalizing owners who don't attend meetings, vote, or volunteer by imposing a "nonparticipation" fee on them? . . . keep reading

Can Your HOA Impose "Nonparticipation" Fees on Complacent Homeowners?
February 2010
You'll probably never be able to get all your homeowners to volunteer for association duty. But is there a way to financially penalize those who don't attend meetings, vote, or volunteer by imposing a "nonparticipation" fee on them? Even if you can, is it a good idea? Are there alternatives that would build participation in a positive way? We've got answers. . . . keep reading

HOA Architectural Review: How to be Fair and Reasonable With Requests for Variances
December 2009
It's inevitable that at least one of your homeowners will approach your board and ask for a variance from the association's architectural review standards. Can your HOA grant a variance? If so, should it? Here are some answers. . . . keep reading

Robert's Rules for HOAs: What You Need to Know
December 2009
Robert's Rules of Order is a more-than-100 year old guide that provides governing bodies procedural rules to keep their deliberations orderly. What are the pros and cons of following Robert's Rules? If your association decides to follow it, what are the most important rules everyone should know? Here's a summary. . . . keep reading

HOA Rules and Free Speech: When Do Rules Restricting Speech Go Too Far?
October 2009
Could your homeowners association prohibit a resident from placing seven Marine Corps decals on his vehicle? That's what The Woodlands II on The Creek, an HOA in Dallas, has done, insisting that the Marine Corps decals on Frank Larison's car are advertisements that are prohibited by the association's governing documents. Here's advice on how far your HOA can go in restricting residents' free speech. . . . keep reading

HOA Rules and the FHA: Can Your Homeowners Association Restrict the Number of Occupants in Units?
October 2009
In today's recession, a growing number of families and even unrelated people are living together to save money. But when is enough occupants in one dwelling enough? Is four residents in a two-bedroom, one-bath condo acceptable? What if that number rises to six? Is it even any of the condo or homeowners association's business? Here are answers. . . . keep reading

How Should Your HOA Deal With Developers' Improper Promises? Discussion Forum Follow-Up
August 2009
A frequent thread on the HOAleader.com discussion forum deals with the all-too-common problem of associations that are left holding the bag after developers have bent the rules by making promises that violate the association's governing documents. Developers tell potential buyers they'll make an exception to association rules to close a deal. Then, after the developer turns the property over to an independent board, the new board is left trying to explain why some owners can break the rules while other owners have to follow those same rules. What can be done? . . . keep reading

Being Overly Strict With HOA Meeting Rules Can Be a Mistake
July 24, 2009
One common mistake for condo and HOA board leaders is to be too controlling at meetings. Just as you can be too lax with your agenda, you can also be too strict with perceived "rules." . . . keep reading

Comfort Animals and HOAs: Do You Have to Accommodate and Bend Your Pet Rules?
July 10, 2009
This week's tip is about comfort animals: pets that improve the mental or physical health of a patient. In some cases, comfort animals must be treated as any other legal accommodation for a disability. . . . keep reading

HOA Pet Rules & Required Accommodations: The Facts About Comfort Animals
July 2009
Is Fido a medical necessity, or are we being taken for chumps? That's the question HOA board members are asking themselves as a growing number of owners claim that their beloved pet isn't a . . . keep reading

Does Your HOA Have Unwritten "House Rules"?
June 26, 2009
We recently talked to two experts about the problems condos and homeowners associations run into when they rely on unwritten "house rules". If your HOA is in this position, this week's tip is specially for you. . . . keep reading

HOA Rules: Don't Let Your HOA Board Get Caught in the Trap of Relying on Unwritten "House Rules"
June 2009
It's common for HOA boards to try to enforce "house rules" that are unwritten but have supposedly been followed since the beginning of time. Two experts explain why doing so is likely to come back to haunt you--and how to fix the situation if this has been a common practice at your condo or homeowners association. . . . keep reading

Don't Waive Your Right To Enforce Your HOA's Rules
June 19, 2009
If you have rules, use them or lose them. "Waiver" is a basic idea in contract law. It means that if you regularly let contract violations pass without complaint, you can't later try to enforce those provisions. . . . keep reading

Pets and HOAs: Have You Seen These Pet Problems?
June 2009
Insiders reveal the most common--and the most unusual--pet problems they've seen at homeowners associations. They also offer tips for resolving pet issues at your HOA. . . . keep reading

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