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Posted on February 9, 2021 12:46 PM by Admin
As assessment-paying members of our community, we are entitled to certain rights and—in return—we have certain responsibilities.
Homeowners have the right to:
 
1.       Participate in governing the community association by attending meetings, serving on committees and standing for election.
2.       Access appropriate association books and records.
3.       Prudent expenditure of fees and other assessments.
4.       Live in a community where the property is maintained according to established standards.
5.       Fair treatment regarding financial and other association obligations, including the opportunity to discuss payment plans and options with the association before foreclosure is initiated.
6.       Receive all documents that address rules and regulations governing the community association—if not prior to purchase and settlement by a real estate agent or attorney, then upon joining the community.
7.       Appeal to appropriate community leaders those decisions affecting non-routine financial responsibilities or property rights.
8.       A responsive and competent community.
 
In turn, homeowners have the responsibility to:
 
1.       Read and comply with the governing documents of the community.
2.       Maintain their properties according to established standards.
3.       Treat association leaders honestly and with respect.
4.       Vote in community elections and on other issues.
5.       Pay association assessments and charges on time.
6.       Contact association leaders or managers, if necessary, to discuss financial obligations and alternate payment arrangements.
7.       Request reconsideration of material decisions that personally affect them.
8.       Provide current contact information to association leaders or managers to help ensure they receive information from the community.
9.       Ensure that those who reside on their property—tenants, guests or family members—adhere to all rules and regulations.
 
Posted on October 6, 2020 3:44 PM by Melissa Gentry
Its that time of year when we’re reviewing and updating the community’s budget, and we want your help!  We suggest starting the budgeting process by creating or updating the strategic plan.  
 
A strategic plan outlines priorities and projects for the immediate future and for years to come. It can accommodate revisions as changing circumstances dictate—without conflicting with the vision behind its creation. It also helps determine what this year’s budget will include and suggests what future ones might feature.
The strategic planning process has many advantages. It stimulates ideas to make good use of association resources, identifies responsibilities, assigns work, coordinates efforts, reveals obstacles, identifies opportunities and guides decisions.
 
The plan begins with our mission and vision statements. The mission statement explains our organization’s purpose, such as serving the community and preserving property values. The vision statement, also broad, provides a picture of what the community will look and feel like in the future. It can project a well-managed community, a place where homeowners’ needs are met and a community where residents have a sense of involvement.
 
As we review our plan, we’ll examine all critical association documents, our governance process, facilities and infrastructure, financial statements (including the reserve study) and community demographic trends. We also may conduct a needs assessment, which includes an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats—a tactic used by many businesses.
 
Resident feedback is crucial to the strategic plan. We may ask for your input via surveys and town hall meetings to determine needs and interests. Through these opportunities, you can indicate priorities and suggest projects.
 
We’ll review your comments then develop and prioritize short-term projects, longer-range projects, and how and when to fund them.
Stay tuned, and start thinking about the future of our community.  Let us know if you want to schedule a planning meeting soon.  
 
Posted on April 2, 2020 1:28 PM by Melissa Gentry
CLOSING COMMON AREAS
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Q: How should an association regulate a communal laundry room?
A: It may not be reasonable to shut down a community’s laundry room. However, social distancing needs to be kept in mind when developing procedures to use this facility. This is a great situation to create a schedule for residents to use the facility. An example would be designating a specific day each floor has access to the communal laundry room.
David Graf is a partner of Moeller Graf, P.C. in Englewood, Colorado, and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL) andMatt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: Can we close our gym, business center or other shared facility because of COVID-19?
A: The answer is yes. As the number of COVID-19 cases increases nationwide, many boards are faced with a difficult business decision — should we (and can we) close common facilities?  Indeed, most governing documents provide clear authority to the board to “operate, manage, and supervise” common facilities, which could include suspending their operation.
If the board believes that closing a gym, business center or community room is in the interest of the health and safety of residents to minimize the spread of disease, this is arguably a defensible, sensible business decision under the governing documents. If a board makes this kind of decision, we recommend making the rationale clear in a written communication to the members.
Wil Washington is a partner at Chadwick, Washington, Moriarty, Elmore & Bunn, PC in Fairfax, Va., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: What is the Board’s duty to act to reduce contamination in the community?
A: While associations have a general duty to keep common areas safely maintained, a pandemic emergency of this type is different than more typical common area safety issues. In short, there is no action an association can take to guarantee that the common area is totally clear of the virus, especially as residents come and go on an ongoing basis. What the Board can do is utilize expertise of the CDC and other government authorities to implement recommended strategies to minimize the spread of the disease and have as safe an environment as reasonably possible.
 
We see associations taking the following steps:
• Closing various amenities, including gyms, clubhouses, community rooms and similar areas.
• Requiring residents and guests to “stand back" a respectful distance from staff and concierges.
• Limiting in-person access to site staff and other association personnel
• Limiting repair work to “essential only," in order to minimize contractor traffic, as well as entry by other service providers;
• Enhanced cleaning of surfaces (from elevator buttons to handrails), multiple times per day.
• Placement of hand sanitizer and wipes throughout the buildings and other Association facilities, to the extent supplies are available.
• Encouraging residents to limit guests as much as possible, particularly those with symptoms.
• Asking that residents disclose if they are in quarantine or test positive, so that the association can consider whether additional mitigation measures need to be implemented to ensure a successful quarantine.
Chadwick Washington Moriarty Elmore & Bunn, PC
 
Q: Should associations carry out enhanced cleaning of the common areas?
A: Probably so. The CDC has indicated that the virus is vulnerable to wipe-downs and cleaning solutions, so enhanced cleaning protocols can only help. However, the Association should not represent that the common areas are “virus free,” particularly as residents and guests will surely traverse the areas in an ongoing way. There is no way to guarantee complete sanitization.
Chadwick Washington Moriarty Elmore & Bunn, PC
 
GUESTS AND YOUR COMMUNITY
 
Q: Can community associations legally prohibit guests from entering the community during this time?
A: I am recommending that my clients prohibit all nonessential guests from entering their communities at this time to minimize their residents’ exposure to COVID-19. Caretakers and immediate family members of residents would be excluded from that prohibition.
Donna DiMaggio Berger, a shareholder at Becker in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).

Q: Can community associations prohibit owners from undertaking renovation projects so they can prevent contractors and other workers from entering the property?
A: Contractors should be prohibited from entering the community unless emergency repairs are needed in a unit or on the common elements. Realtor open houses or showings should not be permitted. There are other people who have a legal right to enter the community such as process servers or census takers. Those people can be required to wear protective gear before entering.
Donna DiMaggio Berger, a shareholder at Becker in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
HOLDING BOARD MEETINGS
 
Q: Should board meetings be held during this time?
A: Any nonessential meeting should be postponed. If a meeting cannot be postponed, association boards should move it to an electronic meeting whether video or telephone. It is important to remind attendees that recording of board meetings is not allowed. During this time, association boards should delegate as much to management as possible.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: Should annual meetings be postponed?
A: Annual meetings should be postponed at this time; the health and safety of the community and its residents holds precedent.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: Would associations be justified in holding their board meetings via conference calls as “emergency meetings” due to the declared pandemic, and then ratifying those actions after the health issues are over?
A: Probably not. Older board members with underlying medical conditions are justifiably concerned about possible exposure to the coronavirus. There are steps they can take to minimize their risk and still fulfill their duties as directors.

Conference Phone. Concerned directors can attend meetings electronically via telephone, provided they can hear all other directors in the meeting and all other directors can hear them. This is easily accomplished with a conference phone. Attendance in this manner counts as if the director were physically present in the meeting. (Corp. Code §7211(a)(6).)

The Entire Board. If ALL directors wish to attend a board meeting by telephone, they can do so. However, notice of open meetings must identify at least one physical location with a conference phone where homeowners can attend the meeting and listen to the board conduct business. (Civ. Code §4090(b).) The statute does not require any of the directors be physically present at the meeting location--only a representative of the board (such as the manager).  This requirement has been suspended in Texas.

Emergency Meeting? What if the management company has suspended all meeting attendance for their managers due to the coronavirus? If no other representative can be found to set up the conference phone, can the meeting still be held as an emergency meeting. Unfortunately, this does not meet the definition of an emergency. An emergency is defined as "circumstances that could not have been reasonably foreseen which require immediate attention and possible action by the board, and which of necessity make it impracticable to provide notice" to the membership. (Civ. Code §4923; Civ Code §4930(d)(1).)

Fortunately, technology has reached the point where a call-in number can be published along with the agenda so members who wish to attend can also call into the meeting. All attendees except the board should mute their phones and only listen to the meeting. Except for open forum, members cannot participate in the board's meeting. For associations where there may be a large number of attendees, boards should consult with a technology expert to determine which call-in service best serves their needs.
Adrian J. Adams, Esq., Managing Partner at ADAMS | STIRLING PLC in Los Angeles, Calif.
 
Q: Our HOA is in the midst of an election. The election results are to be tallied and new board members announced. Our recent board meeting was canceled because of the COVID-19 Virus. What do you recommend we do in order to complete the election?
A: To protect your membership from the spread of the coronavirus, you have two options.
 
Option 1. Suspend the Annual Meeting. Suspend your annual meeting until the coronavirus crisis passes. At that point, reschedule the meeting, have the inspector of
elections bring in the ballots, open them in front of the membership and tabulate the results. At that point, new directors are seated. Until then, existing directors remain in place.
 
Option 2. Suspend Attendance but Count the Ballots. Your second option is to suspend membership attendance at the annual meeting but have the inspector open ballots and tabulate results. To protect the inspector, the counting could be done at the inspector's office. That way, the inspector avoids traveling to and working in an area that may already be contaminated. The downside is that members cannot observe the counting of ballots. Even though this is contrary to the requirements of the Davis-Stirling Act (Civ. Code §5120(a)), I believe it is acceptable under the circumstances.
The option you choose is a business decision for the board to make in consultation with legal counsel. Once a decision is made, make sure you communicate it to the membership.
Adrian J. Adams, Esq., Managing Partner at ADAMS | STIRLING PLC in Los Angeles, Calif.
 
RESIDENTS AND THE CORONAVIRUS
 
Q: Can residents quarantine within a community association?
A: Residents have a right to stay in their home if they are quarantined. Management needs to plan for how these residents will get their mail, package deliveries, and dispose of garbage. It is important to remind staff to never enter a resident's unit. 
David Graf is a partner of Moeller Graf, P.C. in Englewood, Colorado, and a fellow in CAI's College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: Do HIPPA laws apply to community associations?
A: HIPPA laws do not apply to community associations. However, associations should try not reveal names of quarantined if possible but can still let residents know if there is a case is in their building.
David Graf is a partner of Moeller Graf, P.C. in Englewood, Colorado, and a fellow in CAI's College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: Can associations require residents to disclose if they have tested positive for COVID-19?
A: During this time, it is important to protect people's dignity and work to assist people who have to quarantine. Associations also should discourage residents from posts on Nextdoor or Facebook that would be seen as shaming people who quarantine.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI's College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL) and David Graf is a partner of Moeller Graf, P.C. in Englewood, Colorado, and a fellow in CAI's College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: What steps should management take when they are informed a resident has tested positive for COVID-19?
A: It is important the community manager asks the following questions after being informed of a resident's positive COVID-19 test.
Will you self-quarantine and where?  For how long?  What assistance does the resident need from management or the board while quarantining?

The board and management should discuss notifying residents of a positive COVID-19 case in the community. It is important to balance the dignity of the individual and to not publicize names or unit numbers.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI's College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL) and David Graf is a partner of Moeller Graf, P.C. in Englewood, Colorado, and a fellow in CAI's College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: How should boards respond if they learn that a resident tested positive for the coronavirus? Do they have an obligation to inform residents? Is there liability for the board if it does not?
A: This raises conflicting interests--a person's privacy about their medical condition and the membership's safety.

Authorized Disclosure. If the person with the coronavirus authorizes full disclosure, the board can disclose the person's name to the membership. This allows residents who had contact with the person to immediately self quarantine and get tested for the virus. Before doing so, I encourage two precautionary steps for boards. First, the authorization should be in a written communication from the person or the person's attorney. It should never be based on hearsay and rumors. Second, the disclosure should be limited to members and residents. Particular vendors who may have had contact with the person could also be alerted. The board should not broadcast the information outside of the community.
 
No Authorization. If the infected person tells the board in confidence that he contracted the coronavirus and does not want anyone to know, the board may still have a duty to notify the membership. However, it would do so without disclosing the person's name. The board would simply report, “A resident has reported testing positive for the coronavirus.” A disclosure, however limited, alerts residents to take extra precautions to protect themselves. In addition to giving notice, the board should contact the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC has the power to make additional disclosures, trace contacts, quarantine individuals, and take other actions it deems medically necessary.

Self-Quarantine. What if the person does not have the coronavirus—he is simply self-quarantining as a precaution? If that is all he is doing, I don't believe the board has an obligation to notify the membership. Potential Liability. There is always the potential for liability if a board becomes aware of a threat to their community and does nothing. If, as a result of the failure to disclose, members fall ill and some die from the illness, lawsuits will likely follow. Accordingly, silence may not be the best course of action.

Recommendation: As volunteers, boards are allowed to seek expert advice. When confronted with issues involving the coronavirus, directors should not make decisions based solely on recommendations in a newsletter--whether mine or someone else's. They should contact legal counsel and the CDC for guidance.
Adrian J. Adams, Esq., Managing Partner at ADAMS | STIRLING PLC in Los Angeles, Calif.
 
Q: What if an infected resident needs an “in-unit” service?
A: This is a difficult question to answer. We suggest that any non-essential service be postponed until “the coast is clear” per CDC guidelines. If the service is truly essential (a plumbing backup), there are protocols that can be undertaken by qualified contractors, but securing them may be difficult given the national emergency. This must be reviewed on a “case by case” basis.
Chadwick Washington Moriarty Elmore & Bunn, PC
 
Q: What if association staff reports symptoms?
A: Many associations are employers or have a role in working with management company staff on site. Site staff should be encouraged to report to management or the Association if they start experiencing symptoms of the virus, so CDC-recommended measures can be implemented to minimize the risk of infecting others. The Association should determine if the staff member has recently interacted with any particular resident, so those residents may be alerted as well.
Chadwick Washington Moriarty Elmore & Bunn, PC
 
Q: Can we prevent residents we know have traveled to any high-risk areas (China, South Korea, Iran and Italy) from returning to their units?
A: Overly restrictive protocol that unnecessarily impacts your residents’ freedoms and quality of life are not likely to withstand a potential legal challenge and they also will create unnecessary strain in your community. It is important to remember that not every private residential community will be impacted in the same way.
Donna DiMaggio Berger, a shareholder at Becker in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: Can we ask potential purchasers and potential renters if they have traveled to any high-risk areas?
A: Speak to association counsel before engaging in conversations with potential purchasers or potential renters about COVID-19 and their possible travel-related exposure.
Donna DiMaggio Berger, a shareholder at Becker in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: What are the best methods to communicate with residents?
A: The primary job of association boards and staff is to disclose crucial information—what is happening and why—to our residents. It is important to put thought into the best central location for your community to receive information and that it is consistent between all platforms. Many communities are using a central bulletin board, email, and social media platforms to provide residents with updates. Boards and staff are encouraged to date and timestamp all messages.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: What type of information should be included in communications to resident?
A: Associations should put notices throughout common areas reminding residents to wash their hands, not touch their face, and include any updated information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that may be useful for residents. It is important to consistently direct residents to the local authorities—local, state, and federal updates that are being provided on COVID-19.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS
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Q: How should an association handle residents who are late or delinquent on assessments?
A: Compassionate leniency should be exercised when possible. It is important for boards to review their collections policy from a compassionate place. Associations need to assess if essential services can be provided if the association is late on paying its fees. If possible, associations should try to waive late fees and fines.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: What documentation should associations ask for from residents who cannot pay their assessments in a timely manner?
A: Associations should require a written statement from residents that includes where they worked and why they are asking for lenience.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL)
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Q: How should an association respond to a resident’s request for an assessment reduction if they have closed common areas/facilities?
A: Residents need to be reminded that amenities are closing for health and safety concerns outlined by public policy. Associations will incur more cleaning costs during this time. Typically, an assessment reduction only applies to a resident if he or she is not receiving a service other members of the community are receiving.
Matt D. Ober is a partner of Richardson|Ober|DeNichilo in Pasadena, Cali., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: Now that we are crisis mode, how do we handle owners who are losing their jobs/income? Don't really want to see people losing their homes due to this crisis. What if the HOA can't pay its bills?
A:The crisis will end at some point (hopefully soon) and businesses will restart. I recommend boards place a lien on delinquent properties to protect the association’s interests, but suspend all foreclosure activity. Once people return to work, you can work out payment plans with delinquent owners.
 
Permanent Job Loss. The more difficult scenario will be those persons who permanently lose their jobs. They will be looking for new jobs once the economy reengages. How long do you wait for them to find work? What if they can't? When you get to that point, you will need to discuss options with legal counsel and decide how best to proceed.
 
Drop in HOA Revenue. If delinquencies impact cashflow, associations still need to pay their bills. If boards need to, they can borrow from reserves. Without a vote of the membership, boards are allowed to borrow from reserves to meet short-term cashflow problems. (Civ. Code §5515(a).) Monies borrowed from the reserves must be repaid to the reserve fund within one year of the date of the initial transfer, except that the board may, after giving the same notice required for considering a transfer, and, upon making a finding supported by documentation that a temporary delay would be in the best interests of the association, temporarily delay the repayment. (Civ. Code §5515(d).)
Adrian J. Adams, Esq., Managing Partner at ADAMS | STIRLING PLC in Los Angeles, Calif.
 
Q: Can we expect this pandemic crisis to affect the association’s ability to collect assessments?
A: Yes. Just as the economic crisis in 2008, this pandemic is already resulting in difficult financial situations for citizens throughout the country. If the crisis is only a few months, the Association would likely be well-served by being flexible with owners, such as waiving late fees or granting payment plans more liberally. If the crisis drags out further, however, other alternate strategies might be considered, including budgeting a larger amount for bad debt. Another “wild card” is whether government stimulus might be available to associations or members during this difficult time – and that has yet to play out definitively.
Chadwick Washington Moriarty Elmore & Bunn, PC
 
PENDING CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR CONTRACTS
 
Q: How should associations address any pending construction projects?
A: If possible, nonessential contracts should be deferred. If an essential project is taking place, it is crucial to speak with the vendor about its ability to staff the project within current CDC guidelines. Any contract modification needs to be in writing and approved by the board. A protocol needs to be established for necessary services (refrigerator repair) that promotes health and safety for other residents.
David Graf is a partner of Moeller Graf, P.C. in Englewood, Colorado, and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
Q: Can community associations prohibit owners from undertaking renovation projects so they can prevent contractors and other workers from entering the property?
A: Contractors should be prohibited from entering the community unless emergency repairs are needed in a unit or on the common elements. Realtor open houses or showings should not be permitted. There are other people who have a legal right to enter the community such as process servers or census takers. Those people can be required to wear protective gear before entering.
Donna DiMaggio Berger, a shareholder at Becker in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
 
This information is subject to change. It is published with the understanding that CAI is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, medical, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.​