How to Protect Your Residents and Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 30 March 2020

Across the country, many cities, including Chicago, are now under “shelter-in-place” orders. For board members and property owners, it is vital to prepare your communities and residents during this rapidly evolving pandemic.

Here are some tips to protect your community at this time:

• Asses critical versus non-critical building/community functions to determine which must continue.
• Consider postponing or canceling open houses and/or showings.
• Encourage residents to remain in their respective homes and not to congregate in hallways or common areas.
• Sanitize commonly touched surfaces as often as possible.

Read more, here.

Coronavirus Webinar this Monday (3/23)

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 21 March 2020

The Coronavirus continues to throw condo and HOA boards into uncharted territory and we all have a lot of questions.

Join a free, in-depth webinar on Monday, March 23, where two community association experts will help you work through the biggest challenges facing community associations during this uncertain time.

During this webinar, you’ll get information on:

• What a community association's responsibility is when it comes to the coronavirus
• What information you can and should provide to members on the virus and your operations
• How to evaluate whether to hold meetings and social functions
• Questions to ask to determine whether you can use today's technology for must-have meetings
• Whether you should consider upgrading your cleaning and maintenance schedules
• How to treat notice of a member's exposure to, or positive test for, the virus
• How to plan for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order — What stays open? What must stop?
• What to consider with suddenly unemployed homeowners who can't pay their association fees?
• Do's and don'ts for addressing this unprecedented situation

Learn more and register here.

Practical Guidance on Assistance Animals in HOAs

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 16 March 2020

Under the federal Fair Housing Act, assistance animals are not considered pets and housing providers, including HOAs, must make reasonable accommodations to permit them. However, a historical lack of guidelines and definitions surrounding assistance animals has hindered disabled people while allowing abuse by people not needing assistance.

Recently, HUD issued practical guidance on assistant animals, outlining an 8-step process for responding to requests, with helpful tips for each step.

Associations, their board, and their managers should be aware of the existence of Fair Housing laws and regulations at the state and Federal level.

To learn more, click here.

How Should Homeowner and Condominium Associations Handle Coronavirus?

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 09 March 2020

When it comes to the coronavirus, association boards should be vigilant, but there are limits to what a community association can do to fight illnesses. While the virus should be taken seriously, there are still many unknowns surrounding transmission and prevention.

Similar to the flu, associations can provide owners with general, useful tips for staying healthy. They also may need to postpone or cancel events in common areas.

In general, directors should consider possible future steps, but approach the situation reasonably and calmly.

Learn more here.