Condo Living Made Easy

The reds, golds, and ambers of fall are a treat, until they cover every inch of your lawn and walkway. Managing fall cleanup in a condo community can be a challenge, but it’s also a great opportunity to embrace sustainability. From composting leaves to mulch programs, here are easy ways for condo boards and residents to work together toward a cleaner, greener property.

Bagging leaves doesn’t have to mean waste. Through the City of Chicago’s Yard Waste Program, residents and associations can schedule free pickup of leaves and grass clippings. Just collect them in paper bags (no plastic allowed) and call 311 to request pickup (we suggest coordinating a property-wide “yard day” so residents can gather leaves together before calling 311 for collection).

The city transforms your yard waste into compost, helping divert thousands of pounds of organic material from landfills each year.

If your property has smaller lawns or minimal leaf coverage, consider grasscycling or leaving shredded leaves and grass clippings on the lawn to decompose naturally. It’s great for soil health and saves the time and cost of bagging.

The City of Chicago’s free mulch program is a hidden gem. The Bureau of Forestry offers mulch made from recycled tree debris at pickup locations throughout Chicago, available year-round while supplies last.

Common pickup spots include:

• 9909 West Foster (O'Hare Site)
• 2342 South Ashland Avenue (North West corner of property)
• 900 East 103rd Street (North East corner of property)

Mulch helps your plant beds retain moisture, protect roots from winter frost, and reduce weeds, all while recycling natural materials.

If your association needs support in your landscaping or outdoor yardwork, Condoly.io provides the easiest way to find, hire and manage professionals for all your HOA needs!

Every condo board knows that accurate and professional meeting minutes are essential — but not everyone feels confident writing them. Are you unsure what really needs to be recorded (and what doesn’t)? Want to make your minutes more efficient, consistent, and legally sound?

Condoly’s next Board Basics Training is here to help!

• Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
• Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM
• Hosted by: Condoly
• Featuring: Diane Pagoulatos of "Flying Fingers"

In this one-hour training, Diane Pagoulatos of "Flying Fingers" and an expert in professional minute-taking, will guide you through the best practices for recording your association’s business.

You’ll learn how to:

• Avoid potential complications that can affect unit sales and legal compliance
• Include the right details and leave out what shouldn’t be in your minutes
• Use simple techniques and technology to save time and stay organized

Whether you’re a new board secretary or an experienced volunteer looking to refine your process, this training will give you the tools to record minutes with confidence and accuracy.

Why does this matter? Clear, well-structured meeting minutes protect your association by documenting decisions, actions, and discussions in a way that stands up to scrutiny. They also streamline future meetings, make recordkeeping easier, and build trust among owners. Don’t let messy minutes cause confusion later — join us to learn how to do them right the first time.

Reserve your spot for Board Basics Training: Meeting Minutes on Wednesday, November 19 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM. 👉 Register your FREE Condoly account or Sign in to your existing Condoly account to register.

The Community Associations Institute (CAI) recently approved an update to its Assessment Increase Limitations Public Policy, reaffirming the importance of a board’s discretion in setting assessments that ensure the financial stability and long-term health of a community.

This policy reflects CAI’s commitment to supporting boards as they make informed financial decisions — balancing the needs of homeowners with the responsibility to maintain property values and community safety.

Condominium boards often face the challenge of rising costs, whether due to insurance premiums, utility increases, or unexpected maintenance issues. The updated CAI policy emphasizes that assessment adjustments are not arbitrary but are grounded in careful financial analysis, reserve studies, and the ongoing maintenance needs of the community.

In other words, when a board increases assessments, it’s typically doing so to:

• Maintain adequate reserve funding
• Address preventive or corrective maintenance
• Cover inflation or rising operational costs
• Ensure the health, safety, and value of the property

CAI’s revised policy highlights several important principles for community associations:

• Board Discretion: Boards should have reasonable flexibility to determine appropriate assessment levels for their communities.
• Transparency and Trust: Open communication between the board and homeowners is critical when setting and explaining assessments.
• Financial Planning: Assessments should be based on sound budgeting practices and reserve studies that anticipate both short- and long-term expenses.
• Legislative Awareness: The policy discourages laws that overly restrict a board’s ability to manage finances responsibly.

Check out the full summary of CAI’s official recommendations, which includes detailed examples of how assessments are used and guidance on budgeting best practices.

Learn more about CAI's resources for condo board members and community leaders.

Need help planning your next budget or navigating assessment increases? Contact Haus Financial Services for expert financial management solutions tailored for Chicago condo associations.