7 Tips to Running a Homeowners Association

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 16 March 2021

It's not easy taking responsibility for your condo or homeowners association. If you are a board member, you may face a lot of expectations about how you handle your role. Here are 7 ways that you can make your time serving your association as successful as possible:

Prepare Ahead of Time

Whether it is a board meeting, public meeting, or local event, start planning well in advance and informing the people who will be involved.

Know the Documents

Your governing documents outline specific rules and processes that need to be followed to effectively run the HOA. Understanding these documents will help you build credibility with residents and avoid potential violations. 

Improve Communication

Communication is key for any homeowners association and you need to be clear and effective in your communication with residents living there. Exchange contact information and post community updates to a website. 

Get People to Attend Meetings

Try to make meetings more fun and encourage participation by having snacks available, giving away small prizes, or even playing games.

Play to People’s Strengths

Make sure everyone has a role that plays to their strengths. If you’re new to the job, take the time to get to know everyone and ask them what they’re best at and what role they would prefer to have.

Encourage Community Spirit

If everyone in the community feels involved, you’ll have an easier time keeping it up running smoothly. Instilling a sense of community pride is one of the best things you can do during your time as president. 

Learn from Your Mistakes

You’re going to make mistakes but make sure to learn from them so you don’t make the same mistake twice. 

Pay Attention to Details

Focusing on the little details, like getting more people to the meetings, studying your documents, and encouraging community spirit, you’ll do a much better job at running things. 

Learn more here. 

Wireless Internet in Community Associations

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 09 March 2021

In 2020, nearly 4 million cable/satellite television subscriptions were cancelled as consumers made the switch to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney +. 

While most consumers currently use wires for broadband internet service,this is changing as consumers now favor wireless broadband internet.

In 1996, the FCC adopted the Over the Air Reception Device Rule, or OTARD rule. In short, the OTARD rule prohibits homeowners' associations and condominium associations from placing restrictions on residents which impede the installation, maintenance, or use of satellite dishes, TV antennas, or wireless cable antennas.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made an important change to its Over-the-Air Reception Device rule, which now ncludes small antennas used for wireless internet in the list of other antennas community associations must allow, preempting any local laws or community association rules related to antennas.  

Luckily, boards do not need to spend money on a rule change, they just need to comply. 

Learn more here. 

Homeowner Assistance Fund May Aid Condo Owners Affected by COVID-19 Job Loss

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Written by Lauren Peddinghaus

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

Published: 03 March 2021

The U.S. House of Representatives voted yes to support the pandemic relief package that includes the Homeowner Assistance Fund.

The Homeowner Assistance Fund helps homeowners who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Condo owners may be eligible to apply for the Homeowner Assistance Fund to help with past due assessments, mitigating delinquencies and helping owners to avoid foreclosure.

Contact your legislators to ask them to support this bill so that it can move further in the legislative process.

Cook County Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 23 February 2021

Unlike the vast majority of Illinois cities and municipalities, Chicago’s Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance contains stringent provisions that require strict landlord compliance. 

On January 25, 2021, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed a county-wide version of the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance that mirrors Chicago’s ordinance.

Both ordinances regulate security deposits and provide for statutory damages and attorney’s fees for landlord noncompliance. Additionally, both ordinances delineate landlord and tenant obligations and remedies. 

Beginning June 1, 2021, the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance will apply to all properties located in Cook County. 

Learn more here.