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If someone is injured on HOA property, they can hold the association liable for damages. Sure, there are always people trying to play the system, but many truly suffer an injury and deserve compensation. However, these cases can bankrupt an HOA. Here’s what you need to know to prevent these cases and make them as […]... [Read More...]

Do you have a website for your HOA? Getting one up can feel like a technical challenge or an unnecessary expense, but having one can actually improve life for you and for other members of your community. If you don’t want to put one up yourself, contact us at AMI and we’ll do it for […]... [Read More...]

Some people love HOAs and others don’t like them at all, but the truth is that each HOA is different. When you’re on the board, it’s important that you communicate regularly with all the members of your HOA. Use these communications as opportunities to teach the members about life in an HOA and any specifics […]... [Read More...]

Serving on an HOA board can be a great experience…until you run into someone who doesn’t like you, the policies you set, the way you enforce them, or the way you drink tea on Wednesday mornings. Unfortunately, nearly every HOA has someone who isn’t happy with the way things are run. These people can be […]... [Read More...]

Whether you are new to your board or you’ve served on it for years, it’s always a good idea to know what makes an HOA board successful. Review these traits, then discuss them with your other board members. Hopefully, you can come up with concrete ways to improve in each of these areas over the […]... [Read More...]

We all need to do some seasonal cleaning and decluttering each year. The extra stuff we accumulate throughout the year piles up fast, and items that are not being used can create unnecessary messes in homes and backyards in homeowners association communities. A great way to deal with the clutter is to donate unused items […]... [Read More...]

Whether you are a new board member or you’re educating new board members, there are a few pieces of knowledge that will go far towards helping people understand their duties. Many people who get elected to HOA boards want to be helpful, but they aren’t entirely sure what their role involves. Educating them about just […]... [Read More...]

When you live in Florida, you may not think that spring is a big deal. After all, there’s no thaw to enjoy and the birds have been singing in the trees all winter long. However, it’s still a good idea to do some spring cleaning around your HOA. Here are just a few things that […]... [Read More...]

Being on your homeowners’ association board often means working hard to balance the cares and concerns of one person or a small group of people with those of the larger group. This can mean that it can be difficult to figure out who should be responsible for certain things: the HOA or the individual homeowner. […]... [Read More...]

When you run an HOA, you know that being on the board means a lot more than applying the rules, making decisions, and approving or disapproving home improvement projects. It also means that you are responsible for helping develop a sense of community among your homeowners. Sometimes, this job is easy. Other times, you have […]... [Read More...]

Fall is a time of transition. Not only are kids going back to school, but it’s time to get homes and communities ready for the winter. If you are on the board of an HOA, it’s time to make sure that your community and your residents are making this transition as smoothly as possible. Here are some things to think about or be sure to deal with. End of Year Meetings Sure, the end of ... [Read More...]

Have you ever left a Google review? Maybe you had outstanding service at your auto mechanic or a business contacted you after an interaction to request that you leave one. That’s because Google reviews can be powerful forces in helping people make decisions about who they want to work with in various aspects of their lives. Unfortunately, Google reviews aren’t always accurate, especially when it comes to HOA companies. Unhappy People Leave More Reviews Only... [Read More...]

No one wants to be known as the militant HOA, but you still have to have rules and enforce them. After all, if you don’t, what is the purpose of the HOA in the first place? The truth is that it’s totally possible to get your homeowners to follow the rules without breeding ill will in your community. Here are some tips to help you do that. Educate Homeowners If there are rules that get... [Read More...]

Are you new to your HOA board in Florida? Congratulations! You are taking on a worthy and valuable task by participating in your board. If you’ve been on an HOA board before, then you have a rough idea about how things will go. If you’ve never been on a board, though, there’s a lot to learn. Don’t worry, though! Here are the things you should start with when you’re a new board member. Learn How... [Read More...]

Even though the economy has recovered from its low points in 2007-2009, many homeowners associations (HOAs) are still reluctant to raise their fees. Some people will legitimately struggle to pay them and even more will complain, some of them becoming quite vocal. No matter how small the increment of increase, there’s always someone who will protest an HOA increase. However, whether or not HOAs increase their fees, they still have the responsibility for upkeep of... [Read More...]

Beginning in 2019, the law requires that all condominium associations have websites that meet certain criteria. While the deadline has been extended from July 1, 2018, to January 1, 2019, time is still ticking away. If your condo board isn’t already taking steps to comply with the upcoming changes, you could be setting yourself up for a lot of problems. Make yourself aware of the requirements, and start making changes now to avoid the last-minute... [Read More...]

LED street lights and other LED lighting solutions are practical, attractive and can reduce energy consumption in homeowner and condominium associations. Traditional parking lot and street lots present numerous operational and financial changes for condos and HOA. They require extensive maintenance to ensure continuous security and safety. They need to be replaced regularly, and they […]... [Read More...]

When it comes to the passage of new laws that apply to community associations in Florida, some years are much quieter than others. Thanks to the passages of HB 841, however, 2018 has shaped up to be a year filled with major changes for homeowner and condominium associations. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at some of the new laws and regulations and what they mean for your association. 718.111 – Official Records... [Read More...]

In the property management business, communication is key. Keeping the community in the best possible condition financially and physically requires open lines of communication between the property manager, homeowners, and the HOA. If there is a problem, the property manager needs to be notified right away. And if the management company is doing work on the property, they need to keep the HOA and homeowner informed of what’s happen. Property management is a partnership, and... [Read More...]

When you get an email or a phone call from a condo owner who is upset about a pest problem, what do you do? Is the condo board responsible for handling the problem? Or is pet control something that condo owners need to handle on their own? Whether they are dealing with roaches, snakes, mice, rats or any other type of household pest, the problem is one that needs to be addressed immediately to prevent... [Read More...]

While service animals have long been recognized and protected as vital assistants for disabled people, the rise of emotional support animals has caused many concerns for condominium associations. Service animals and their owners are afforded certain rights under the law. While this is also true for emotional support animals, there are some differences. For condominium boards, it can be difficult to understand whether they are allowed to enforce “no pet” policies in situations involving emotional... [Read More...]

With hurricane season in full swing, making sure your homeowner’s association is prepared to face disaster is crucial. The more prepared your HOA is, the easier it will be to minimize the damage and return to normalcy as quickly as possible. Here are a few hurricane preparedness tips for your HOA from the property management experts at AMI. 1. Make Sure All Roofs Are in Good Condition Schedule a professional roof inspection as soon as... [Read More...]

When the time comes to elect new HOA board members, it is important to make sure the process is efficient and effective. The way your association runs elections has a direct impact on the strength and success of the entire community, so doing it right is vital. Here are a few ways to hold effective elections for board members. Check Qualifications Do your HOA’s governing documents outline any specific qualifications for those who wish to... [Read More...]

Across the nation, hoarding is becoming an increasingly common problem. It is especially in community associations in which people live in close proximity to one another. Depending on the severity of the situation, hoarding can cause unpleasant odors, pest control problem and even health hazards that extend from the hoarder’s home into common areas and neighboring units. Hoarding is a disorder that is usually caused by some type of mental health problem, so while it... [Read More...]

Most homeowners’ association boards are far from perfect, and mistakes are more common than many board members would like to admit. These mistakes are especially common in self-managed associations where board members often lack the knowledge to successfully manage a community association. Unfortunately, mistakes can lead to displeased homeowners, major expenses and even decreased property values. Is your board guilty of any of these common HOA board failures? Failing to Collect Overdue Fees Promptly Collecting... [Read More...]

With the official start of spring just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about getting your HOA ready for spring. Longer days have homeowners out getting their properties ready for the coming months, and it is a great time for the board to make sure everything in the community is in good shape. If you are not sure where to get started, here are a few simple ways to prep your... [Read More...]

Establishing a neighborhood watch allows community members to work together to prevent vandalism and crime. While it takes a bit of time to establish such an organization, it is definitely worth the effort. Neighborhood watches make communities safer, and they help build strong relationships between neighbors. If you are thinking about starting a neighborhood watch in your HOA, here are the steps you need to take. How to Establish a Neighborhood Watch in an HOA... [Read More...]

With viruses, malware and hackers always lurking in the shadows, condominium and homeowner’s associations need to take steps to boost their online security. In the technological age, everyone is susceptible. Just like you lock your doors and windows to stay safe in the real world, you need to take steps to secure your association. Here are a few ways to improve cybersecurity in your association. Change passwords often. Staying safe in the digital age means... [Read More...]

Does your condominium association have a website? If not, you may be required by law to have one by next year. According to a recent statutory amendment, all condo associations with more than 150 units must post digital copies of various documents online. These documents must be accessible via the Internet by July 1, 2018, so if your association does not have a website, you have less than a year to prepare. Website... [Read More...]

The process of transitioning a homeowner’s association from self-management to a professional management company is often challenging and requires a acute attention to detail. From taking the time to find a property management team that’s a good fit for your management needs as well as your community’s culture to letting the neighborhood know about the change, it’s important to approach each step of the process carefully. If you’ve decided to make the switch from self-managing... [Read More...]