For many buyers, a key factor in deciding to purchase a home in a residential community rather than opt for private, single-family ownership is often the appeal of amenities that come with condo, co-op, and HOA living—pools, gyms, clubhouse…

While many condominium associations and co-op corporations hire professional property managers or management firms to handle the routine (and not-so-routine) tasks involved in running a multifamily building or HOA, a significant number take…

The day-to-day life of a property manager—while not quite as predictable as that of, say, an accountant—does revolve around certain cyclical tasks, like building inspections, staff meetings, and keeping boards informed of what is going on w…

In his monthly Condo Advisor column for the Chicago Tribune , Howard S. Dakoff, partner in the community associations practice of Chicago law firm Levenfeld Pearlstein, recently offered some COVID-related suggestions to associations …

Q. I live in a condo and my neighbor downstairs from me is constantly smoking. I brought it to the attention of management and nothing has been done. What are my options as an owner: do I bring legal action against the management, or do I t…

Staging an apartment for sale has always been an important factor in getting the best price for your unit, but in the current market, it has become even more so. Many aspects of a condo or co-op unit are static, and while buyers are looking…

The holidays: a time for upholding long-standing traditions, usually involving festive gatherings of family and friends, communal meals, sacred services, gift exchanges, visitors, and, invariably, crowds—until this year, that is.  The coro…

With COVID-19 number surging nationwide, many of the questions that arose at the start of the pandemic last spring have come back into the foreground. Boards and property managers are struggling to explain - and enforce - rules around maski…

The coronavirus crisis has brought about many unwelcome changes to households around the world—but it has also allowed some to make or hasten lifestyle choices that were impractical or otherwise out of reach before. One such choice has been…

Most condo association and HOA boards are made up of volunteers who may or may not (usually not) be legal professionals. This can lead to even the most well-meaning boards making costly legal blunders. In this short clip, two legal pros dis…