While the basics of preventing—and surviving—relatively common disasters like fires or severe weather events should be well known to anybody living in a community association or planned development, the reality is that each building com…
According to some sources, the word “tips” is actually an acronym—it's short for “To Insure Prompt Service,” and the list of people who are commonly tipped—at least in the United States—includes everyone from hair and nail salon workers t…
Sooner or later, every co-op or condo owner will have to deal with the inconvenience of living through a major capital improvement project—a roof replacement, an elevator rehab, serious exterior work, or something of that nature. No mat…
One of the most rewarding aspects of living in an urban area is the opportunity for people from a broad array of ethnic and sociological backgrounds to get to know each other as neighbors. That doesn't mean that managing a building or …
Whether they serve a co-op, condo, or HOA community, board members have a responsibility to govern and make decisions on behalf of that community—a charge that is often referred to as the board's 'fiduciary duty.' Decisions made on beha…
For the most part, it's human nature to be somewhat fearful of change. People tend to stick with what they have and what they know, rather than explore new possibilities. That’s definitely the case with condos and co-ops in re…
Removing a multifamily community's trash and recyclables is an important job, especially in a private development that is not served by municipal or city-run sanitation services. And though it is crucial to their daily lives, most peopl…
Think about this: according to the United States Department of Labor, each year nearly 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence. Fraud committed by employees cost American companies approximately $20 …
In an online forum, Sharon complains about her upstairs neighbor and begs for advice. It seems that her neighbor had installed a washing machine in the unit, even though there was one already downstairs for the residents of her six-unit…
By and large, a board and management company can expect payment from residents for monthly fees to be received on time and in full. These all-important funds keep day-to-day operations moving forward without delay. There are situations,…