COVID-19 has changed the way we live in ways no one ever imagined. To say that the disease took the world by surprise would be an understatement. No one saw it coming. Everyone scrambled to keep up with the sudden changes it brought upon the world. Homeowners associations, for one, had to implement immediate changes to keep their respective communities safe from the threat of the novel coronavirus. In general, every homeowners association across the nation has an emergency and disaster preparedness plan already in place but when COVID-19 hit, no one was prepared for it because no one saw... Read more »

  One of the biggest changes that the pandemic has brought on everyone is physical distancing; that is, keeping yourself at a safe distance from everyone else. This means no close, physical contact with anyone outside of your household, which dramatically changed how businesses ran operations, and how goods and services are purchased and delivered. In the HOA landscape, this also meant limiting physical contact with the board and the community.   What changes did homeowners associations make in order to fulfill their duties? Here are some of them:     1. Virtual meetings   Much like everyone else, HOAs... Read more »

    Homeowners associations  are, to a certain extent, responsible for the general well-being of the community they serve. That said, they have to ensure that every household within their jurisdiction is well-informed about COVID-19, specifically, health and safety protocols mandated by their state or region. So for instance, HOAs in California should have informed their respective communities about the Stay at Home Order signed into effect last December 5, 2020. Such regulations are important to know because related violations could mean penalties for the HOA and the member in question.   What other things should HOAs do to help... Read more »

To say Christmas is different this year is an understatement. COVID-19 has turned the entire world upside down and with it came changes that no one saw coming. Among the things that drastically changed during this time of the pandemic is how special occasions and milestones are celebrated. This Christmas season, homeowners associations may allow celebrations in their communities but with a few restrictions to minimize the risk of contracting the coronavirus and keep everyone safe. Here are a few HOA tips on how to celebrate Christmas or other special occasions for that matter without increasing your risk or exposure... Read more »

The holiday season in 2020 may not be as fun and festive as the previous years, but this shouldn’t stop you and other homeowners in your community from celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. Putting up a few holiday decorations might just get you and your neighbors in a more festive mood. Before you do any decorating, however, it is best to check with your homeowners association about regulations on holiday decorations in your community. Common rules for holiday decorating in HOA-regulated communities HOAs ensure the communities they serve keep a certain standard to protect property values, maintain... Read more »