Has Your Association Adopted a Written Policy for Resolving Owner Complaints?

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 18 September 2018

Section 35 of the Illinois Condominium & Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act requires all associations to adopt a written policy for resolving complaints made by owners no later than January 1, 2019. 

While it remains to be seen how the state will enforce this requirement, condo boards can more effectively address owner complaints if a written policy is in place.

The written policy must include:

1. A sample form on which an owner may submit a complaint to the association

2. A description of the process by which complaints are to be delivered to the association

3. A timeline and manner of making a final determination in response to a complaint

4. A requirement that the association issue a written final determination within 180 days after the association received the owner's complaint

In order to adopt a written policy for resolving owner complaints, the association must send notice of the proposed written policy to its members and pass a resolution adopting the written policy at a board meeting. 

To learn more, click here.

The Roles of Officers vs. Directors

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 10 September 2018

All condominium associations have directors and officers, but the roles of directors versus officers are often misunderstood. 

Directors are elected by the owners. The board of directors (the "board") is responsible for the operations and management of the association and all of the property. As a board, directors make all the decisions necessary to operate the association. 

Officers are generally elected by directors, from among the board of directors. The officers don't make decisions, but they do have specific responsibilities. The Condominium Property Act and the Common Interest Community Association Act require that each association must have a president, a secretary, and a treasurer. Some bylaws may provide for other officers, such as a vice-president or an assistant secretary. 

To learn more about the differences between Directors and Officers, click here.

Recent Win Upholds Short-Term Condo Rental Restrictions

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Written by Lauren Peddinghaus

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

Published: 29 August 2018

The battle between condominium associations and Airbnb continues, but a recent dismissal of a "source of income discrimination" claim filed by a Chicago condo owner against a condo association further reinforces associations' right to ban short term rentals.

The lawsuit involved a condo owner who was fined for violating the association's declaration, which prohibited the leasing of units for hotel or transient purposes or terms less than six months, and provided that "no portion of the Unit which is less than the entire Unit shall be leased."

The owner filed a complaint with the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations alleging that the association violated the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance by discriminating against the owner based on the owner's "source of income" from the temporary Airbnb guests. The Commission ruled against the owner.

Many condominium Declarations include language prohibiting Airbnb-type rentals. Further, the City of Chicago allows those associations to register as a "Prohibited Building", which Airbnb is required to consult before listing any condo rentals in the City of Chicago. 

If short-term rentals are a problem in your association, the board should consult its Declaration to determine if short-term rentals are restricted and are encouraged to register with the city's Prohibited Building List. If you have questions about this issue, please consult a qualified Condo Law Attorney.

Learn more here.

Payment Plans for Delinquent Condo Owners

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Written by Lauren Peddinghaus

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

Published: 14 August 2018

Unpaid condominium assessments can add up and cause financial difficulty for the association. When owners don't pay their assessments, the board has a right to take legal collection action against the owner and the unit to recover what is owed.

The cost of legal collections can climb very high, depending on a number of variables. Often, the total legal fees and costs exceed the amount of the original unpaid balance, and they are all chargeable back to the unit's account per IL condo law. This can make it difficult for an owner to get caught up.

Before diving into legal collections, the board should communicate with the owner about the delinquency and attempt to get an agreed payment plan in place. The agreement should be written and signed by both the owner(s) and the board, with clear consequences for failure to uphold the plan, including the right of the board to take legal collection action and, if possible, detail on what that action will cost the owner. An owner who understands that the balance may increase sharply if the account is sent to an attorney will be more motivated to stick to the agreement.

The board should allow owners an opportunity to get caught up before saddling them with additional debt. For owners who have broken payment plan promises, however, legal collection action may be necessary to protect the association's financial well-being.