Why Does Your Condominium Association Need a Reserve Study?

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 26 October 2021

Reserves take care of the infrastructure and capital aspects of an association. These are repair and replacement needs that happen infrequently and carry large price tags. Associations should be including a contribution to reserves in their annual budget. But how do you know how to calculate that contribution? A Reserve Study can help.

Reserve studies are important to the health and stability of an association, because:

1. Without a reserve study, an association cannot determine how much money it should have in reserves.
2. During reserve studies, professionals evaluate the life of all capital investments, allowing associations to understand how much money is needed each year to replace each component.

Reserve studies should be conducted and updated regularly so that your association can plan for large repair needs over time. 

Read more, here.

Board Tips for Handling Owner Complaints

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 19 October 2021

How a Board of Directors responds to complaints from members has a great impact on the association. 

Handling a complaint correctly can deter future violations from the violator and other owners.

While it is important that a Board of Directors is seen as a group that enforces rules and regulations, it is also important that they are seen as fair.

Check out this step-by-step processhis step-by-step process for community associations to follow when enforcing rules and regulations.

How to Handle Vaccinated Residents Who Won’t Wear Masks

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 12 October 2021

 As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out across the country, board members are noticing that many vaccinated residents no longer want to wear masks.  

Even while more people receive the vaccine, CDC guidelines remain the same, including hand washing, social distancing, and mask wearing.

Therefore, vaccinated residents still need to take precautions by wearing a mask in public spaces and not gathering in large groups.

Vaccinated residents who refuse to wear face coverings are also calling for  amenities to reopen, which could expose associations to liability. 

If associations choose to reopen their amenities, they must adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines in addition to determining the cost of extra precautions for reopening. 

Boards should continue to communicate the importance of masks and social distancing in public areas of their buildings. 

Learn more and find helpful templates for communicating with residents here.

The End of The Illinois Eviction Moratorium

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 06 October 2021

 As of October 4, 2021, the Illinois Eviction Moratorium has ended. 

This means that residential tenants can once again be evicted from their units. Additionally, a “covered person” is no longer protected from evictions and landlords are no longer required to send the IL declaration prior to filing an eviction lawsuit. 

Learn more here.