As the year ends, it’s the perfect time for condo boards to review and update the policies that keep their community running smoothly. A quick annual check ensures your association stays compliant, financially sound, and ready for the new year.

1. Governing Documents: Take a fresh look at your Declaration, Bylaws, and Rules & Regulations. Some ideas of items to ensure are accurate would include; that policies still reflect how your building operates, rules are enforceable and up to date, and that no conflicts exist between documents. If your documents are more than a decade old, consider a legal review.
2. Financial Policies: Strong financial policies help protect the association and ensure a stable budget. Review items such as; assessment collection procedures, delinquency policies, reserve funding strategy, and expense approval guidelines. Year-end is also a good time to assess whether your reserves match your long-term repair needs.
3. Maintenance & Safety Policies: Chicago’s winters and aging buildings require clear maintenance and emergency procedures. Ensure your building(s) are ready for the cold, brutal winters such as; preventative maintenance plans, snow and ice removal plans, emergency response guidelines, and security and key/FOB access procedures. Confirm that your building complies with Chicago building codes, fire safety rules, and inspection schedules.
   If you need vendor support for your building maintenance or safety needs, check out Condoly.io for a full directory of property management and maintenance solutions for your community.
4. Board Governance Policies: Effective leadership relies on clear expectations. Spend time to review; Board code of conduct, election procedures, conflict of interest policy, and communication and meeting guidelines to help build trust and transparency with residents.
5. Owner & Resident Policies: Clear resident-facing policies reduce confusion and complaints. Make sure your policies are current, easy to understand, and accessible to all owners. Some examples of policies to review include; pet rules, rental restrictions, move-in/move-out procedures, package delivery rules, and holiday decorating guidelines.

A December policy review sets your association up for success in the new year—keeping your building well-managed, compliant, and aligned with your community’s needs.

If your board needs further support with financial matters, how to remain compliant with state law and your governing documents, and/or how to operate transparently, reach out to Haus Financial Services today.

Pets can be a positive part of community life, but they also require thoughtful policies to ensure safety, cleanliness, and harmony among residents. Whether your board is updating its rules or navigating new pet-related concerns, here are key considerations for managing pets in a Chicago condo building.

1. Clearly Define What “Pet-Friendly” Means: If your condo association allows pets, make sure your policies reflect that clearly and consistently. Establish written guidelines in the association’s bylaws or rules and ensure management communicates them to all residents.
2. Set Reasonable Restrictions When Necessary: To protect the building and maintain resident comfort, many boards adopt limits such as; weight or size maximums, breed restrictions (if aligned with insurance requirements), and limits on the number of pets per unit. If you update or revise these rules, document the rationale and share it transparently with owners.
3. Establish Expectations for Behavior and Building Use: Clear guidelines help reduce disputes and complaints. Many Chicago buildings enforce topics such as; leash requirements in all common areas, restrictions on pets in gyms, lounges, or amenity floors, barking and noise expectations, and rules for elevator use, such as requiring carriers for small pets.
4. Consider Fees, Registration, and Insurance Requirements: Boards often require certain fees, forms, and items for residents before pets are allowed in a unit including; pet registration forms, annual fees to support cleaning or maintenance, proof of liability insurance for dog owners, and vaccination documentation. A formal registration process helps boards track pets in the building and address issues proactively.
5. Evaluate the Building’s Suitability for Pet Ownership: As you refine policies, take stock of your building’s physical layout and available amenities. Consider whether you have access to; nearby green spaces or dog relief areas, adequate elevators for high-rise living, surfaces and flooring that can withstand pet traffic, and space for a potential pet wash station. Buildings that support pet owners tend to experience fewer rule violations and complaints.

Condo boards must balance the needs of pet owners with the comfort and safety of all residents. Clear rules, strong communication, and consistent enforcement help create a respectful, pet-friendly community.

If your board needs help reviewing or updating pet policies or managing condo operations more effectively, visit Haus Financial Services for expert condominium financial and administrative support.

For condo associations, positive communication is essential to maintaining a healthy, cooperative community. One of the most effective tools condo boards have is simple: gratitude. Showing appreciation helps reduce conflict, increases resident engagement, and strengthens relationships with property managers and vendors.

1. Thank Residents for Their Support: Recognize residents when they follow building rules, adapt during maintenance projects, or contribute ideas. Regular appreciation in newsletters or email updates boosts community morale.
2. Highlight Condo Volunteers: Condo board volunteers and committee members deserve acknowledgment. A “Volunteer Spotlight” or thank-you message can increase participation and support.
3. Appreciate Property Managers & Building Staff: Property management teams, maintenance workers, and cleaning staff keep the building running smoothly. Boards should offer consistent praise, recognition, or small incentives.
4. Show Gratitude to Trusted Vendors: Reliable vendors: snow removal, landscaping, plumbing, roofing, etc. are essential to a well-maintained property. Thanking them can strengthen long-term relationships and improve service quality.
5. Promote Community Achievements: Share updates on completed projects, budget improvements, or building enhancements. Celebrating wins helps residents feel more connected to board decisions.

Creating a culture of gratitude helps condo associations strengthen communication, increase satisfaction, and build a more collaborative community. From all of us at Chicago Condo Resource and HausFS, thank you for being here. We hope to continue serving you with industry insights, expert guidance, board communication strategies, and more that keep your condo association communities thriving.

Chicago’s winters can be long, harsh, and unpredictable, which means condo associations should prepare well before temperatures drop. A little planning now can prevent big headaches later.

Here are the key steps every association should take to get winter-ready:

1. Tune Up Heating Systems: Schedule inspections for boilers and HVAC units, replace filters, and make sure emergency service contracts are up to date. Encourage residents to report heat issues early.
2. Check Roofs, Gutters & Drainage: Clear out gutters, inspect roofs for weak spots, and ensure drainage paths stay open to prevent ice dams and winter leaks.
3. Confirm Snow Removal Plans: Review snow removal contracts, clarify service expectations, and stock up on salt and ice melt. Good planning reduces slip-and-fall liability and keeps residents safe.
4. Winterize Outdoor & Common Areas: Shut off exterior hose bibs, store outdoor furniture, and seal cracks in walkways or parking lots. Inside, check weatherstripping to prevent drafts.
5. Update Emergency & Communication Plans: Make sure emergency contacts, vendor lists, and resident notifications are current. Clear communication is essential during storms or outages.

Preparing now protects your building, prevents surprise costs, and creates a safer winter for everyone.

If your association needs to find, hire, and/or manage professionals for your HOA needs, Condoly.io offers property management & maintenance solutions for your community.

Visit Condoly.io to find vendors to make your winter readiness as easy as can be.

As insurance carriers continue tightening underwriting standards, many condo associations are facing non-renewals or higher premiums, especially when it comes to aging roofs, outdated electrical systems, and weak financial controls.

The CISA Fall Newsletter highlights several red flags that could put associations at risk, including:

• Roofs more than 20–30 years old
• Aluminum, cloth, or knob-and-tube wiring
• Outdated electrical panels (Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Sylvania)
• Missing or inadequate fidelity insurance coverage

These issues can make your building harder to insure and more costly to maintain. Proactive boards are addressing them now; commissioning system inspections, updating maintenance plans, and ensuring compliance with Illinois’ fidelity insurance requirements under Section 18.8 of the Condominium Property Act.

Read the full article 

Strong financial oversight is key to maintaining compliance and staying insurable. Haus Financial Services helps Chicago-area associations with financial management, budgeting, and transparency — so your board can focus on protecting your building and your owners’ investments.

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