As we continue on our journey to examine traits which make HOA residents happy, productive and reasonable members of their communities – let’s recap the first two traits we have examined: 

Trait #1: Happy and effective HOA residents understand that they must be familiar with and comply with their governing documents.

Trait #2: Happy and effective HOA residents get informed before reacting negatively.

 

When we delved into Trait #2, I mentioned that it’s not uncommon for residents of HOAs to react negatively to board decisions which affect their wallets and pocketbooks. Let’s face it – that’s just human nature. Trait #3 dovetails into this common reaction and calls on HOA residents to be realistic about the finances and obligations of their HOAs.

 

Trait #3: Happy and effective HOA residents understand that money doesn’t grow on trees.Continue Reading Happy and Effective HOA Residents: Trait #3

Yesterday I began posting a series of blog entries outlining traits of happy and effective residents in HOAs. While members of the boards of directors of HOAs certainly have a significant role in creating vibrant, healthy and livable communities – residents of HOAs play an equally important role in fostering cooperation and reasonableness. Here’s the first trait I outlined yesterday on our journey to discover how residents can do their part to make their associations a great place to live:

Trait #1: Happy and effective HOA residents understand that they must be familiar with and comply with the governing documents of their HOA. 

While it’s imperative for residents to understand and comply with the governing documents of their associations, we can’t stop there. Controversies in HOAs can arise over issues that have little to do with complying with the governing documents. This is particularly true when boards make tough decisions to increase assessments or even levy a special assessment. As a result, we arrive at Trait #2.Continue Reading Happy and Effective HOA Residents: Trait #2

For those of you who follow our blog, you know that last spring I posted a series of blog entries outlining the Traits of Highly Effective HOA Directors. This popular series focused on those traits of HOA directors that contribute to the successful governance and operations of the associations they serve. 

As I reflect back on all of the feedback and conversations that sprang from this series of blog entries, it became clear to me that directors governing effectively is only one piece of the puzzle in building vibrant and livable associations. Owners and residents of HOAs play an equally important role in ensuring that their communities are well-maintained and are a great place to live. As a result, this series of blog entries will focus upon the traits of happy and effective HOA residents.

 

Trait #1: Happy and effective HOA residents understand that they must be familiar with and comply with the governing documents of their HOA. Continue Reading Happy and Effective HOA Residents: Trait #1

Reasonable is a term that is used a lot in the world of homeowner associations. It is a term that can have different meanings depending on who is interpreting the term and in what context the term is being used. According to Meriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the term reasonable means, “1a : being in accordance with reason; b : not extreme or excessive; c : moderate, fair; d : inexpensive; 2a : having the faculty of reason b : possessing sound judgment. As you can imagine, it can be difficult to interpret what one person thinks is reasonable in comparison to another and can present problems when attempting to resolve issues. Continue Reading What is “Reasonable”?

Earlier this week, I  blogged on the requirements in the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (“CCIOA”), that HOAs must adopt as a Reserve Study Policy and Conflicts of Interest Policy and what those policies must contain. As one of the Nine Responsible Governance Policies, C.R.S. 38-33.3-209.5 also requires HOAs to adopt a Covenants and Rules Enforcement Policy which should contain, at a minimum, provisions which address the following items: Continue Reading CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards: Covenants and Rules Enforcement Policy

In my CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards blog posting yesterday, I addressed the Reserve Study Policy – which is one of the 9 Responsible Governance Policies (commonly referred to as “SB 100 Policies”) that HOAs are required to adopt and comply with under the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (“CCIOA”). In May of 2011, Governor Hickenlooper signed into law House Bill 11-1124 which amended C.R.S. 38-33.3-209.5 and outlines the following items which must be included in the Conflicts of Interest Policy for an HOA: Continue Reading CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards: Conflicts of Interest Policy

As Mark Payne noted in his May 21st blog posting entitled Those Pesky Policies, the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (“CCIOA”) requires HOAs in Colorado to adopt and comply with nine Responsible Governance Policies – commonly referred to SB 100 Policies. 

One of the nine policies addresses the issue of reserve studies. Here’s what CCIOA, at C.R.S. 38-33.3-209.5(IX), requires a Reserve Study Policy to include:Continue Reading CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards: Reserve Study Policy

But you can’t make him drink.  A lot of the work I do for my association clients requires me to counsel boards to take actions different from the actions they’d taken in the past.  I advise them to enforce their covenants.  I make sure they treat owners and residents as equally as possible, regardless of gender, age, race, affiliation, or personality conflicts.  I work to dispel myths about owner’s rights and privacy.Continue Reading You Can Lead a Horse to Water…

Last week in a CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards posting, I talked about the circumstances under which the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (“CCIOA”), at C.R.S. 38-33.3-310, requires the use of secret ballots when members are voting in a contested election for directors or on other issues. When counting these secret ballots, here’s what you need to know:Continue Reading CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards: Counting Secret Ballots

We often receive inquiries from HOA board members on whether they are required to utilize a secret ballot when members/owners vote on any particular issue brought before them. The Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (“CCIOA”) addresses voting at C.R.S. 38-33.3-310 and requires secret ballots to be utilized by members under the following circumstances:   Continue Reading CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards: Secret Ballots