It’s important to make sure your association’s board of directors makes decisions following proper procedure. But what do you do if your board doesn’t? There are several ways to validate board decisions after the fact. The way to fix an improper board action depends on what kind of mistake was made. Here are some possibilities….
Author Archives: admin
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Condominium associations homeowners need to be aware of Washington’s carbon monoxide alarm law! Although the law was passed in 2009, it requires that all buildings classified as residential occupancies (which includes condominiums) be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors by January 1, 2013. See RCW 19.27.530 for the full text of the law. A carbon monoxide…
What’s in Your Governing Documents?
Washington law contains numerous provisions containing restrictions and requirements on COAs and HOAs. In many cases, however, the law contains a minimum requirement only and defers to the more specific provisions of the governing documents. For a primer on governing documents and their interplay with the law, please read our Governing Documents post. The law…
When Board Members Go Rogue
Sometimes, board members don’t follow the rules. A board member might speak out of turn at meetings or dominate the floor; might take actions without consulting other board members or in direct conflict with a board decision; or might even hide or steal association records or funds. Sometimes a board member puts his or her…
Board of Directors Resignation
Imagine this scenario: your association’s entire board of directors decides they are fed up with being board members, and all resign at the same time, leaving your association with no board at all. Or, imagine that, one by one, each board member resigned over time and was never replaced, so that when the last board…
Resale Certificates
A resale certificate is a document that a unit owner must provide to the purchaser before they can sell their condominium unit. Any unit owner who wishes to sell his or her unit needs to be aware of the resale certificate requirements. These requirements apply to all Washington condominiums. The resale certificate must contain certain…
Adopting a Budget
Many condominium and homeowners’ associations are preparing their annual budgets this time of year. Association members, as well as the association’s board of directors, need to be aware of the laws applicable to community association budgets. A budget is an estimate of the future financial needs of the association. A budget needs to provide for…
Condominium Law Group Gets a Little Press!
We wanted to share some news with you, especially since it’s been a while since we posted. Condominium Law Group’s own Valerie Farris Oman was quoted several times in a recent article in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine! Here’s a link to the article, titled Dues and Don’ts: Condo owners who get behind on homeowner dues could…
FHA Recertification Deadlines
We received an email this week from CAI regarding a change in the FHA recertification process for condominiums. As many of you may know, all FHA approvals granted prior to October, 2008 were scheduled to expire on December 7, 2010. FHA has decided to extend the deadlines to allow more condominiums to take advantage of…
FHA Recertification
We’ve received a number of calls recently about FHA recertification for condominiums. This is due in large part to the December 7, 2010 deadline for recertification of many of the condominiums in Washington. Certification for all condominiums approved prior to October 1, 2008 will expire on December 7, 2010. If your condominium received FHA approval…
Author Archives: admin
Fixing Improper Board Decisions
It’s important to make sure your association’s board of directors makes decisions following proper procedure. But what do you do if your board doesn’t? There are several ways to validate board decisions after the fact. The way to fix an improper board action depends on what kind of mistake was made. Here are some possibilities….
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Condominium associations homeowners need to be aware of Washington’s carbon monoxide alarm law! Although the law was passed in 2009, it requires that all buildings classified as residential occupancies (which includes condominiums) be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors by January 1, 2013. See RCW 19.27.530 for the full text of the law. A carbon monoxide…
What’s in Your Governing Documents?
Washington law contains numerous provisions containing restrictions and requirements on COAs and HOAs. In many cases, however, the law contains a minimum requirement only and defers to the more specific provisions of the governing documents. For a primer on governing documents and their interplay with the law, please read our Governing Documents post. The law…
When Board Members Go Rogue
Sometimes, board members don’t follow the rules. A board member might speak out of turn at meetings or dominate the floor; might take actions without consulting other board members or in direct conflict with a board decision; or might even hide or steal association records or funds. Sometimes a board member puts his or her…
Board of Directors Resignation
Imagine this scenario: your association’s entire board of directors decides they are fed up with being board members, and all resign at the same time, leaving your association with no board at all. Or, imagine that, one by one, each board member resigned over time and was never replaced, so that when the last board…
Resale Certificates
A resale certificate is a document that a unit owner must provide to the purchaser before they can sell their condominium unit. Any unit owner who wishes to sell his or her unit needs to be aware of the resale certificate requirements. These requirements apply to all Washington condominiums. The resale certificate must contain certain…
Adopting a Budget
Many condominium and homeowners’ associations are preparing their annual budgets this time of year. Association members, as well as the association’s board of directors, need to be aware of the laws applicable to community association budgets. A budget is an estimate of the future financial needs of the association. A budget needs to provide for…
Condominium Law Group Gets a Little Press!
We wanted to share some news with you, especially since it’s been a while since we posted. Condominium Law Group’s own Valerie Farris Oman was quoted several times in a recent article in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine! Here’s a link to the article, titled Dues and Don’ts: Condo owners who get behind on homeowner dues could…
FHA Recertification Deadlines
We received an email this week from CAI regarding a change in the FHA recertification process for condominiums. As many of you may know, all FHA approvals granted prior to October, 2008 were scheduled to expire on December 7, 2010. FHA has decided to extend the deadlines to allow more condominiums to take advantage of…
FHA Recertification
We’ve received a number of calls recently about FHA recertification for condominiums. This is due in large part to the December 7, 2010 deadline for recertification of many of the condominiums in Washington. Certification for all condominiums approved prior to October 1, 2008 will expire on December 7, 2010. If your condominium received FHA approval…