Over the past several weeks, we have dealt with many questions about the proper procedure to follow when issuing fines against owners who do not comply with association rules. One important requirement that many associations do not know about or understand is the obligation to give owners notice and an opportunity to be heard before…
Author Archives: Valerie Farris Oman
Service Animals: General Information
Our clients contact us frequently to ask what accommodation, if any, must be made for owners (or even tenants) who have service animals. Based on extensive research and multiple experiences with clients responding to discrimination complaints, the information we provide to our clients is as follows. The FHA makes it unlawful to discriminate against any…
Accommodating Owners with Disabilities
We receive many questions from our clients related to owner requests for disability accommodations, such as permission to install a wheelchair ramp on association property. Our research on this issue has led us to share the following information with our clients: Associations must follow the requirements of the Fair Housing Act (the “Act”), even those…
The Carrot Approach to Collecting Assessments
Association attorneys can talk all day long about the “stick” approach to collecting delinquent assessments, because that’s what we do – we get involved after a delinquency already exists. However, the “carrot” approach to collecting assessments – essentially preventing or at least reducing delinquencies – is equally important and can save associations a lot of…
Can Community Associations Regulate Smoking?
Our clients often ask us about what authority, if any, they have to regulate or even prohibit smoking – in common areas, limited common areas, or even inside individual units. Generally speaking, associations have the authority to regulate or prohibit smoking in the common areas as well as limited common areas like decks. The best…
Upcoming Condo Law Webinars
If you missed yesterday’s webinar ‘Electronic Communications’, please click here to listen to this valuable webinar on electronic communications for community associations. Sign up for our August 25, 2010, September 8, 2010 and September 22nd webinars by clicking on the links below. August 25th at 10am – How to Determine Who Pays for What Topic:…
Blue Angels in Seattle!
Last Friday, August 6th, Condominium Law Group had the pleasure of hosting many of our friends and colleagues in the condominium “world” at the home of our executive director, Gil Price. Gil graciously opened his home to a crowd so we could pile on his roof to watch the famous Blue Angels practice for their…
What to Include in Association Records
Community associations have an obligation to maintain business records just as all corporations do. Often our clients ask us what information and documents belong in association records. As a starting point, we like to address what does not belong in those records; namely, attorney-client privileged information. Correspondence (including e-mails), memos, and attorney invoices all contain…
Condominium Law Group Now Offers Educational Webinars
Condominium Law Group recently began offering a series of free webinars on a variety of topics relating to community associations and community association law. You can view our most recent webinar by clicking this link for the recording of the CLG webinar on Popular Amendments. You can also register to view upcoming webinars using the…
Good Policies Mean Good Collections: Making the Most of Delinquent Assessments
We recently had an article published in the May/June 2010 editions of the Community Associations Journal, published by the Washington State Community Associations Institute. The article discussed our belief that adopting, understanding, and consistently enforcing a clear collections policy can mean the difference between successfully collecting money owed to your association, or not. Please follow…
Author Archives: Valerie Farris Oman
Notice & Opportunity to be Heard
Over the past several weeks, we have dealt with many questions about the proper procedure to follow when issuing fines against owners who do not comply with association rules. One important requirement that many associations do not know about or understand is the obligation to give owners notice and an opportunity to be heard before…
Service Animals: General Information
Our clients contact us frequently to ask what accommodation, if any, must be made for owners (or even tenants) who have service animals. Based on extensive research and multiple experiences with clients responding to discrimination complaints, the information we provide to our clients is as follows. The FHA makes it unlawful to discriminate against any…
Accommodating Owners with Disabilities
We receive many questions from our clients related to owner requests for disability accommodations, such as permission to install a wheelchair ramp on association property. Our research on this issue has led us to share the following information with our clients: Associations must follow the requirements of the Fair Housing Act (the “Act”), even those…
The Carrot Approach to Collecting Assessments
Association attorneys can talk all day long about the “stick” approach to collecting delinquent assessments, because that’s what we do – we get involved after a delinquency already exists. However, the “carrot” approach to collecting assessments – essentially preventing or at least reducing delinquencies – is equally important and can save associations a lot of…
Can Community Associations Regulate Smoking?
Our clients often ask us about what authority, if any, they have to regulate or even prohibit smoking – in common areas, limited common areas, or even inside individual units. Generally speaking, associations have the authority to regulate or prohibit smoking in the common areas as well as limited common areas like decks. The best…
Upcoming Condo Law Webinars
If you missed yesterday’s webinar ‘Electronic Communications’, please click here to listen to this valuable webinar on electronic communications for community associations. Sign up for our August 25, 2010, September 8, 2010 and September 22nd webinars by clicking on the links below. August 25th at 10am – How to Determine Who Pays for What Topic:…
Blue Angels in Seattle!
Last Friday, August 6th, Condominium Law Group had the pleasure of hosting many of our friends and colleagues in the condominium “world” at the home of our executive director, Gil Price. Gil graciously opened his home to a crowd so we could pile on his roof to watch the famous Blue Angels practice for their…
What to Include in Association Records
Community associations have an obligation to maintain business records just as all corporations do. Often our clients ask us what information and documents belong in association records. As a starting point, we like to address what does not belong in those records; namely, attorney-client privileged information. Correspondence (including e-mails), memos, and attorney invoices all contain…
Condominium Law Group Now Offers Educational Webinars
Condominium Law Group recently began offering a series of free webinars on a variety of topics relating to community associations and community association law. You can view our most recent webinar by clicking this link for the recording of the CLG webinar on Popular Amendments. You can also register to view upcoming webinars using the…
Good Policies Mean Good Collections: Making the Most of Delinquent Assessments
We recently had an article published in the May/June 2010 editions of the Community Associations Journal, published by the Washington State Community Associations Institute. The article discussed our belief that adopting, understanding, and consistently enforcing a clear collections policy can mean the difference between successfully collecting money owed to your association, or not. Please follow…