Category: Association Operations

This country was founded over two hundred years ago with a heavy dose of independence and a strong “Do-It-Yourself” attitude. The DIY mindset, with roots in Europe and European culture, crossed the Atlantic Ocean with the earliest immigran…

As readers of this publication surely know, well-run condo buildings and HOAs need to have adequate amounts of money in both their operating funds and their reserve funds. The operating fund covers most of the day-to-day costs of run…

Nothing lasts forever, and though you can’t predict the moment a piece of building equipment will break down, you can prepare for it. Even the toughest boiler, HVAC unit, or elevator will eventually tucker out and need major repairs, or ju…

How often should a multifamily apartment building in South Florida have its garbage chutes cleaned? That question depends on who lives in the building and how big it is, says Chet Ribner, president of Southern Chutes, Inc. in Hollywo…

Management of any property requires a varying degree of resources and skills. Materials, capital, and personnel are required for everything from ordering supplies to the complete overseeing of a multi-unit, high rise condominium. Above all…

When it comes to ensuring that important association documents are private and secure, board members and managers have to follow specific protocols. However, due to ignorance or carelessness, those rules aren’t always followed. “Prob…

With today’s condo and HOA residents much more conscious of their impact on the environment and looking for ways to reduce it, smart boards and property managers are looking to help. Simple tasks like turning down thermostats, shutting off…

 It's hard to believe that not so long ago, recycling was a pretty novel concept, especially for cities and municipalities. In the 1970s and '80s, local governments started to establish recycling programs due to rising energy prices and a …

There are two ways—and only two ways—to balance a budget: increase revenue, or decrease spending. Whether you’re the treasurer of a co-op or condo board or the President of the United States, those are the only two levers at your disposa…

These days, just about everyone is cutting back on spending, whether to make ends meet, save for something special or a rainy day, pay off debt or fund their retirement. Consumers are cutting coupons, looking for deals and keeping a cl…