Under the Fair Housing Act laws, “reasonable accommodations” need to be provided upon written request. Your association needs to buy a good microphone/sound system.
Barbara Holland
Email: holland744o@gmail.com
Barbara Holland is a certified property manager, broker and supervisory certified association manager. Questions may be sent to holland744o@gmail.com.
Depending upon the board, many associations do not provide direct contact information with the directors. Instead, correspondence to the board is to be sent to the community manager. The primary reason is that too often the contact information is misused by residents who will call directors regardless of the time; or visit their homes. Association business should be conducted at board meetings and through the management company.
Q: Heard from a friend living in a nearby community that his HOA is being sued. Reports are that some kid on a bike crashed into a palm tree and cut his arm. No details exactly where this vicious tree was: adjacent to a sidewalk, on a remote slope of the common elements, etc. Appears the tree was trimmed in the usual way where there are short pieces of the “fronds” still attached. Pieces must have been sharp enough to cause the injury. Our board has discussed this matter and is wondering if “shaving” or “skinning” the trunks is warranted — at least up to 8 feet to 10 feet in height. Not sure if either term is correct but it produces a “textured” and not one with, uh, sharp edges. Do we really have to go to this extreme? Would every HOA, park, casino, etc have to do the same? How idiot-proof can you make an environment? Pad the streets so if someone fell, they wouldn’t hurt themselves? Pad block walls so if someone bumped into them, they wouldn’t hurt themselves? The potential cost to shave trees could be enormous on anyone or everyone owning a potentially deadly palm tree. Is this bordering on absurdity?
Nevada Revised Statutes 116.31175 subsection 4a states the personnel records of an association’s employees are confidential with the exception of the number of hours worked and the salaries and benefits of those employees. There is no state law as to how a homeowner uses this information.
Each association should review its covenants, conditions and restrictions and rules and regulations as you may be able to add to them to include drones.
It is not always easy to change attitudes. Perhaps, an informal lunch with the president and the board can set her on the right path, especially since you have indicated the new president has made some good changes.
Q: I live in a homeowners association in northwest Las Vegas. In our gated community, there is a no solicitation sign posted at each gate; speed limit signs posted at various locations and stop signs installed at certain intersections. All three are ignored. The HOA board states they are powerless to enforce. The Metropolitan Police Department states the community is private property, which limits their enforcement.
Nevada Administrative Code 116 are the regulations that are established by the Common-Interest Communities and Hotel Commission as authorized by the state Legislature. NAC 116.405 pertains to the responsibilities of association boards,
As a board member, you are entitled to copies of letters being sent to homeowners. Per your fiduciary responsibilities, board member are to keep confidentiality of such violation letters.
One of the most important functions that a board of directors has pertains to the transition of control from declarant (the developer) to a homeowner-controlled board of directors.
When did we lose the ability to communicate with each other in a professional and respectful manner? When did we lose the ability to respect each other’s opinion and then reach for an optimum solution and decision when trying to balance the various needs of our community?
The notice of the board meeting under NRS 116.31083, subsection 5, states that it must include the time and place of the meeting and include a copy of the agenda or the date on which the agenda and the location of copies of the agenda may be conveniently obtained by the owners. The agenda must comply with subsection 4 of NRS 116.3108, which states the agenda must consist of a clear and complete statement of the topics to be considered, including a list describing the items on which action may be taken. In an emergency, action may be taken where an item was not listed on the original agenda.
Many apartment associations have excellent covenants within their lease agreements pertaining to the tenant’s responsibilities pertaining to roaches and mold. You may want to contact the Nevada Apartment Association to assist you In obtaining these forms. These roaches and mold addendums could be sent to your homeowners, who lease their homes that would not only afford some protection to their units but also to the remaining units within each building.
With all due respect, associations do have value. Starting with the fundamental value, associations provide housing. For many associations, their amenities, such as basketball courts, tennis courts, volley ball courts, exercise facilities, swimming pools and spas, recreational rooms for association and private events, (which may have a rental charge) billiards, etc are included in their regular assessments, saving hundreds of dollars as homeowners can skip joining athletic clubs.
An estate sale or estate liquidation is a sale or auction to dispose of substantial portion of the materials owned by a person who is recently deceased or who must dispose of his or her personal property to facilitate a move. These sales are used when someone is in need of a way to sell items due to downsizing, moving, divorce, bankruptcy or death. Often the estate sale is required due to a court decision.