Violations and Enforcement

Upstairs, Downstairs:

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Category: Violations and Enforcement

Strategies for Dealing with Noise Disputes

Noise disputes among owners can be one of the most troublesome problems community associations and their managers face. Not only can they be expensive to resolve, they can cause community unrest and bad feelings. However, if a community association acts quickly and assertively, it may be able to diffuse the dispute, or at least keep the association out of court.

Noise issues often involve a downstairs owner's complaints of noise coming from the unit above. This frequently involves floor coverings, or the lack of them. The typical dispute has a common set of facts. An upstairs unit owner decides to upgrade by removing existing carpeting and installing hardwood or some other hard-surface flooring in its place. This upgrade occurs without application or notice to the architectural control committee. The first time the board becomes aware of the problem is when a complaint is made by the owner of the unit below. The usual complaints include increased noise from the upper unit-walking, voices, music, or television sounds.

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HOA Pet Policy Perspective

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Category: Violations and Enforcement

You think you have animal control problems in your homeowner association? Forget the barking dogs and stray cats! Just look at this notice posted by a Florida HOA:

 Alligator Safety Tips

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Children at Play

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Category: Violations and Enforcement

What would be more delightful or heartwarming than the sights and sounds of laughing and playing in your community? 

Every effort should be made to ensure that the joys of childhood continue in associations, especially with the importance of putting community back into community associations.  From a child's perspective, "kid friendly" means fewer rules and restrictions. From the adult's perspective, it means only implementing and enforcing those rules that are absolutely necessary to protect themselves, the children and association property.

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"Grandfathered" Rules

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Category: Violations and Enforcement

OK, your HOA's changing some rules. But the gall of some owners! They want to be exempt from your new rules, or "grandfathered in." Should you grant their request?

Here, we discuss the pros and cons of creating exceptions for rules, give four examples of when it's smart and not smart to grandfather residents in, and provide tips to ensure the grandfathered rules don't last forever and are enforceable. 

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