As winter comes to an end, associations are beginning to prepare for the warm weather spring and summer will bring. One item on everyone’s preparation list is ensuring the community’s outdoor areas are in tip top shape. We spoke to Aaron Kurdyla, Director of Operations for High Tech Landscapes, who took us through the process.
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As the famous quote says, one thing we can be certain about in life is paying taxes. However, when it comes to the property tax arena, it is possible to reduce the effect this certainty can have on our wallets. Enter the property tax assessment appeals process. This process allows homeowners to appeal the tax assessment that has been placed on their property and potentially lower the amount they have to pay.
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Feature Story
Regulating Holiday Decorations Within Associations
As Halloween approaches, followed by the winter holidays shortly thereafter, associations should ensure that policies regarding holiday decorations are in place for residents to follow. Such rules must be reasonable, and more importantly, legal.
It’s one of everyone’s favorite places in the community – the clubhouse. It’s used by the association for residents to enjoy an afternoon mah-jongg game, cards, community-organized special events and more. These spaces are usually bright and airy, spacious, well-decorated and set up to host events large and small. For this reason, some associations decide to rent their clubhouses out for weddings and other private functions. However, associations need to be aware of the potential liability exposure opened up by doing this. We spoke with Robert Travis of Community Association Underwriters of America (CAU) in Newtown, Pennsylvania, who explained that liability issues are complex when a community clubhouse is rented out to a resident or third-party. He gave us some tips to prevent clubhouse rental engagements from ending on a sour note.
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As winter approaches, associations are beginning to prepare for what the cold weather inevitably brings – snow and ice. For an association, snow and ice accumulation increases the potential for slips and falls occurring throughout a community. Since these slips and falls can lead to injuries and liability claims, associations may wonder what they can do to limit their exposure to such claims.