Reserve Studies and Your Community

Community Associations Institute (CAI) released revised guidelines for Reserve Study Standards in May of 2023. The update recommends adding two supplemental reports to reserve studies: A Preventive Maintenance Manual Periodic Structural Inspections These reports would be incredibly helpful to maintain buildings as the Boards and/or Management changes. Maryland, Delaware and Virginia each have reserve study requirements…

Marijuana in the Workplace

Marijuana, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, is classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, indicating it has a high potential for dependency and no accepted medical use. Although isolated components of the raw marijuana plant have recognized medicinal uses, smoking marijuana has not passed the Food and Drug Administration’s rigorous…

Maryland Legislative Update on Condominium Insurance

The 2023 Legislative Session in Annapolis has ended and the Community Association Institute MD-Legislative Action Committee (CAI MD-LAC) screened more than 3,000 bills introduced and tracked 87 that were of interest to the Community Association community. Effective Oct. 1, 2023, Maryland HB98/SB403 allows detached condominium units to obtain property insurance coverage as HOAs, with unit owners…

Watch for These Common Phishing Scams

Phishing is a cyberattack technique that utilizes deceptive emails or other electronic communication to manipulate recipients into sharing sensitive information, clicking on malicious links or opening harmful attachments. Emails are a top delivery method for phishing attempts, but cybercriminals may also use text messages, social media messages, fake or misleading websites, voicemails or even live…

Preventing Third-party Slip, Trip and Fall Claims

BREAKING NEWS: Couple Sues Eataly Boston After Woman Slips on Stray Piece of Prosciutto, Fractures Ankle and Claims ‘Great Pain and Suffering’ Court documents state that medical expenses exceeded $7,500. The couple is seeking damages amounting to $50,000. The lawsuit claims that Eataly was negligent for “failing to ensure that the floor was safe,” not…