Residential electrical box, open to reveal circuit breakers inside.

Mandatory Recommendations – Electrical Panels, Trimming Trees, Fire System Inspections…

The insurance renewal is completed, the coverage is procured, and the Board and management let out a collective sigh of relief.    Due to market conditions, many communities are changing carriers. When writing new property, or every few years, carriers will send a Risk Inspector out to view what they are insuring and make sure the building…

Exterior of attractive two-story home in residential neighborhood.

Enforcement of Community Association Laws: Federal, State, Local and Community 

In Community Associations, there is a Best Practice to not enact any rule you cannot enforce. When contemplating rules for community harmony, Boards and management also must contemplate who will enforce the regulation and what penalty will come to the rule breaker.    In October 2023, Maryland Community Associations were required to complete reserve studies and…

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…

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…

Preparing for a Hurricane

Research scientists at Colorado State University recently updated their projections, and are now expecting “above average” tropical cyclone activity during the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season (June 1 – Nov. 30.) ​Many community associations activate an emergency plan as a hurricane approaches. But just how thorough is yours? Download our Hurricane Preparedness Guide to help keep your family safe…

A New Era for Reserve Studies

Recognizing the need for revised guidelines, Community Associations Institute (CAI) released updated Reserve Study Standards in May to provide communities with an improved framework for effective reserve planning. Key changes and benefits offered by the latest standards include a particular emphasis on structural inspections and maintenance. About one year ago, a task force began reviewing existing…