It's hard to believe we are approaching the one-year mark of social distancing and shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, the vaccine is becoming more and readily available across the country. HOA Resources asked two community association law attorneys to answer board members' and HOA residents' questions about residents and the COVID-19 vaccine.

In most associations, the assignment of one or more spaces is for each unit. Boards should use their rule-making authority to adopt parking policies that require owners to park in their assigned areas. That gives the association the power to enforce the rules if an owner violates this provision.

Many association leaders know all too well that conflicts over parking spaces can elicit strong emotional responses. These emotions often result in angry phone or email messages and sometimes result in worse, such as physical altercations to persons or property.

Maintaining a clean parking facility isn't just be a good idea. It should be a requirement. Street sweeping in homeowners associations or condos is not just for aesthetic reasons. It's also good for the environment.

Some condominium or townhome documents contain specific requirements for charging stations, but most don't specifically address the subject. When the documents are silent on the matter, installing a charging station is typically handled as a request to modify the general or limited common elements.

Associations that want to either limit or ban vaping in their community will need to take a careful look at their governing documents. Looking over these documents will determine whether they can do so through either rules and regulations or an amendment to their governing documents.

When it comes to determining who gets to put up what—and when—at homeowners associations, things have the potential to get complicated. Read on for tips about holiday decorations in your HOA.

Suppose residents in your association have been frequent targets of package theft during the pandemic. If this is the case, we have tips to deter thieves and ensure packages are kept safe.

There are good reasons for homeowners associations to obtain multiple bids for contract work. Proposals help the association create a budget for long-range planning and ensure that the board selects the best contractor to complete the required work within the timeframe and contract specifications. Some boards believe they need three bids for every contract, no matter how small or undefined the work's scope. That's not always the right thing to do.

HOA residents may be getting an early start on holiday décor this year. Lights are being strung on homes even earlier as they seek to find some extra joy during the COVID-19 pandemic. As is typical during the holiday season, homeowners should review any seasonal décor guidelines in their community and follow some simple steps to decorate safely.

Thanksgiving typically means family gatherings, festive decorations, and plenty of food. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the country and government officials advise people to stay home to protect themselves, more Americans rethink their holiday plans.

HOAs ask themselves: should an association make accommodations for people with neurological issues like early-onset dementia, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum? What special accommodations or exceptions are available under the Fair Housing Act?

Some homeowner's associations are installing license plate readers, a new method to provide private surveillance. However, it raises questions about privacy, data, and liability. Therefore, Condominium Associates goes into some detail about automated license plate readers and whether they are right for your HOA.

Civility, like chivalry, is becoming extremely rare. Differences of opinion are no longer allowed—either someone agrees with the other person, or both may reject any polite dialogue. Today's society needs healthy ways to manage disagreements and relationships, especially in your community HOAs. Here are some tips to consider regarding the dispute and what it means (or doesn't).

Communities are searching for ways to keep children safe by practicing social distancing on October 31st. Many homeowner associations are turning to alternatives such as trunk-or-treating instead of traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating.

Residents living in homeowners' associations tend to be more civic-minded and engaged with community governance. According to the Foundation's research, 2.4 million residents volunteer to serve on community association governing boards or committees. Read on to learn more.

COVID-19 made a sudden entrance into Americans' daily lives, interrupting normalcy as we once knew it. Here are some easy ways to be a good neighbor through these trying times.

Like any relationship, one built on trust is an important one between an association's board members and its community association management company. It's the primary reason this relationship exists in the first place. A board of directors calls on a management company to help execute the responsibilities it has to its residents. Therefore the way a management company pays its bills can significantly impact the level of trust and overall quality of the relationship—for better or worse.

There has been a recent trend in large jury verdicts related to pool usage, causing significant injuries. For this reason, high excess limits are desirable. Most slips, trips, and falls are preventable, making proactive safety measures is the responsible choice to make. Read on to learn more.

As hurricane season ramps up, residents along the coastal U.S. should be prepared to respond to a natural disaster effectively and efficiently. Residents should brace for strong winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding. Read more on how you can best prevent damage caused by flooding, heavy wind, and other storm issues.