HOA News

Association Liabilities — Ignorance is not Bliss

Association Liabilities

So what keeps you up at night? If you are a condo board member or a property manager, it might be that dreaded phone call reporting calamity at the condominium. Whether it is the report of a fire; or a frozen sprinkler leak; or an injury due to a common element failure, the association’s actions….

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How to Hire a Condo Engineer: 4 Steps

hire condo engineer

Make sure you actually need one, too They don’t teach you how to hire an engineer in school. Indeed most folks have never had the occasion to hire an engineer or an architect in their whole life. This is also true for most condominium or HOA board members. So how does a condo board go….

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Is Your Condo Breathing? Why Building Ventilation is Critical

building ventilation and insulation

If your condo board is planning for a re-roofing project, remind the board the project will not be a success without an in-depth consideration being given to the condition of the building ventilation under the roof. Inadequate attic venting will cause ice dams; energy loss; and moisture damage to the roof structure. Too often roof….

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Cam Grant Achieves Reserve Specialist Credential

V. Campbell Grant - Cam Grant, PE, Reserve Specialist

V. Campbell “Cam” Grant, P.E, at Criterium Engineers is a familiar face for many of our clients, especially those who represent Homeowner Associations. We’re pleased to announce that Cam recently achieved the Community Association Institute’s (CAI) Reserve Specialist (RS®) designation. The CAI website notes that this designation is awarded to qualified reserve specialists who, through….

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Weighing New Roofing Decisions

Roofing

Some board members may think roofing decisions are over their heads (forgive the pun). Condominium board members and property managers of urban mid and high-rise buildings often face flat roof maintenance issues and now a new wrinkle in the process of roofing decisions has arisen: black or white. In the recent past most flat roofs….

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Vinyl Siding – or Not

Vinyl Siding Problems

Perhaps you are on the Building Committee which has been charged by your Homeowners Association Board to recommend a replacement siding material for your 35 year old condo. Perhaps you are a property manager whose in-basket is filled with unit owner complaints about vinyl clapboard siding problems in the new condo complex. Whatever the vinyl….

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Find Us at the Maine Condo Expo – September 21

Maine Condo Expo and Forum

As one of our valued homeowner association clients here in Maine, we want to let you know that the annual Maine Condo Expo and Forum is taking place on Saturday, September 21 from 8:00 – 2:30 pm. The New England Chapter of the Community Associations Institute is presenting the event, one of several state-based events….

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Foundation Forensics

Cracks in foundations are by far the most common structural complaint raised in either reserve fund studies or transition studies.  They can occur in the youngest or newest condo building.  As condo documents usually assign the maintenance responsibility of their repair to the association, board members and property managers take them very seriously.  Maine condo….

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Solar Panels — Right For Your HOA?

solar panels - the power of the sun shown through hands shaped a hear

Solar panels may be an option for your community. Legislative incentives are available in states around the country.  There is a growing consensus that climate change is real and its consequences will have significant impact on our quality of life and regional economic future. While the cause of climate change may be debated, its potential….

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Burning Questions & Fire Safety Checklist

Fire Safety checklist - burning match

⇒Go to checklist The words ‘safety or security’ mean different things to members of a condominium or HOA community.  While the board or property manager may be focusing on the common element safety dangers such as the pool or the walkways/ paved surfaces, unit owners’ biggest concern is unit security and household accidents.  In reality,….

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