Legal|WSCAI

Preparing Your Community Associations

Jul 1, 2022 | Article, Asphalt & Concrete, Association Boards, Blog, Building & Property Maintenance, Chapter Happenings Sponsor, Common Interest Communities, Community Associations, Condominiums, Electric Vehicle Charging, Exterior, Outbuildings & Structures, HOAs, Maintenance, WA State, WA State Law

THERE ARE MANY laws and regulations in Washington State that community associations should be aware of and prepared to address. Common area safety and electric vehicle charging are two examples that we elaborate on below.

Application of the 10/25/2021 King County Public Health Order to Common Interest Communities

Jan 3, 2022 | Article, Attorneys - General Counsel, Blog, Chapter Happenings Sponsor, Common Interest Communities, Community Associations, COVID-19, Law Updates, Legal, WA State Law

The King County Public Health Officer issued an order on September 16, 2021, effective October 25, 2021. The Local Health Order requires people ages 12 and older to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test result to enter certain establishments and events, including but not limited to restaurants and bars, gyms, indoor recreational events or establishments, and outdoor events with 500 or more people. A question has arisen as to whether the order applies to gyms, restaurants, and meeting rooms within common interest communities. The text of the order is not clear on the scope of its application. It does not make any exception for members-only establishments. It does refer ambiguously in one place to “public” facilities.

Coronavirus Introduces New Legal Considerations for Common-Interest Communities

Apr 21, 2020 | Article, Attorneys - General Counsel, Blog, Common Interest Communities, Community Associations, Condominiums, COVID-19, HOAs, Legal, WA State, WA State Law

The novel coronavirus compelled communities to confront a number of new challenges with legal implications. The overarching challenge has been for an association to figure out its role in a completely new type of environment.

SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program: Coronavirus Relief Act Offers Loans to Management Companies, Others

Apr 6, 2020 | Article, Association & Management Consulting, Association Management, Attorneys - General Counsel, Banking & Lending, Blog, Common Interest Communities, Community Associations, COVID-19, Financial: Money, Banking, Insurance, Legal, Management Companies, Management Company Resources

Management companies and other vendors hit hard by the coronavirus may have some relief headed their way. On Friday, April 3, 2020, the application process opens for the Small Business Administrations’ Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). This $350 billion emergency program is part of the federal government’s $2 trillion federal coronavirus relief package, officially known as the CARES Act.

LAC End of Legislative Session Report 2020

Mar 30, 2020 | Article, Blog, Common Interest Communities, Community Associations, Law Updates, Legal, WA State, WA State Law

Washington’s 2020 Legislative Session ended on March 12. The Washington State Chapter of Community Associations Institute (WSCAI) had a very successful year. The bills described below and outcomes noted are a small snapshot of the hundreds of hours of work by WSCAI’s Legislative Action Committee (LAC) and the Chapter’s professional lobbyists to advance the interests of homeowners living in community associations in Washington State.

Practical Tips for Delinquent Account Reconciliation

Apr 10, 2019 | Accounting, Auditing & Bookkeeping, Article, Attorneys - Governing Documents, Blog, Common Interest Communities, Community Associations, Financial: Money, Banking, Insurance, Insurance, Legal

Anyone who has worked in the community association industry knows that not all owners pay their assessments in a timely manner. Sometimes, boards need the assistance of a lawyer to collect delinquent amounts. But when the file is ready to be closed, what if the amounts recovered by the law firm do not match the management company’s ledger?

Washington State Legislative Update

Apr 16, 2018 | Article, Blog, Common Interest Communities, Community Associations, Law Updates, Legal, WA State, WA State Law

Washington State 2018 Legislative Update: WSCAI’s Legislative Action Committee (LAC) provides a Summary of the 2018 WA State Legislative Session, impacts on community associations, and what to expect in 2019.

Federal Tax Law Changes in 2018 for Community Associations

Apr 5, 2018 | Accounting, Auditing & Bookkeeping, Article, Blog, Common Interest Communities, Community Associations, Financial: Money, Banking, Insurance, Law Updates, Legal

Qualifying residential homeowners and condominium associations have the unique option in Federal taxation to file one of two tax forms. (This discussion does not include nonresidential, timeshare, cooperatives, commercial or exempt associations).

Boundary Issues: Associations and Owners Often Face Problems Involving Damage and Repairs that Straddle or Cross Property Lines

Feb 15, 2018 | Arborists, Article, Attorneys - General Counsel, Attorneys - Individual Homeowner Representation, Blog, Common Interest Communities, Dispute Resolution, Landscape: Yard & Garden, Landscaping & Landscape Maintenance, Legal, Pond & Lake Management

A defining moment in many people’s lives is when they purchase their first home. The promise and potential as a new homeowner feels unlimited. What many don’t realize is that the issues you may face as a homeowner—or indeed as a community association— often cross property boundary lines. This article addresses several boundary issues that owners and associations frequently deal with concerning trees, surface water, fences, party walls, retaining walls and boundary lines in general.

A Checklist For Selling Your Condominium

Apr 26, 2017 | Article, Attorneys - Governing Documents, Banking & Lending, Blog, Condominiums, Financial: Money, Banking, Insurance, Legal

You’ve been reading countless articles in the paper about overwhelming demand for real estate and, after much thought, you have decided to take advantage of the strong seller’s market and sell your condo. While many local media stories suggest that selling anything in today’s market is as easy as snapping your fingers, the purpose of this blog post is to help you with some of the important considerations that, if planned properly, will help to ensure a smooth sale.