Letter from the Guest Editor

Summer is sold as a time to relax and enjoy. While owners may be focusing on the fun and sun, for managers it may mean a shift of focus and watching the last few months of the year and starting the process of planning for the next one.

In this issue, we are offering some suggestions on how to plan, how to prioritize, and thoughts on budget season. The authors focused on topics to help get managers through the end of the year, while providing communities with best practices, including on some new issues. VRBO is no longer a new thing, but communities are going to want to learn more about amenity rentals. As the economy shifts into uncertainty, an emerging property-sharing boom may force you to rethink your enforcement priorities.

Managers may not be looking forward to budget season, but our authors have some good news on how to handle assessment increases or work with boards considering borrowing from reserves.

Communities looking at planning new projects are going to want to read more about energy storage and water savings. In times of rising budgets and increased interest in conservation, most boards are going to be seeing requests from owners and from government to take a longer look at energy and water efficiency.

Finally, the end of the declared COVID emergency is forcing boards and managers to reconsider their reliance on video conferences. Learn where the current legislative trends are heading, and find some practical solutions for re-engaging your communities and making board meetings more productive in the post-COVID environment.

As always, this issue is filled with great content from our knowledgeable contributors. Thank them for their contribution, and let us know if there are other topics that deserve our attention. Have a great summer!

Matthew A. Gardner, Esq., is a partner at Richardson | Ober who works with community associations, homeowners and HOA boards of directors to amend governing documents, resolve homeowner/ member disputes, and manage assessment delinquency matters.