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By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. August 25, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Anyone who has ever taken part in a business transaction with any type of company or corporation has more than likely been faced with  a contract of some sort. Most people know and understand the importance of reading a contract prior to "signing on the dotted line;" however, there are still individuals who will do a quick or cursory reading of a contract and disregard what we commonly refer to as the "fine print." Reading a contract from the first line all the way through to the very end is crucial, and it is especially important for condo board members and managers who often deal with pages and pages of contracts that concern issues that are of great importance to those who have an interest in the condo community.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. June 11, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

The New Jersey Appellate Division, in Port Liberte II Condo Ass'n v. New Liberty Residential Urban Renewal Co., et al., recently released a decision that has been deemed to be a major win for both condo owners and associations alike. The Court found that the defendants, developers and contractors who were not homeowners, could not use the condo association bylaws that were intended to protect the unit owners' interests, to suppress those same interests. The Court also noted that the board's decision to file a lawsuit without taking a vote prior to the start of litigation (as required by the bylaws) can be affirmed retroactively by the members and could not be challenged by the defendants.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. June 4, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

There will come a time when individuals who live in condo communities will need to make certain decisions by way of a vote. But what options do owners have if they are unable to participate during the actual voting process? If necessary and permitted under the Association's governing documents, unit owners and shareholders are allowed to vote on certain matters regarding corporate governance and in board elections by absentee ballot or "proxy". Basically, a proxy is when one person stands in for another individual to cast votes on his or her behalf. More specifically, a proxy is a written statement of an owner or a shareholder that authorizes the holder of the proxy to vote his or her shares and/or common interests at a meeting. Proxies are a very important part of the voting process; however, condo boards do need to be mindful of the legal implications that might arise if proxies are mishandled.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. May 29, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

There are certainly some advantages to living in a condominium as opposed to a private, single-family home. In most cases, individuals who live in condos do not have to concern themselves with yard maintenance or other types of outside maintenance related to the condo unit. This is because most condo owners pay homeowner's association fees that cover such maintenance throughout the community. A specific portion of the fees might be set aside for ongoing landscaping, while a separate portion may be allocated to certain one-time expenses, such as exterior painting. Still, some condo owners often have questions or concerns about what will happen if a repair is needed or an emergency situation arises for which the association's reserve funds are insufficient to cover.

April 2, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

When couples decide to get married, they often promise to love and take care of each other, for better or for worst, for the rest of their lives. But from a legal standpoint, once a couple says, "I do" in the state of New Jersey, what is really expected of those individuals, particularly with respect to the accumulation of household debt that is incurred for "necessaries?" 

By Robert C. Griffin, Esq. March 26, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

All of us have experienced the frustration of attending a seemingly endless meeting.  Generally, the meetings producing this frustration are not those which simply last the longest.  While the business of the Association is being carried forward, frustration is minimized, even though the number of issues is great, or discussions become lengthy.  Frustration is produced by wasting time.  It arises from the inability to perceive steady movement toward a goal.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. March 26, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Amenities of some sort are typically an integral part of a community. Pools, clubhouses and fitness centers are popular amenities that can bring residents together in a social atmosphere. However, those same enjoyable amenities can also be the cause of resident accidents. That said, condo and homeowner's associations throughout New Jersey often look for ways to protect themselves from liability when such accidents occur. In New Jersey, associations have ways to shield themselves from liability, namely through the use of tort immunity and by passing resolutions.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. February 5, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Landlords and home owner associations are often required to deal with unruly or problematic residents. Knowing how to deal with such residents can be helpful when it comes to maintaining the peace within the community and avoiding as many lawsuits as possible. Without a doubt, problem residents can be a headache for the other residents, building managers and board members, and although dealing with such people can be challenging, there are ways to do so fairly and effectively.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. January 29, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

A court decision that was recently released by a Morris County Superior Court Judge has brought to light the need for community associations to be diligent with respect to being aware of and enforcing easements and other deed restrictions. In Unfair Share Lake Arrowhead 2010, Inc. v. Lake Arrowhead Club, Inc., the judge concluded that associations that have deed restrictions that have not been enforced in the past can still enforce them--even if they are over 80 years old.