Blog

By Marc Markel and Lisa Gambrell Spring is almost here and in Texas that means higher temperatures and the opening of community pools are right around the corner. Before pool season gets into full swing, property owners associations (POAs) should be reviewing their Pool Management and Maintenance Master Services Agreement (Pool MSA) to ensure thatRead more

On July 2, 2020, Governor Abbott issued statewide order GA-29, setting forth new measures for reducing the spread of COVID-19 (the “Order”). The Order requires all individuals to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth in the following locations, when it is not feasible to maintain 6’ of distance from others who areRead more

Are POAs “commercial entities providing goods and services to the public”? In a number of counties, the answer is yes. Beginning on June 17, 2020, several counties and cities adopted new emergency orders requiring “commercial entities providing goods or services to the public” to adopt a Health and Safety Plan. While the exact language variesRead more

There is concern on the part of every American as to what they should be doing with the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It is no different when it comes to Property Owners Associations (POA). Each distinct type of POA has its own concerns.  For general information about steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19Read more

In recent years, the Board of Directors (“Board”) approval process of fines, deed restriction enforcement actions and collection actions has come under greater scrutiny. We have seen an increase in cases where an owner or, in most cases, the owner’s attorney, wants to see the Board’s meeting minutes that contain an entry showing that theRead more

On January 28, 2020, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) issued an “Assistance Animal Notice” (“Notice”) to provide guidance to housing providers who are presented with a request for an assistance animal as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”).  For those of us who have spent years relying uponRead more

The rise of wireless, affordable security and surveillance cameras and systems (such as the popular Ring and Nest systems) has encouraged many homeowners in communities across the country to install cameras and systems in and around their homes. Combining these cameras and systems with the ability to access the videos from a cell phone orRead more

The arrival of 2020 marks the dawning of a new decade. It also marks the start of our fifth decade serving clients in the community association industry. For 40 years, RMWBH has been representing community managers and community associations in not just their legal needs, but their education needs as well. Our efforts to ensureRead more

The new year is well underway, with the holidays just a fond memory now, and it is back to business as usual. But, before getting too far into the year, it is probably a good idea to examine how things are running in the community. Many managers keep their amenities running smoothly by conducting annualRead more

Recently, I had the opportunity to join Judy Monger and visit Capitol Hill on behalf of Community Associations Institute (CAI) San Antonio to attend CAI National’s Advocacy Summit. The summit was a fast and furious day on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers to advocate on behalf of community associations across the state. For the summit,Read more