Condominium boards often consist of volunteers who live in the community. They help oversee the management of the property and the enforcement of community rules for the benefit of everyone who owns a condo.
Those volunteers often have a challenging process ahead, as they may have limited knowledge about real estate law and condominium regulations in New York. If they make mistakes while working on behalf of the community or fail to fulfill their duties, they could experience damage to their relationships with other property owners, legal challenges and even removal from their roles.
Understanding the requirements imposed on condominium boards is important for the protection of the people serving on those boards. Hosting meetings is a standard requirement for condominium boards. Those meetings are subject to certain rules, including the following.
Property owners should receive advance notice
Condominium boards generally have to publish advance notice of all scheduled meetings. They may do so using a physical message board, mailed correspondence or even digital notifications. Consistently providing advance notice to all property owners and retaining records of that notice can help board members prove that they have fulfilled this critical requirement.
All interested parties have a right to attend
Many communities have one or two troublemakers who enjoy stirring the pot. They may start disputes with their neighbors or may question every decision made about the management and development of the condos. While they may take up a lot of time and demand the energy of board members, it is generally inappropriate to exclude people from the public meetings of condominium associations. All interested parties generally have a right to attend the meetings and to speak at those meetings to communicate their wishes, question the actions of board members or draw attention to their concerns.
Digital meetings can be a viable option
One of the ways that condominium boards help ensure compliance with open meeting rules without risking individuals derailing a meeting over their personal complaints is through the use of electronic meeting attendance. Allowing community members to attend a meeting digitally can make it easier to limit the time when they speak and to prevent people from interrupting one another or board members. Digital meetings can also help address concerns about physical access and safety.
Those serving on condominium boards often need help ensuring that they comply with the law while acting in the best interests of the community. Reviewing current board practices with a skilled legal team and learning about the law can be beneficial for those trying to manage a condominium association and plan for the future of the community.