- Community Associations, Landlord & Tenant Law, Legal Updates
- Indiana, Illinois
Condominium, homeowner, and townhome community associations have been uniquely impacted by the spread of the coronavirus (also known as COVID-19).
Below are ten best practices board members, committee members, directors, officers, and property managers should consider in their association operations.
1. Maintain and confirm correct contact (and emergency contact) information for board members, managers, owners, residents, association employees and service providers.
2. Consider installing sanitizer dispensers or making wipes available in common areas.
3. Board member, committee, and other association business related meetings can be postponed or delayed for a reasonable period of time. Another option may be to reduce the frequency of board meetings typically held on a monthly or bimonthly basis.
4. Written and electronic communication methods may be utilized if board members and residents feel uneasy attending face-to-face meetings. For example, video chat and conference calls allow board members to participate in properly noticed, convened, and open board meetings to conduct association business.
5. Limit, postpone, or cancel association social gatherings in common areas to avoid crowding.
6. Package pickup and mailbox access should be staggered to reflect social distancing protocols.
7. Minimize the number of people in laundry facilities, gyms, pool areas, clubhouses, conference rooms, business centers, etc.
8. Communicate with building janitorial staff to ensure common areas are sanitized.
9. Designate areas for carry-out, package, and grocery deliveries.
10. Institute elevator riding limits and encourage all users to wipe down heavily touched surfaces.
News regarding the coronavirus is changing rapidly. Board members and property managers should look to the advice of the CDC and listen to public health officials about preventing the spread of COVID-19. Residents should be encouraged to utilize social-distancing, self-quarantine, and practice good hygiene.
Additionally, community leadership should consult with their legal counsel to ensure they are taking reasonable steps in addressing the evolving phases of this public health crisis while taking proactive measures to avoid potential claims of breach of fiduciary duty.
If KSN can answer any legal questions for or assist your Board, do not hesitate to contact our law firm. Please call 855-537-0500 or visit www.ksnlaw.com.
Since 1983, KSN has been a legal resource for condominium, homeowner, and townhome associations. Additionally, we represent clients in real estate transactions, collections, landlord/tenant issues, and property tax appeals. We represent thousands of clients and community associations throughout the US with offices in several states including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Please note the material contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established by your review or receipt of the information contained in this article. You should not act on the information discussed in this article without first obtaining legal advice from an attorney duly licensed to practice law in your State. While KSN has made every effort to include up-to-date information in this article, the law can change quickly. Accordingly, please understand that information discussed in this article may not yet reflect the most recent legal developments. Material is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date. KSN reserves the right to revise or update the information and statements of law discussed in the article law at any time, without notice, and disclaims any liability for your use of information or statements of law discussed on the article, or the accessibility of the article generally. This article may be considered advertising in some jurisdictions under applicable law/s and/or ethical rules/regulations. © 2020 Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, A Professional Corporation.
