On most occasions, HOAs and condo communities in New Jersey are not—as some would say—party central. Indeed, the wild, frenetic energy found in East Coast urban centers like Philadelphia and New York City is lacking. The generally quiet li…
Most condo/HOA boards are made up of ordinary, well-meaning folks who volunteer for the relatively thankless job of running their association. They donate their time, expertise, and effort to make their community as functional, solvent, an…
It was January 1977 when the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) first identified and isolated a previously unknown strain of bacteria found breeding in the cooling tower of a hotel air conditioning system. The bacteria, subsequently named L…
People aren’t the only life on your association's property; there are plants, trees, and other living landscaping elements, as well. More than just decoration, these features provide the community a vitality and serene pleasure only nature…
Keeping lawns, trees, bushes and flowers healthy is an association goal for nearly all condos and co-ops; notwithstanding, effective landscaping management is essential. Aside from the sun and soil rich in nutrients, the key to remaining “…
New Jersey is only 166 miles long and 65 miles across at its widest point, with less than 8,000 square miles in total land area. Compact as it is, the Garden State nevertheless experiences a full range of seasonal changes in all five of it…
They are the greenery that gives life to our cities, the leafy giants that give us shade and that unforgettable rustling sound just outside our windows late at night. Trees are the unsung heroes of the urban landscape—and with proper plann…
While it's common for buildings and associations of any size to have designated committees in place to help boards and management handle aesthetic, social, and other community concerns, environmentally-friendly committees are a more recent…
After last winter, a concrete walkway in our condo property was completely ruined. Several unit owners contend that the property manager used rock salt instead of the usual calcium chloride. If we can establish that rock salt was indeed use…
Q I live in a small (no pets) condominium in New Jersey. Recently one of the owners acquired an emotional support dog. Unfortunately, I live directly beneath the unit, and I hear barking and jumping almost constantly. The managing agent s…