2011 Community Association Outlook is Bright!

In 2010, condominiums and homeowner associations faced a number of significant economic challenges outside their control. Yet, in representing hundreds of condominiums and homeowner associations throughout Ohio, we worked with board members who overcame these challenges, proving that one aspect rings more true than ever: “Community association board members are not paid, not because they are worthless… but because they are priceless!”


Two of the biggest challenges boards tackled were collecting from delinquent owners and safeguarding association funds. In some parts of the country, unpaid assessments have resulted in deferred maintenance and cuts in services. Here, most boards have diligently enacted aggressive collection policies, proposed amendments to fortify provisions in the governing documents, and joined together to introduce “Superlien” legislation, which would protect condominiums from unrecovered losses in a foreclosure. Additionally, board members have taken steps to safeguard the associations’ money and ensure that they and their property managers are covered by the Association’s fidelity insurance.

The next time you see your volunteer condominium board member or property manager, say “Thank You!” Because of their hard work finding creative solutions, your community not only survived 2010, but will thrive in 2011.

Kaman & Cusimano, LLC: we do one thing and do it well: Ohio condominium and homeowner association law.

Super Lien Lives to Fight Another Day

Ohio’s legislative session ends at the end of 2010, and any legislation that is not enacted must be re-introduced in the new legislative session, beginning in 2011. While progress was made, Ohio’s Super Lien legislation was not enacted this year. A community association Super Lien would, in the event of a foreclosure sale, mandate that the association be paid six months of fees prior to all other liens, including the bank’s first mortgages. Due to the importance of this legislation to thousands of Ohio communities, we are seeking to have this legislation re-introduced in 2011. It is our desire to ensure that the 2011 legislation will apply not only to condominiums, but homeowner associations as well. To accomplish this, wide spread support is certainly needed.


With the recent elections over and the new Republican controlled legislature, this effort needs board members who are friends with, or have influence with, Republican State Representatives or State Senators. If you know such a legislator, please contact us at superlien@kamancus.com for more information on how to volunteer and solicit sponsorship and/or support for this much needed legislation.

For the most up to date news and information, please continue watch this blog on our websites: http://www.ohiocondolaw.com/ or http://www.ohiohoalaw.com/