September 20, 2022
We’ve got an election coming up, and even if you’re unable to attend the membership meeting and election, you can still vote by proxy. A proxy is the written authorization that allows one person to appoint another (the proxy holder) to vote on his or her behalf. State law and the association’s governing documents specify… Read more »
July 22, 2022
As the summer heats up, many of you will escape the daily grind and head out on a well-deserved vacation. But before you hit the road, take a few precautions so your home isn’t enticing to thieves or susceptible to fire and other disasters. Not only is having your home vandalized or burnt to the… Read more »
February 6, 2022
Tax season is always a stressful time of the year. One of the questions HOA residents commonly ask is, “Are HOA fees tax deductible?” The answer, though, is not as simple. Are HOA Fees Tax Deductible? A homeowners association runs a community by imposing certain rules, preserving its aesthetics, and maintaining various aspects of the… Read more »
January 5, 2022
Dear Valued Customer, As 2022 approaches, businesses across all markets throughout the US continue to be burdened by extraordinary circumstances nationwide challenging clients, consumers, suppliers, and employees both professionally and personally. The recent fast-spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 has derailed holiday plans, canceled events, and left businesses understaffed across the nation. We are proactively… Read more »
November 9, 2021
The pandemic has presented many challenges for condominium unit owners’ associations, including how meetings can be conducted and making sure all voting and quorum requirements are met. On October 25, 2021, D.C. City Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser enacted new emergency legislation that, in relevant part, amends subsection (f) of Sec. 2. Section 303 of… Read more »
October 22, 2021
The United States Postal Services began changing first-class mail delivery time frames in October. This change may result in payments, parking passes, account statements and other mailed items from our offices taking longer to arrive to you. For fast easy access to your account or to make payments online please visit our website www.blackstoneAM.com on… Read more »
September 15, 2021
Each year you receive a draft of the proposed budget for review and comment. A lot of work goes into preparing the budget. It’s a complex activity that has to start early so the budget can be finalized and approved prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year. Here’s how we do it: The… Read more »
June 3, 2021
Imagine your surprise. You buy a home in a community knowing full well that you’ll become a member of your local homeowners association only to learn that your homeowners association is really a subassociation and you’re bound to follow the rules of a bigger “master” association. If you’re thinking, “I’ve never heard such a thing,”… Read more »
April 30, 2021
If you’re planning construction or home improvement projects on your property or in your unit, remember to follow a few simple steps to ensure you don’t run into problems with neighbors or the association down the road. Before construction begins, please obtain a certificate of liability and workers compensation insurance from your contractor that names… Read more »
March 15, 2021
ACH (Automated Clearing House) is a network used for electronically moving money between bank accounts across the United States. It’s run by an organization called Nacha (previously NACHA – National Automated Clearing House Association), and may also be referred to as the ACH network or ACH scheme. Payment processing via the ACH network has existed since the 1970s. ACH moved… Read more »
January 13, 2021
The 2021 billing season for Community Associations and Homeowner Associations is in full swing. Over the past 90 days, millions of homeowners all over the country have received some sort of communication piece, invoice, or Coupon Book to generate the lifeblood of each association – The Homeowner Assessment. Budgeting and billing has taken up a… Read more »
December 16, 2020
Lower back strain is one of the most common injuries related to shoveling snow. The following measures can help you prevent injuries and keep your back healthy while shoveling: -Before the first snowfall is predicted, make sure you have a proper shovel. The best shovel is one that is light weight, ergonomic and has… Read more »
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