Condominium Bits and Pieces

A few things to think about as winter releases its grip.

If you are a large enough condominium association, say over ten units, you may want to explore as a Board, or with your management company, the possibility of buying oil/propane/gas in bulk. If purchased in advance, usually in the summer months, it locks in a lower price, not just for association property such as a common area room, but for the individual units owners as well. Retailers will give a group discount if they can get a certain number or percentage of owners to agree to purchase the oil or gas through one dealer. Then the Association pays the bill and assesses each owner according to their usage. And the Board has created a terrific cost savings for its owners.

What to do about the odd year when prices go down? You can, each year, buy, for a small amount of money, price protection, so if the price goes up, you pay the locked in price, but if it goes down, you pay the lower price. Usually, this price protection fee is paid by each, individual unit owner, but just as the Association has the power of bulk in buying the oil or gas, it can likely get a bulk price on the price protection fee.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). These are emergency text messages sent through your wireless carrier by government authorities, including local and state public safety agencies such as the FEMA, the FCC, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Weather Service. They include such things as emergency weather alerts, local emergencies requiring evacuations or lockdowns (such as for escaped or otherwise dangerous criminals) Amber Alerts. For information about which mobile devices are WEA-capable and carrier participation, contact your wireless carrier, or visit www.ctia.org/wea. And the service is free.

Create a texting tree for those times when communication channels are disrupted. It can help with information on when power is out; when it is expected to come on; when the snow plow company is on site, and other important information.

Start a (brief) monthly news report. Ask for contributions. If someone is sick, you'd be surprised how many people will end a hand to cook meals, offer travel to appointments, etc. And you'd be surprised how many people are actually without nearby family support

Condominium associations are community associations. Building a community, however, is the most overlooked job of a Board. Set aside some money in the budget for a summer barbecue (perhaps before or after a voluntary grounds clean-up, or a post-Holiday get together). Getting to know neighbors can solve a lot of problems. They are called community associations for a reason.

When there are large projects on the horizon, such as roofing or paving projects, have meetings open to all to discuss the project, pros cons, contractors, timing, costs, etc. It helps with approval and communication is the foundation of a good association

Those condominium associations with a club house can be sitting on a wonderful opportunity to build community and money. Too often, people in community associations do not get toknow their neighbors. Clubhouses help cure that. Most often they are used for Board and Association meetings. But more can be done. Install a pool table. If there is a kitchen, think about having a Kentucky Derby party, a Super Bowl party, a poker or bridge night.

And don't forget, the space is at a premium and can be used for events such as birthday parties, and even family holiday dinners. Kids nights with a movie and pizza cannot only be entertaining, but can also be used to give parents a night out. Have a Halloween costume party with a prize, perhaps one month's free condo fee.

Do a wine tasting. Have a cooking demonstration. Have a comedy night. Give guest lectures from local authors, health and wellness providers, legal seminars for things such as will and estate planning.

Many can be done for free. Others can be with an admission price, generating revenue for the Association, especially if the club house is rented to those outside the community.

Most of all these types of activities, will get neighbors talking to one another, increase interest in the association and can even increase the price of Units.

Thanks to, The Community Hub. New England Condominium, May 2015.