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November 30, 2015 Posted in Community Association Law Share

By now, many community associations are familiar with websites like AirBNB.com and VRBO.com. These sites, which are open to the public and generally do not require the payment of a fee to browse, allow property owners to post pictures and information about their properties in hopes of securing several weeks’ worth of renters.

November 25, 2015 Posted in Community Association Law Share

As a condominium board, one of the most important duties entrusted to these elected positions is the proper management of funds derived from annual dues. Under the bylaws of your particular association, there likely exists a set of provisions allowing residents the opportunity to inspect the books and records upon reasonable request.

September 29, 2015 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Between Angie’s List, Craig’s List and the fact a Google search of “contractors in New Jersey” yields about 51.5 million results, it can be difficult for even the most diligent community association to make a decision on hiring a skilled team to perform renovations or improvements. For the most part, community associations are best-advised to rely on personal recommendations, word-of-mouth and intuition when hiring the best man for the job.

September 22, 2015 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Believe it or not, it may soon come time for your community association to begin discussing the best ways to properly address and regulate the use of drones within the property by residents, guests and outsiders alike. As a bit of background, drones are currently permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – without approval – if the aircraft weighs under 55 pounds, steers clear of heavily-populated areas (e.g., stadiums), and is to be used purely for non-commercial purposes. Larger or commercial drone use requires a permit from the FAA, which is only available in a limited set of circumstances. 

By Robert C. Griffin, Esq. August 18, 2015 Posted in Community Association Law Share

On August 12, 2015, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided the case of Cuivan Qian v. Toll Brothers, Inc.  This case considered whether community associations that own private sidewalks are required by statute or common law to maintain those sidewalks.

August 12, 2015 Posted in Community Association Law Share

For decades, there has been no shortage of conclusive scientific proof connecting the practice of smoking with widespread health problems. Issues ranging from skin maladies to deadly cancer can be traced to the harmful cocktail of chemicals found in cigarettes, and these afflictions are not limited to the smoker himself. Most recently, the lethal effects of second- and third-hand smoke have become more understood, prompting bars, restaurants, and other publicly-accommodating establishments to ban the practice all together. 

July 16, 2015 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Recently, we reviewed a closely-watched landlord/tenant case under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The case, known as Texas Dept. of Housing & Comm. Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., involved a challenge to the notion of ‘disparate impact’ within the context of residential rental properties – a doctrine in place since the 1960’s Civil Rights movement. 

March 25, 2015 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Security deposits are an important form of insurance that a tenant will pay over to a landlord, for the landlord to hold in trust, at the start of a lease term to ensure that the tenant complies with the terms of the lease agreement. The rules regarding security deposit procedures are governed by state law. New Jersey and New York have different laws concerning the maximum amount that can be accepted as a security deposit, how the payment is held in escrow, and how the security deposit is processed and returned upon the termination of a tenancy. This article gives a general overview on the security deposit laws in the two states.  

March 18, 2015 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

One of the biggest topics in New York landlord/tenant law right now is the ongoing legal and public opinion battle between Airbnb and the City of New York. Many landlords in New York find many of their apartments rented out each day to tourists, business travelers or others on short-term stays, many as short as one (1) night. As New York Councilman Corey Johnson recently expressed in a New York Times article, “No one should have to live in a building or next to someone where the apartment is being used as an illegal hotel, people coming and going, traipsing in and out, no idea who they are.” In addition to the fears of residents and landlords regarding the safety and security of living in or operating a building with transient tenancies, it is also against the law.