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By Robert C. Griffin, Esq. March 26, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

All of us have experienced the frustration of attending a seemingly endless meeting.  Generally, the meetings producing this frustration are not those which simply last the longest.  While the business of the Association is being carried forward, frustration is minimized, even though the number of issues is great, or discussions become lengthy.  Frustration is produced by wasting time.  It arises from the inability to perceive steady movement toward a goal.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. March 26, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Amenities of some sort are typically an integral part of a community. Pools, clubhouses and fitness centers are popular amenities that can bring residents together in a social atmosphere. However, those same enjoyable amenities can also be the cause of resident accidents. That said, condo and homeowner's associations throughout New Jersey often look for ways to protect themselves from liability when such accidents occur. In New Jersey, associations have ways to shield themselves from liability, namely through the use of tort immunity and by passing resolutions.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. February 5, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Landlords and home owner associations are often required to deal with unruly or problematic residents. Knowing how to deal with such residents can be helpful when it comes to maintaining the peace within the community and avoiding as many lawsuits as possible. Without a doubt, problem residents can be a headache for the other residents, building managers and board members, and although dealing with such people can be challenging, there are ways to do so fairly and effectively.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. January 29, 2014 Posted in Community Association Law Share

A court decision that was recently released by a Morris County Superior Court Judge has brought to light the need for community associations to be diligent with respect to being aware of and enforcing easements and other deed restrictions. In Unfair Share Lake Arrowhead 2010, Inc. v. Lake Arrowhead Club, Inc., the judge concluded that associations that have deed restrictions that have not been enforced in the past can still enforce them--even if they are over 80 years old.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. December 11, 2013 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Landlords, take note--a recent ruling made by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Darnice Green, et al. v. Morgan Properties, et al. might be opening the door to New Jersey renters pursuing consumer fraud claims against their landlords. Given the ruling, a well-versed New Jersey landlord tenant lawyer is likely to suggest that landlords double and triple check the language of their leases. The case came to the NJ Supreme Court on the defendants' petition for certification of the Appellate Division's ruling which reversed the lower court's decision to dismiss the complaint with prejudice.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. December 3, 2013 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Individuals, both young and old, are having a tough time making ends meet for a variety of reasons. However, the situation might be even more precarious for individuals who are older that live on very limited incomes that may or may not be sufficient to cover their monthly obligations. Many of those older individuals who are facing financial difficulties live in age-restricted communities that often call for the payment of association fees in addition to their required mortgage payments. Homeowner and condo associations typically rely on the payment of such fees to cover things such as ground maintenance and overall community upkeep. However, as just about any New Jersey condo association lawyer knows, struggling individuals quite often decide to focus on paying other bills rather than their association fees. 

October 30, 2013 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Condo owners purchase more than just a living space when they sign their deeds; they also gain access to a community of condo owners, sharing common areas such as pools and lawns, and decisions about maintenance, decoration, and expansion within the community. Condo owners benefit from the influence of a homeowners association in protecting the residents’ shared interests and living spaces. The attorneys at Griffin Alexander, P.C., condominium association lawyers in New Jersey, find that the legal processes and documentation involved in condo ownership and governance are vital to ensuring that both parties are satisfied and protected in their rights.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. October 23, 2013 Posted in Community Association Law Share

Several states in the country, including New Jersey, have super lien laws that affect mortgages and property costs. Condominiums in New Jersey are also subject to these laws, and the attorneys at Griffin Alexander, P.C., condominium association lawyers in New Jersey,  say that understanding the consequences of these liens and the existing state laws can protect condo owners from losing money or filing liens incorrectly, as a result of an unknown or unfulfilled condition of their state’s laws.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. October 16, 2013 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Renters in New Jersey are typically asked to put down first month’s rent when they sign a lease on a new place, as well as a pre-determined amount for a security deposit, in some cases equal to or even more than a month’s rent. Landlords collect these payments as an insurance policy, to hold tenants responsible for the overall condition of the apartment during their rental period. Before entering into a lease agreement, the attorneys at Griffin Alexander, P.C., landlord tenant lawyers in New Jersey, recommend that both parties review the state laws regarding security deposits.