A new law is now in effect in New Jersey, which imposes stricter requirements for building inspections and reserve studies. Governor Phil Murphy recently signed S2760 / A4384, effective January 8, 2024. Are you and your community ready for what may be coming? Do you want to know how it will help keep your […]
Read MoreResults
New Jersey Governor Signs S2760/A4384: What It Means for Your Association
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recently signed S2760 / A4384, a new law effective in New Jersey as of January 8, 2024, which includes two major components affecting community associations. The first component concerns building inspections, and the second component pertains to reserve studies. Read below for an overview of these two components and the […]
Read More2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 34 Becker Attorneys
The 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the oldest and most revered peer review publications, recognizes 34 Becker attorneys across the Firm’s practices. Our own Steven B. Lesser, was also recognized as Lawyer of the Year, a distinction based on the highest overall peer feedback for their specialty and location. Lesser […]
Read MoreThe Corporate Transparency Act: What Is It and Does It Apply to Community Associations?
In 2021 Congress passed and the president signed the Corporate Transparency Act or CTA as part of the larger Anti-Money Laundering Act. Under these laws the federal government targets tax fraud, terrorism, and money laundering by requiring US-formed corporations, limited liability companies, and any entity that registers its formation with the state to report certain […]
Read MoreCandid Conversations on Community Association Living
Becker’s Take It To The Board podcast, hosted by shareholder Donna DiMaggio Berger, explores the reality of life in a community association. Among many special guests, nine Becker attorneys from across the firm, have appeared and discussed their area of expertise as it relates to community living. Tune in for these candid discussions which just might […]
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for January 2023
The New Jersey Community Update newsletter is out for January, and this issue covers a range of topics. Shareholder David Dockery delves into everything you need to know about electronic voting for your condo/HOA in New York/New Jersey, and how moving to electronic voting can save your association time and money. Becker’s Community Association Practice […]
Read MoreEpisode 30: Can an Owner Sue the Board if They Disagree With a Capital Improvement?
I am on the Board of my association, and we have just decided to build a new fitness center that will require a five million dollar loan for the capital improvement. The only thing is now an owner in our community has threatened to sue us because they don’t agree with the decision to move […]
Read More2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 33 Becker Attorneys
The 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the oldest and most revered peer review publications, honors 33 Becker attorneys across the Firm’s practices. Two Becker attorneys, Joseph Adams and Sanjay Kurian, were also recognized as Lawyer of the Year, a distinction that comes with the highest overall peer feedback for their […]
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for June 2022
The New Jersey Community Update newsletter is out for June, and this issue covers a range of topics. Shareholder David Dockery delves into the ins-and-outs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s new questionnaire, and — for context — offers an abstract of how these lending giants fit into the landscape of residential mortgages. Becker’s Community […]
Read MoreClient Alert: Special Civil Part Jurisdictional Limit Increased to $20K Effective July 1
Board Members and managers should be pleased to know that the New Jersey Court Rules have been updated which will make litigation against delinquent owners easier and less expensive. On May 11, 2022, the New Jersey Supreme Court approved an increase in the jurisdictional limit for the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special […]
Read MoreConversations on Community Association Living
Becker’s Take It To The Board podcast, hosted by shareholder Donna DiMaggio Berger, explores the reality of life in a community association, what’s really involved in serving on its board, and how to maintain that ever-so-delicate balance of being legally compliant and community spirited. Episodes feature a variety of guests including association leaders, experts, and […]
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for July 2020
Becker’s New Jersey Community Update newsletter features recent news and updates that we think you may find of interest. In July’s Newsletter, We cover all the latest NJ COVID-19 alerts from Department of Health standards for opening Community Association pools, to New Regulations for common interest communities in regards to elections and board meetings. These […]
Read More2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 25 Becker Attorneys
The 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® honors 25 Becker attorneys across the Firm’s practices. Best Lawyers is one of the oldest and most respected peer review publications in the legal profession. Becker congratulates its attorneys on their recognition as among the best and brightest lawyers in the United States. Perry M. Adair, […]
Read MoreCommunity Immunity: Examining COVID-19 Shield Laws with David Ramsey
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Think COVID-19 Shield Laws will safeguard your community association from claims of negligence? Host Donna DiMaggio Berger and featured guest David Ramsey aren’t so sure. This special episode emphasizes that the only real protection against pandemic-related liability is to consistently uphold the highest standard […]
Read MoreWebinar: Don’t Skip the Fine Print: Understanding Vendor Contract Provisions
Has a prospective vendor presented your association with a standard one-size-fits all contract? Before signing on the dotted line, watch the replay of a discussion dedicated to successfully navigating the boilerplate provisions of a commercial contract. We discuss the importance of key contract clauses, why you should think twice before signing a vendor’s typical agreement, […]
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for April 2021
Becker’s New Jersey Community Update newsletter features recent news and updates that we think you may find of interest. In April’s Newsletter, We cover all the latest NJ COVID-19 alerts from Department of Health standards for opening Community Association pools, to New Regulations for common interest communities in regards to elections and board meetings. These […]
Read MoreNew Jersey Legislative Leaders Seek Immunity for Community Associations
The aggressive nature of COVID-19 required extraordinary measures by governing bodies – both at the national level and in every community across America – to slow and/or stop its spread. One of the more controversial actions was dictating the close of community amenities, e.g. the pool, gym, clubhouse, etc., despite the resistance of residents. Many […]
Read More“Membership Distinction,” Common Ground Magazine
A New Jersey bill signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy on Sept. 30 explains which community associations have mandatory – as opposed to voluntary – membership for homeowners when it comes to assessment payments and other aspects of association governance, writes WRNJ. The new statute (S908/A2480) clarifies the 2017 Radburn Law, which defines members […]
Read MoreWebinar: DCA’s New Regulations – How Do We Cope?
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs published new regulations in May of this year that are causing much anxiety and raising many questions. During this webinar, participants will learn about the new election and voting procedures required, as well as how electronic voting is one way to reduce the paperwork and stress. Further, the […]
Read More“New DCA Rules Regarding Benefit Derived and Reserves” – Community Trends Magazine
For decades associations and developers in transition have been plagued by ill-defined concepts embodied in the rules of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) governing the developer’s obligation to pay common expenses for units under development and individually owned “in proportion with the benefit derived by the unit from items included in the […]
Read MoreExercising with Caution | Requirements for Gym Openings in New Jersey
On August 27, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 181 (2020) (the “Order”), setting forth requirements for opening health clubs, as defined by N.J.S.A. 56:8-39, which includes gyms and fitness centers.
Read More19 Becker Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers in America® in 2021 Edition
The 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® honors nineteen Becker attorneys spanning nine practice areas. Best Lawyers is one of the oldest and most respected peer review publications in the legal profession. Becker congratulates its attorneys on their recognition as among the best and brightest lawyers in the United States. The nineteen attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2021 Edition), […]
Read MoreCAI-New Jersey Legislative Action Committee Receives National LAC of the Year Award
The Community Association Institute of New Jersey’s Legislative Action Committee has received the Legislative Action Committee of the Year award. The award recognizes “a state legislative action committee for demonstrated organizational excellence, strong member support, and successfully raising the visibility and effectiveness of CAI.” Becker Shareholder David Ramsey, who also received the CAI’s “Excellence in […]
Read MoreBeckerNorth Newsletter – July 2020
In July’s newsletter, we cover the opening of New Jersey public swimming pools, court orders and elections that are the subject of new regulations for common interest communities, new regulations for community tennis courts, and how an association can handle a forbearance if a homeowner can’t meet their obligations. We also recognize Community Association Shareholder […]
Read MoreWebinar: New Jersey Community Association Regulatory Language Gets Long-Awaited Update
For over 30 years the regulatory language regarding a developer’s formation of the initial budgets for community associations in New Jersey has left a lot to the imagination and has led to endless disputes between association boards and developers during the transition process. After extensive collaboration between a task force comprised of professionals from the […]
Read More