This edition of Becker’s Community Update highlights remote voting, managing your personnel, and constitutional rights. Don’t miss the 50th anniversary video that showcases Becker’s rich history and culture. Also featured this month is our Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Guide. While we hope to be spared from the worst, it’s crucial that your community association is […]
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The New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lender Questionnaire: To Answer, or Not to Answer, That Is the Question!
The Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) recently issued new temporary requirements as an attempt to mitigate risk in community association loan underwriting. Many other industries within the community association world, such as insurance, have adjusted costs and guidelines in an effort to mitigate risk as […]
Read MoreDavid L. Dockery Promoted to Shareholder
April 3, 2023 – Morristown, NJ — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals throughout the US, announced today that David L. Dockery has been promoted to Shareholder in Becker’s Morristown, New Jersey office. David Ramsey, Chair of Becker’s New Jersey Community Association Practice Group said, “We are pleased to […]
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 MoreDavid Dockery Awarded CAI-NJ Chapter’s “Author of the Year” Award
Becker Community Association Senior Attorney, David L. Dockery, is the recipient of the Community Association Institute-New Jersey Chapter’s “Author of the Year” award. The New Jersey chapter of Community Associations Institute will celebrate excellence in the industry during their Annual Awards Ceremony. David Dockery focuses his practice on the representation of community associations in New […]
Read MoreWebinar: Time to Upgrade Your Board Meetings – Electronic Voting for Community Associations
In this webinar, we cover 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.
Read MoreWebinar: How to Navigate and Respond to the New Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Temporary Guidelines for Condominiums
In reaction to the tragic condo collapse in Florida, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac amended their requirements that have resulted in lender questionnaires to be answered by associations and their managers that are ambiguous and impose potential liability. If the questionnaire is not completed the lender will not approve the loan to a buyer. But […]
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 More“The New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lender Questionnaire: To Answer, or Not to Answer, That is the Question!” – CAI-NJ Community Trends
Prompted by the Champlain Towers Condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) recently issued new temporary requirements as an attempt to mitigate risk in community association loan underwriting. Many other industries within the community association world, such as insurance, have adjusted […]
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 More“VIDEO: ‘Obscene’ Santa Clause,” AssociationHelpNow
Q: Can a board demand alteration or removal of a Santa Clause ornamentation making an obscene gesture? A: In both New York and New Jersey, an Association Board could demand alteration or removal of a Santa Clause ornamentation making an obscene gesture. Best practices for any Association would be to have a reasonable Rule or […]
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 MoreWebinar: COVID-19 Stole the Holidays?
The holidays are a time for celebration and cheer, but, just like everything else, they’ll look a little bit different this year. Join members of our Community Association Practice for a discussion on how boards and managers can safely navigate this holiday season in the midst of a pandemic. Questions include: Should an association hold […]
Read MoreCan Community Association Members Record Board Meetings?
Various states provide a statutory right for members within a Community Association to audio or video record an open meeting of the board, subject to reasonable board regulations. However, in New Jersey, the law neither prohibits nor affirmatively permits owners to record board meetings. It is therefore up to a particular board to determine whether […]
Read MoreWebinar: 2020 Elections and Display of Signs in Community Associations
Watch the replay of this timely webinar that answered frequently asked questions that are front and center during this hotly contested campaign season. It’s easy to misstep if you don’t know New Jersey law. Topics Covered: Can owners in condos and individual homes display political signs? If so, where can those signs be displayed? Are […]
Read More“The Constant Call for Transparency — What is Proper Transparency?,” AssociationHelpNow
Serving on the board of any community association is not for the faint of heart. One of the trickiest challenges is to support a transparent decision-making process while simultaneously maintaining strict confidentiality. “Successful boards, in my opinion, don’t keep anything a secret unless they have to,” Becker Senior Attorney David L. Dockery tells Association Help […]
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 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 MoreOpening the Flood Gates
REQUIREMENTS FOR SWIMMING POOL OPENINGS IN NEW JERSEY EXECUTIVE ORDER 153 and DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STANDARDS On June 9, Governor Murphy announced that public swimming pools, including community association pools, may open on June 22, 2020, provided compliance with all requirements to be set forth by the standards of the New Jersey Department of Health […]
Read MoreNew Regulations for Common Interest Communities Concerning Elections and Board Meetings
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards (DCA) published new regulations under the Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act (PREDFDA) on May 18, 2020. These new regulations are intended to serve as an update to the Radburn Election Law (P.L. 2017, Ch. 106) and will have a significant effect […]
Read MoreTennis Courts – Executive Order 147
On May 18 Governor Murphy’s Executive Order #147 (“EO”) was published. The order, among other matters, permits the opening of private “tennis clubs” subject to compliance with various regulations. Our Community Association Practice Group has reviewed these regulations and it is our opinion that association boards need to take the following into consideration before opening […]
Read MoreWhat Impact Will the Coronavirus Have on Your Community Association’s Ability to Collect Maintenance Fees?
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) hits home, the uncertainty of its far-reaching economic ramifications has left community associations wondering if this crisis will impact their ability to collect monthly maintenance fees. This is a major concern since the collection of maintenance fees is the very lifeblood of a community association. Without an income stream, essential services […]
Read MoreCOVID-19: What Should Community Associations Do
We are in a challenging time. In just a few weeks, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has upended life as we knew it. As a result, all of our communities are wondering what measures they should take to prevent the spread and keep their residents as safe as possible. With confirmed cases growing throughout the country with […]
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for February 2020
Becker’s New Jersey Community Update newsletter features recent news and updates that we think you may find of interest. In February’s Newsletter, Arnold Calabrese writes about how you should update your Community Association Liens now and at the beginning of each fiscal year. Martin C. Cabalar tackles the difficult topic of Certificates of Insurance and […]
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for November 2019
Becker’s New Jersey Community Update newsletter features recent news and updates that we think you may find of interest. In November’s Newsletter, Arnold Calabrese discusses the confusion with the NJ Fire Code Regarding Portable Propane BBQ Grills. Vincenzo M. Mogavero and Sarah Klein co write “Applicability of the Marital Communications Privilege in the Digital Age” […]
Read MoreCAI NJ Conference Expo
Becker’s Arnold J. Calabrese, David L. Dockery, Martin C. Cabalar, Tana Bucca, Matthew Meyers, and Karl T. Meth attended the CAI NJ Conference Expo. Becker hosted conference attendees and managers in Top Golf’s Swing Suite at CAI New Jersey’s preconference networking event as well as had a booth at the expo.
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for September 2019
Becker’s New Jersey Community Update newsletter features recent news and updates that we think you may find of interest. September’s issue includes a spotlight article from Martin Cabalar. David Ramsey and Robert Rabinowitz were both quoted in big publications. Arnold J. Calabrese, Tana Bucca, and Karl Meth attended a wine, whiskey, and cigar tasting event and Becker’s Karl […]
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for June 2019
Becker’s New Jersey Community Update newsletter features recent news and updates that we think you may find of interest. June’s issue includes articles from David Ramsey and Matthew Meyers. Becker’s own Attorney Martin Cabalar, Shareholder David Ramsey, and Shareholder Arnold Calabrese recently took part in leading a CAMICB course and Attorney Karl T. Meth and other CAI-NJ […]
Read MoreNew Jersey Community Association Group Sets Sail with Manager Friends
On June 13th, Becker, together with Mutual of Omaha, Accurate Reconstruction, Morris Engineering, and other sponsors, set sail aboard a Manhattan Elite yacht for a cruise around NYC with our manager guests. The scenic night was filled with skyline views, delicious food, and lively conversation. Guests aboard the yacht were treated to giveaways and prizes […]
Read More“Behind Closed Doors – Executive Session Explained,” AssociationHelpNow
Everyone who lives in a condominium or homeowner association knows that board meetings are no picnic. They can be confusing, loud and even get a little heated. However, some people may not know that the board also meets privately in executive session. Although this may seem secretive, it is necessary to keep the board, and […]
Read MoreBecker Awarded CAI’s Business Partner of the Year Award
Becker is pleased to announce that the firm was recently honored by the New Jersey Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI), winning its “Business Partner of the Year” award. Becker’s New Jersey team accepted the award at CAI’s Annual Awards Dinner on February 28th. The annual awards recognize those who have made significant contributions […]
Read MoreNew Jersey Community Update – December 2018
Becker’s New Jersey Community Update newsletter features recent news and updates that we think you may find of interest. December’s issue includes a spotlight on new Community Association attorney David Dockery, Shareholder Vincenzo Mogavero’s article on Corporate Veil Piercing from the New Jersey Law Journal, and highlights from our most recent event, “Community Association Clubs: […]
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