Under state law in Washington and Oregon, Condominium and Homeowner Associations have the authority to adopt and amend budgets, and levy and collect assessments from owners for the common expenses. But it can be confusing what happens when an owner does not pay the assessment. This two-part article discusses the personal obligation of the owner to pay the assessment and the lien that is created when the assessment is not paid. Next week will discuss the effects of sales, foreclosures and bankruptcy on both the personal obligation and the lien. read more

It is both eerie and remarkable to observe the smoke blanketing the Duwamish river, Port of Seattle and SoDo. However, the smoke is more than just a curious sight or eye irritant. It is a signal of inconvenience, hardship and even danger for some fellow members of our community, particularly those that live close to impacted areas. read more

As the leaves begin to change and the temperature begins to drop, that can only mean one thing… Fantasy Football is back! Ok, perhaps not the answer you were expecting. It is estimated that more than 59 million people will participate in some form of fantasy football this year. Personally, I look forward to taking the money of my friends and coworkers. Our Seattle office will continue to pick every Seahawk (including the beer vendor and Ciara) long before the experts predict. I'd say it is like taking candy from a baby, but as a parent I know that is not an easy task. read more

With the mercury hitting record highs this week, I look out my office window and dream of jumping into a nice cool pool. As a community association attorney, my brain automatically shifts from recreation to work mode. I recently helped a client update their community pool rules and thought this would be a good opportunity to highlight potential pitfalls for associations attempting to regulate summer time activities. read more

Recently, I bought new mountain bike, after not owning a bike for years. When the bike arrived, I unpacked it, put it together, bolted on the wheels and handlebars, hopped on and just rode off. People often say you never forget how to ride a bike to mean that, once learned, certain skills never go away. Sadly, that same phrase does not apply to many aspects of managing associations. While a manager's skills endure and improve, the facts and issues for each project, and even within the same project, can differ significantly. It's a bit like the difference between knowing how to ride a bike in general and knowing how to operate a specialized piece of equipment like a track bike or downhill mountain bike, yet that analogy even falls a bit short. read more