Connected Management Blog

  For some, the winter season means holidays, cozy nights by a warm fire and peaceful walks through gently falling snow. But it can also mean blizzards, bone-chilling temperatures and ice build-up that can wreak havoc on a building’s integrity. It’s an inevitable fact of living in the Upper Midwest: winter is coming. The maintenance duties of condo owners often vary across associations, but depending on your agreement, you may be responsible for many of these tasks.  Here are some tips to ensure your home survives the season: Before the worst of the cold weather comes through the area, make sure...

Starting in 2017 all condo associations in Chicago must have recycling services at their building. Failing to have recycling services active by 1/1/17 will expose the association to potential fines from the City. This new requirement is part of the Chicago Recycling Ordinance that was recently passed by the Chicago City Council. The ordinance goes into effect on January 1, 2017, and requires all commercial and multi-unit residential buildings to provide "source-separated, single stream recycling for residents." This simply means that all associations must purchase standard recycling services from a waste management provider. Obviously this is great news for the waste...

When a condo association needs a large amount of cash in a short period of time, a loan may be the only option. This is especially true if the owners cannot afford a large special assessment. Association loans often become necessary as an emergency measure due to deferred maintenance and a lack of proper budgeting. These types of loans use the association's existing and future assessment income as collateral to secure the debt. This means that if the association fails to repay the loan, the bank will go after the association's assessments. Prior to this change to the Illinois Condominium Property...

What can be stored in the common hallways, stairways and other means of egress? According to the law, nothing. Interior landings, hallways and stairs must be completely clear of all items. This includes shoes, shoe racks, planters, pots or other items. The relevant section of the Chicago Municipal Code below relates to new construction: 13-160-070 Obstructions prohibited.For purposes of this section and Section 13-96-135 only: the term “small building” shall mean a residential building that is both less than four stories high and contains fewer than four residential units; and the term “large building” shall mean a residential building that is...

As a management company we are often confronted with issues or disputes between the condo association that we manage and its neighbors. One such example relates to the landscaping of neighboring properties. Specifically, the trees on these properties. If a neighboring property has one or more trees with branches that have grown such that they extend over the property line of your association, you do have the ability to take action. "Air rights" exist such that the legal property lines for your association extend vertically into the air. Due to this, you have the ability to cut back any branches that...