Avoid Litigation by Developing & Implementing Proper Architectural Review Policies

It is a common practice in common interest communities that are governed by a homeowners association to have provisions in the association’s governing documents that require approval from the homeowners association for all changes to an owner’s separate interest or the common area. While many associations have an architectural review committee to assist the board of directors in dealing with homeowner requests for architectural modifications, because the board of directors has the ultimate responsibility for dealing with architectural modifications, it is important for the board to have an appropriate policy, applicable standards and clear guidelines in place so that homeowner requests for modifications are properly handled.