Engineering and Economic Impact Studies Find Proposed Fire Sprinkler Mandate for Existing High-Rise Buildings in Philadelphia Costly and Unjustified
New engineering and economic impact studies commissioned by the Pennsylvania Apartment Association (PAA) have found no empirical evidence to support Philadelphia City Council’s proposed change to “The Philadelphia Fire Code” (Bill 220299), requiring automatic fire sprinkler systems in existing high-rise buildings throughout the city. The engineering report, conducted by Thriven Design, Inc., examines the cost […]
Setting and Achieving Professional Goals
by Kara Guerra, SERVPRO Team McCabe What are your professional goals? That can seem like a really loaded question if you haven’t thought about it before. Perhaps you’re like me and have been playing your career by ear. Perhaps you have had a plan all along. Either way, trying to evaluate where you want to […]
Philadelphia Residents: Sign the Letter to City Council Opposing Sprinkler Retrofit Bill
CAI has been monitoring legislation (Bill 220299) in the City of Philadelphia that would require the installation of fire sprinkler systems in all existing high-rise condominium, cooperative and apartment buildings (buildings higher than 75 feet), costing unit owners and renters between $20,000 to $50,000 per unit. Beyond the impact on both market-rate rental housing and […]
CAI Aiding Defense of Manager in PA Real Estate Commission Action
A report of the CAI Pennsylvania Legislative Action Committee As we have reported previously, a community association manager is being prosecuted by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission (the “REC”) for practicing “property management” without a real estate broker’s license. This is extremely important because REC’s argument is that they are empowered to oversee “property management.” […]
Amendment Exempts HOAs from Water Quality Accountability Act
An Amendment to Senate Bill 597, known as the Water Quality Accountability Act, exempting water and wastewater systems owned by planned communities from the legislation was added to the Bill prior to its final passage by the Pennsylvania Senate on June 7, 2022. The Bill now goes to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration […]
High Rise Retrofit Could Cost Millions
Legislation introduced recently in Philadelphia City Council mandating the retrofitting of all high-rise buildings in the City to provide for in-unit fire suppression sprinklers is expected to cost the owners of condominiums and cooperative units millions of dollars in construction costs. City Council Bill #220299, requiring the retrofit installation of Automatic Sprinkler systems in existing […]
Management Companies – Act Now on Real Estate Commission Threat
A report of the CAI Pennsylvania Legislative Action CommitteeEd Hoffman, Esq., CCAL, ChairMarshal Granor, Esq., CCAL, Delegate As we have reported previously, a community association manager is being prosecuted by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission (the “REC”) for practicing “property management” without a real estate broker’s license. This is extremely important because REC’s argument is […]
CAI Urges Suspension of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Temporary Lending Guidelines for Condominiums and Cooperatives
Guidance from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac introduced in late 2021 brings new project requirements for condominiums and housing cooperatives to ensure safety and structural stability following the partial collapse of Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla., last June. However, the short timeframe of implementation and updated lender questionnaires have caught community association boards, managers, attorneys, and document providers by surprise, and they are now seeking to address the new requirements while keeping real estate transactions in their communities moving forward.
Ask the Experts: Fresh Foam
Ever wonder how often a high rise building should clean those trash chutes? Find out in this episode of Ask the Experts, with Michael Vennitti of Fresh Foam.
Escape the Winter and Help the PA LAC this February
Have a great time with your favorite group of friends, family, or co-workers at Expedition Escape—King of Prussia!