HOA and Rental Property Management News and Updates
Ashoka Lion Property Management Insights
What Houston Homeowners Should Know
As the temperatures climb, the community pool quickly becomes a go-to destination for cooling off, unwinding, and connecting with neighbors. It’s helpful to know how pool access is handled and the guidelines in place to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all. Homeowners are required to register a phone number through the app to gain pool access. To complete your registration, please follow these steps: Download 'VIZpin SMART' app from the Google Play store or i Tunes App store. Open the app and Register as a new user. Fill in all the details. You will receive an SMS with a security code after the registration is complete. Enter the security code. Enter the location- ID if provided by the Building Manager otherwise Tap continue. Proceed to Login using the phone number and password entered during registration. Tap "Allow" for the permission requests when asked. Tap the grey key to retrieve your VIZpin keys after the Building Manager grants you access. Registration instructions for VIZpin can be found on the document section of the portal. Only 1 access per property is provided. Additional access must be requested using the form HERE. Please remember to follow all posted rules, supervise children at all times, and respect quiet hours and guest limits. Let’s work together to keep the pool area clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. Enjoy your summer and make the most of your community pool—safely and responsibly!
Handling Neighbourhood disputes
Plumbing maintenance by Tenants
Hurricane Preparedness
As summer settles in, it’s time for Homeowners to get ahead of the season with smart home maintenance. The heat and humidity can sneak up quickly, leading to higher energy bills and unexpected repairs if you're not prepared. A little planning now can go a long way in keeping your home cool, efficient, and stress-free all summer long. 1. Optimize Your Air Conditioning System: A clogged or dirty air filter makes your system work harder, using more energy. Replacing your filter every 1-2 months can improve efficiency and reduce your energy bill. Set your thermostat to a temperature that is comfortable but not excessively lower than the outdoor temperature. Extreme differences can lead to higher energy consumption and potentially strain the system. Use a smart thermostat that can help manage the temperature differential more efficiently by adjusting settings based on your schedule, occupancy, and outdoor weather. Maximize comfort and cut costs—click here to discover smart thermostat tips! 2. Improve Home Insulation: Proper insulation and sealing of your home can help reduce the temperature differential between indoor and outdoor environments. Weather stripping helps seal gaps around doors, preventing warm or cool air from escaping and outside air from entering. 3. Enhance Exterior Shade: Consider planting trees or adding shading structures to block direct sunlight and reduce cooling costs. You can also use blackout curtains or window films to minimize indoor heat gain—make sure they fully cover your windows for maximum effectiveness. 4. Stay Informed and Utilize Resources: Follow weather alerts and warnings for extreme heat events. Know where to find Emergency Cooling Centers and utilize it during heat waves. 5. Other Tips: Stay healthy in the heat by drinking plenty of water, eating hydrating foods and balanced meals, and protecting yourself from the sun with light clothing, hats, and sunglasses. Ceiling fans can help circulate air and make it feel cooler. Remember to turn them off when you leave a room. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove heat and humidity. Consider using natural ventilation in the evenings when temperatures drop. Your electricity usage depends entirely on how energy-efficient your home is and your daily habits or lifestyle.
One of the greatest legacies any parent can give a child is a framework for living an enduring healthy lifestyle. It is hard to underestimate the power parents have on their children’s development, which is why parenting is such a profound responsibility. The attitudes and habits formed in childhood can determine your child’s health in his or her adult years. Here are some ideas for parents who are looking to raise healthy children that grow up to be healthy adults: 1. Stick to a Steady Routine Set regular times for meals, schoolwork, play, and bedtime to give your child a sense of stability and help them stay on track. 2. Get Active It may be harder than ever to tear children away from the phone, computer, and TV, but it’s crucial that children engage in active play. Make use of the great weather and explore nearby parks, playgrounds, or trails. Whether it’s a quick game of catch outside or a weekend hike, staying active doesn’t have to be fancy—it just has to be fun! 3. Choose Healthier Foods Modern lives are busy, but try to plan ahead by stocking healthy foods and snacks in the house. You may even want to cook a few meals during the weekend for the week ahead. If you’re looking to improve dieting behaviors, be sure to move slowly with these changes. The less the kids notice, the more effective the transition will likely be. Expose your child to different foods by pairing them with foods he or she already likes. Let your kids pick out healthy snacks at the store. Cooking together is a fun way to teach them about balanced eating. 4. Cut Down Screen Time Set limits on TV and tablet use, especially during school nights. Instead, encourage your kids to read a book, draw, or play a game. Tech-free time helps kids stay focused, creative, and better rested. A shared family space can still be tech-free during certain hours to promote more interaction and creativity. 5. Teach Life Skills Early Give your kids little responsibilities around the house like tidying their room, feeding a pet, or setting the table. These small chores help them feel confident and capable, no matter your home size. 6. Promote Emotional Wellness Kids are tough, but they still need support! Talk to your children about their feelings openly, practice gratitude, and encourage kindness. Make your home a safe place for emotional expression, love and support are the most important foundations. Thirty-four percent of children in Houston (age 12 and over) are currently overweight or obese, according to the Houston Department of Health and Human Services. Good habits should begin early in childhood. It’ll save you (and your adult child) from the difficulties of breaking bad habits later on. Healthy habits grow best with love and consistency. No matter where you live, you can give your kids the tools they need to thrive. Lessons are difficult to teach if the teacher is not practicing what he or she preaches. Be sure to lead by example. Start small, and you’ll see big results!
A budget helps tenants understand their income and expenses, giving them greater control over their finances. Budgeting allows tenants to categorize expenses (utilities, groceries, transportation, etc.), helping them identify areas where they can cut back or save ; enables tenants to set and achieve financial goals, whether it's saving for a future home, paying off debt, or planning a vacation and facilitate consistent payment of bills on time, which in turn improve a tenant's credit score over time. Keeping track of monthly income and expenses ensures that tenants can prioritize rent payments and avoid late fees or eviction. There are several apps that can help tenants stay organized and manage finances better: Mint : This app allows you to track expenses, set budgets, and get insights into your spending habits. You can categorize expenses and see how they stack up against your budget. You Need a Budget ( YNAB ): YNAB focuses on helping users allocate every dollar and prioritize spending. It's great for building a budgeting strategy that suits your needs. Good Budget : A digital envelope budgeting tool, Good Budget allows you to plan your expenses ahead of time. You can create categories for rent, utilities, groceries, and more. Pocket Guard: This app shows how much disposable income you have after accounting for bills, goals, and necessities, making it easy to see what you can spend. Every Dollar : Developed by financial expert Dave Ramsey, this app uses a zero-based budgeting approach, helping you allocate your income to specific categories. Wally : A personal finance app that helps you track your expenses and income while providing insights into your spending patterns. Spendee : This app allows you to create shared wallets, which can be helpful if you’re splitting costs with roommates. It also helps track expenses and budget. Simplifi : A budgeting tool that helps you see all your finances in one place, allowing for better tracking and management of your budget. To choose a Budgeting app: start by defining your goals, such as tracking expenses or managing bills. Look for a user-friendly design and essential features like bill reminders and savings goals. Ensure the app can link to your bank accounts for automatic tracking. Consider your budget, including any subscription fees, and check device compatibility. Choose an app that allows category customization and has strong security measures, like encryption and two-factor authentication. Check for customer support options and read user reviews for insights into others’ experiences. A budget offers tenants a clear understanding of what they can afford, enabling them to make informed decisions about housing, lifestyle, and other financial commitments. By tracking where their money goes and having a financial plan, tenants can reduce anxiety about their finances, resulting in greater peace of mind. Budgeting empowers tenants to manage their finances more effectively and work towards a more stable financial future.
A rapidly growing and diverse real estate market offers significant opportunities for investors but the use of fake IDs , presents a growing risk. Hence Investors have to be vigilant and failure to properly verify tenant and buyer identities can lead to costly and potentially devastating outcomes. Risks of Fake IDs Fraudulent Transactions: Fake IDs can be used for identity theft or fraudulent property transactions, leading to financial loss. Money Laundering: Criminals may use fake IDs to conceal their true identity in illegal real estate transactions, exposing investors to legal risks. Tenant Screening Issues: Fake IDs can result in renting properties to individuals with a history of fraud or criminal activity, increasing the risk of non-payment or property damage. Legal Consequences: Failing to verify identities could result in lawsuits or regulatory fines for landlords or property managers. Reputation Damage: Association with fraudulent tenants or illegal activities can harm a real estate business’s reputation, affecting future deals. Prevention Strategies Implement advanced identity verification systems and background checks to verify tenant identities. Invest in ID scanning systems for accurate identity verification during rental applications. Monitor Financial Transactions by Implementing checks to identify suspicious financial activity, such as money laundering. Perform periodic audits of property transactions and tenant documentation to ensure compliance with regulations. Collaborate with legal and real estate professionals to stay updated on fraud prevention best practices. Train staff to recognize fake IDs : Pay close attention to physical inconsistencies like peeling laminate, blurry text, or an odd texture. Compare the ID’s details with the applicant’s appearance. Be on the lookout for spelling errors or inaccurate information. Check for built-in security features such as holograms, watermarks, and UV images to help verify authenticity. Staying alert and informed is the key to protecting your property and community.
The 89th Texas Legislature is currently reviewing several proposed bills that could significantly influence how Homeowners Associations (HOAs) function. These legislative updates include modifications to various sections of the Texas Property Code, which governs the formation, operation, and management of homeowners associations. Key terms like Homeowners Association refer to private entities that manage neighborhoods and subdivisions, often enforcing aesthetic standards, collecting dues, and maintaining shared spaces. Much of the legislation discussed here falls under Chapter 209 of the Texas Property Code, governing the powers and limitations of Homeowners Association. Several new bills were passed to empower homeowners in areas where they’ve historically had limited recourse. Let’s dive into eight key changes and explore how these proposed reforms could reshape community living throughout Texas. . House Bill 5011 allows homeowners involved in lawsuits against their Homeowners Association to temporarily withhold assessment payments until their case is resolved, easing financial burdens during litigation. House Bill 5225 particularly Section 209.0151, strips Homeowners Association of the authority to control aesthetic elements of home improvements such as color, materials, or types as long as those changes comply with municipal building codes. This effectively removes the Homeowners Association's control over aesthetic decisions that were previously enforced, regardless of safety or legal concerns. House Bill 431 ensures homeowners can install solar roof tiles without interference from the Homeowners Association, supporting Texas' commitment to renewable energy. In light of increasing drought conditions, environmental considerations also shaped laws like HB 359, HB 517, and Senate Bill (SB) 542 , which collectively prevent HOA from sending violations or fining residents for brown lawns or landscaping changes caused by drought. HB 1432 limits an HOA’s ability to prevent homeowners from using drought-resistant landscaping in place of natural turf. HB 2269 prohibits HOAs from requiring homeowners to install living grass or turf. These updates significantly limit HOA's control over yard maintenance while promoting sustainability. HB 294 broadens the scope of personal gardening rights by allowing homeowners to grow fruits, vegetables, and keep up to six domestic fowl or rabbits anywhere on their property including front yards. HB 2013 and SB 141 safeguard homeowners' rights to keep chickens, with SB 141 setting a limit of six birds , reflecting the growing popularity of urban homesteading. HB 1087 and SB 704 demand democratic transparency within Homeowners Associations by requiring special elections to fill board vacancies, even in cases of mid-term resignations. The new legislation represents a dramatic evolution in homeowner rights, signaling a move toward greater personal freedom and reduced HOA influence over private property. These changes offer a more equitable model of property ownership where individuals are encouraged to conserve resources, grow their own food, and install green technologies without excessive red tape. However, the shift comes with challenges. Homeowners must take a more active role in responsibly managing their property, and HOAs will need to modernize their policies, which may involve legal consultations and revised community engagement strategies. To ease the transition, the state could offer standardized training for HOA boards on the new laws, and cities could publish clear guidelines that define how building code compliance will substitute for prior aesthetic enforcement. Ultimately, these reforms create an opportunity for a healthier relationship between HOAs and the communities they serve, one based more on cooperation than control. For homeowners, it’s a long-overdue expansion of rights. For HOAs, it’s a call to evolve from enforcers into facilitators of thriving, sustainable neighborhoods.
