December in the community: lights, tips and closing the year

December brings three community classics that are best thought through in advance.

Decorations in common areas

Can a neighbour put lights up in the entrance hall? As ordinary, temporary use, with common sense and without damaging common elements, tolerance is the norm. If there is disagreement, it is the meeting (or an internal rule) that decides. Spending on community decorations: small, but budgeted or agreed — even €60 causes an argument if it appears out of nowhere.

Tips and gifts

The hamper or tip for the cleaning or caretaking staff is a healthy tradition BUT: with community money, it must be agreed (a resolution at the meeting or a budget line for "gratuities" is enough). The clean alternative: a voluntary whip-round among neighbours — whoever wants to takes part, and the community accounts stay untouched.

Closing the books

Before the 31st it is worth:

• Recording every invoice of the year (the trades hand in December's late: chase them).
• Reviewing outstanding dues and sending a friendly year-end reminder (January is the best month for catching up).
• Leaving the draft year-end accounts ready: the annual meeting in January or February prepares itself if December was left in order.

And the gesture that brings people together most

A year-end message from the chair to everyone: what was done, what was fixed, what is coming. Two paragraphs of transparency are worth more than any lights in the hall.