Condo & HOA News Items
The government spent years probing allegations that a Dallas HOA created rules to kick poor Black people out and that Texas discriminated against minority residents in Houston after Hurricane Harvey, only to suddenly reverse course under Trump. The findings were stark. In one investigation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development concluded that a Texas state agency had steered $1 billion in disaster mitigation money away from Houston.
Coeur d’Alene HOA hopes to get goats (ID)
When the Meadow Ranch Homeowner’s Association checked in with a few tree service companies about cleaning up a steep, bushy acre of land, each had
When can an American flag be flown upside down in an HOA?
Question: In a recent column, you said that a homeowner association can generally prohibit a homeowner from flying the U.S. flag upside down. Is that
Florida’s Surfside law helps developers as condo owners face large maintenance fees
An influential group of real estate attorneys that advised Florida lawmakers after a residential tower partially collapsed in Surfside saw an opportunity to rein in
HOA, Polk County mother at odds over safety concerns at school bus stop (FL)
A judge has temporarily blocked a Polk County mother from parking her car at the entrance of her subdivision while dropping off and picking up
Homeowner faces big penalty after unknowingly breaking HOA rules
A homeowner says she was worried some of her trees might fall so she took them down, but she didn’t realize she needed approval from
Another lawsuit accuses City of San Diego of negligence, following La Jolla sinkhole (CA)
It's been two years since a sinkhole opened up near a La Jolla condo complex. All of the residents remain displaced. The anniversary comes as
New Dunwoody Homeowners Association president commits to refreshing organization (GA)
The Dunwoody Homeowners Association is undergoing a refresh, starting with its leadership. Tim Brown, a Dunwoody resident since 1998, is taking the reigns as the
Residents at Miami condo protest upcoming assessment (FL)
A group of residents at a Miami condo took to the streets in protest after they found out they were being asked to pay hundreds
Condominium complex ‘uninhabitable’ following large fire caused by stove in Plymouth, Massachusetts
Firefighters in Plymouth battled a fire that broke out at a condominium complex on Tideview Path on Friday. When they arrived at the scene, firefighters
Henderson residents seek solutions after possible $1.3M price tag in water repair costs (NV)
Lumpy roads, crumbling walls and dripping pipes all are the result of a broken water system that has plagued a Henderson neighborhood for decades, residents
Florida’s condo market is in turmoil. What’s next for owners?
Time is up for condo owners across Florida to meet safety guidelines passed in the wake of 2021’s deadly Champlain Towers collapse. Condo associations had
Birds are unwelcome visitors in condo at The Vineyards (DE)
When Katya Blake bought a two-bedroom condo for her parents in 2022, she didn't factor in some unwelcome guests. Since January, four European starlings have
Condo & HOA Informational Articles
Preventing Burnout Among HOA Board Members
Serving on a homeowners’ association (HOA) board is an essential but often demanding role. Board members are responsible for maintaining the community’s financial health, enforcing rules, managing vendors, and addressing homeowner concerns – all on a volunteer basis. Over time, these responsibilities can lead to burnout, causing disengagement, frustration, and
Construction Defects & Legal Risks: What Property Owners and Contractors Need to Know
Construction defects pose significant challenges for property owners, developers, and contractors across the United States, including in Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. These defects can lead to substantial financial losses, legal disputes, and safety concerns. Understanding the common types of construction defects, their legal implications, and strategies for prevention
The Battle Over Black Bears (CA)
A better alternative to storing garbage in garages is the thick steel receptacles known as bear boxes, bolted down in the front yard where refuse collectors can empty them. Remarkably, until 2022, they were forbidden by the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association. An association newsletter explained that Keys lots were
The Role of Title Insurance in Community Associations: Unique Considerations for Buyers
Buying a condominium association unit or property within an HOA comes with unique title considerations. Title insurance plays a vital role in protecting buyers from unforeseen challenges, particularly those specific to community associations. Read the article..................................
Protect Your HOA From Lawsuits
As a concerned leader in your community, you’re happy to have joined your HOA board. Now let’s go deeper into one aspect of your new responsibilities: protecting your HOA and board from HOA lawsuits. It’s a critical concern for any community association, and expand on each point to provide a
Top 10 Ways Community Associations and Board Members Can Increase Homeowner Resale Values
One of the best ways to increase net worth is to invest in real estate. As a result, it is very important that board members of condo association communities keep in mind the best ways to increase the resale value of the homes within the community association. All too often,
How Much Reserves Should an HOA Have?
Determining the appropriate amount of reserves for a homeowners association (HOA) is a critical aspect of effective property management. Reserves, often referred to as reserve funds, are essential for covering future repair and replacement costs of common areas and shared amenities. This post explores the factors influencing reserve requirements, offers
Community Association Considerations
Why you should pay special attention to closing your books this year
I’ve been posting the condo and HOA news for over 20 years now. During the first 6 years, I might have run across 3 or 4 cases of people stealing
Flags, Signs and Displays
Flags, signs and displays have become major areas of contention in condo's and HOA's. Actually they have always been, but with the divisiveness the country is going through now, it's
Industry News
Condo Con on the Coast shares
This isn’t your typical convention, Condo Con on the Coast is
Vitalis Smart Communities Launches to Revolutionize
A group of South Florida entrepreneurs with backgrounds in real estate
FLB Law Secures Summary Judgment for
FLB Law Partner Matthias Sportini obtained summary judgment on behalf of
Legal & Legislative Articles
HOA Board Education Requirements Questioned (FL)
Q: Can you provide an overview of the new law on education requirements for board members of a homeowners’ association? Read the Q&A......................................
What’s Law Got to Do with It? (CO)
The 2025 Colorado Legislative Session is in full swing, folks! And, in what has become the norm, there are a number of pending legislative bills that affect community associations. We are tracking some of the key
New Community Association Legislation Being Considered by Florida Lawmakers
There are several bills and resolutions impacting Florida communities and property owners that our firm’s South Florida community association attorneys are keeping an eye on as they make their way through both chambers of the Florida
Condo Construction Bill Clears Key Hurdle In Colorado Legislature
A bill aimed at reforming the state’s construction defects laws to make way for more condos and a less expensive housing market cleared the House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee in a 12-1 vote on
Colorado legislators consider another round of HOA bills to protect homeowners from foreclosure
The Colorado General Assembly is poised to approve additional protections for homeowners who become indebted to their homeowners associations and risk losing their houses because of unpaid fines, late fees and legal bills. Two bills are
Case Discussions , Enforcing Rules & Regs , Legal & Legislative News , South Dakota Condo & HOA News
State Supreme Court rules homeowners covenants be equally enforced (SD)
In a ruling, the state Supreme Court says homeowners aren’t beholden to local covenants that aren’t meaningfully enforced. This comes after a case from Summerset was appealed all the way to the highest court in South
Op/Ed
Opposing the HOA Ombudsperson Bill (MN)
For the past few years, hearing anything about HOAs in the Minnesota State Legislature was hard to come by. I had a conversation with a state representative at a coffee meeting about a year ago in
Senate Hearing on Ombudsperson for HOAs (MN)
On Friday afternoon, March 21, the Minnesota Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a public hearing on SF1063, which seeks to establish an “ombudsperson” within the Minnesota Department of Commerce, ostensibly to serve as
HOAs vs. the Environment: Why It’s Time to Rethink the American Lawn
Growing up in a suburban neighborhood meant you most likely overheard adults bickering about the HOA at one point or another. My dad would often be irate after his weekly meetings with our HOA, and I
Urge Your Senator to OPPOSE HB 303 – Harmful to Community Associations (MD)
The Maryland CAI Legislative Action Committee (LAC) needs your help! Tell the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to OPPOSE HB 303 Real Property – Regulation of Common Ownership Community Managers. This bill will be heard on Thursday,
Promote Fair Dispute Resolution, OPPOSE SF 1063 (MN)
CAI Minnesota Legislative Action Committee (MN LAC) needs your help! SF 1063 Common interest community ombudsperson creation is being heard by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Friday, March 21, and we need you
Gender equity: Women in community associations are raising awareness
Women in community associations are having a conversation about gender equity in the workplace. They agree that systemic change requires raising awareness of women’s experiences and welcoming the conversation. “We have a responsibility to other women
Canada Condo, Strata & HOA News
Opinion | Condo ruling a useful lesson on taking resident complaints seriously and acting in good faith (ON)
“All 80-year-old unit owner Joshua Frankel wants is a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation is no trifling matter.” With these words in January, Justice R. Lee Akazaki began his 4,400-word ruling on
Condo Smarts: Owners responsible for elderly mom living in condo
Dear Tony: My building is a small strata of 38 units in Penticton. We do not have an age restriction in our bylaws, but most residents are retired and have resided here
Condo complex evacuated after early morning blaze in Copperfield (AB)
A four-story apartment complex was evacuated in southeast Calgary early Friday morning after a blaze broke out on a balcony. When firefighters arrived at the 99 Block of Copperstone Park, they found
Canada Condo, Strata & HOA Articles
CAT Determines Conditions For Service Animal (ON)
In the case of MTCC 993 v. Daniel Zhan, the condominium corporation’s governing documents (Declaration and Rules) prohibited pets. Nevertheless, the CAT held that the owner was entitled to keep his dog
7 Ways to Maximize Your Condominium Corporation Insurance Coverage
As a board member, you know condominium corporation insurance is a necessity. However, you also need to understand the nuances of your policy and whether you’re getting the best rate. With insurance
Electronic Voting for In-Person Condo Owners Meetings (ON)
At a recent in-person owners meeting that I attended, traditional voting methods were used: paper ballots were prepared for the attendees, paper proxies were submitted, and registration delays pushed the start time
International Condo, Strata & HOA News
Philippines: Mabolo fire station uncovers ‘disparities’ in condo’s permits
THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has discovered alleged disparities in fire safety documentation and deficiencies in the electrical system of a condominium in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City. SFO3 Lemuel
Philippines: Former Camp John Hay concession holder backs rights of condominium owners, golf shareholders
CJH DEVELOPMENT Corp. (CJHDevCo) urged the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to respect the rights of condominium unit owners and golf shareholders. “There are about 400 (condo owners), and
Japan: High-rise condos used more as an investment tool than a home
Close to half of buyers of high-rise condominium units in urban areas intend to sell the properties after prices rise, according to a survey by a company operating a real