River House At Bridgewater Place Condominiums residents gather on their balconies every evening to show their support for the first responders. Read the article…………………………
Emphasize support of the community
Q: I’m on the board of directors of our condominium association, and I’m worried about how our association is going to function these days. I personally know quite a few people that are out of work and will likely have difficulty paying their assessments. Do you have any suggestions about how we can get through […]
How can we remove condo board of directors? (MI)
Q: We are trying to remove the present board of directors, but the board members have refused to give us any recognition. They come up with excuses as to why they don’t have to call a special meeting. What do we do? Read the Q&A……………………………..
Wayne Co. judge: My gutted condo has $400K in damage — and no one will pay to fix it (MI)
Water leaks have forced a Wayne County judge and her husband, along with several others, to vacate their top-floor condos in the landmark Detroit high-rise 1300 Lafayette East. Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Hathaway and husband, DeWayne Hayes, a retired Wayne County Sheriff’s employee, own the largest residence in the iconic 30-story building, a condo that […]
Jury tells Grand Rapids to pay more than $7 million for Plaza Towers flood damage (MI)
A jury sided with Plaza Towers over significant damage caused during an historic 2013 flood, ordering Grand Rapids to pay more than $7 million in damages. The jury deliberated for a few hours Friday, Feb. 14 before returning with a verdict just before 8 p.m. It was the culmination of a two-week trial pitting the […]
Blame for damage at Plaza Towers in historic Grand River flood will be left to jurors (MI)
The attorney for Plaza Towers Condominium Association says the city owes millions in damages after a devastating flood along the Grand River in 2013. The association is claiming “inverse condemnation” after Plaza Tower’s riverside parking garage filled with 5 feet of water – 1.6 million gallons. Read the article………………………..
You may need attorney to force annual meeting (MI)
Q: We recently moved to a planned community: single family homes with lawn, landscaping and road maintenance provided. The bylaws require an annual meeting. I’ve been informed this annual meeting has not taken place in the past 10 years. The development is about 90 percent complete. There is an advisory committee but no general meeting. […]
Neighbors take proposed seawall battle to court (MI)
A legal battle is brewing along the lakeshore among a group of neighbors who disagree about a project aimed at protecting some cottages from erosion. The neighbors, who are part of the Dunes Homeowners Association in West Olive, want a judge to block the construction of a rock revetment wall that could protect some homes from […]
Don’t hire members for work on homeowner association projects (MI)
Q: We hired a maintenance person for our homeowners association who was also an owner in our subdivision. We had to terminate him, and he is creating all kinds of problems for us. How do we deal with it? Read the Q&A……………………………
Ensuring pet safety in condominiums
Q: A few of the residents at our condominium association had noticed increased barking from a dog in one of the units. Attempts to knock at the door and check on things or otherwise contact the owner were unsuccessful, and nobody seemed to be coming to take care of the dog. A family member eventually […]
Two trials regarding New Harbor Condos coming up (MI)
The tug-of-war concerning New Harbor Condominiums in Benton Harbor continues, with trials set in two separate, though related, court cases in January and February. The number of people living in the 90-unit former hotel has declined from about 170 when the first case was filed May 10, 2018, to only a handful today. The complex […]
Septic vs. geese debate over elevated E. coli in East Grand Traverse Bay (MI)
Tom Reed, president of the Inwood Harbor homeowners’ association, said it’s true there are a “massive amount of geese” there in the spring each year. He also said it’s true every home is on a septic system, many of which are multiple decades old and could be failing. But the association isn’t going to force […]
Can condo associations create ‘separate but equal’ policies? (MI)
Q: I heard about a recent case where a condo association with many members of the same religion didn’t want men and women seeing each other in swimming suits, so the condo association adopted rules that provided for segregated swimming times for men and women in the community pool. What are your thoughts? Read the […]
New Michigan bill cracks down on fake emotional support animals in rental units
People trying to pass off pets as emotional support animals in order to avoid fees charged by landlords could be guilty of a misdemeanor under a bill that unanimously passed the House Regulatory Reform Committee on Tuesday. Read the article……………………..
Treasurer Seeks Help For Displaced Condo Residents (MI)
Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski and Benton Harbor Interim City Manager Ellis Mitchell are putting out an appeal for help to be found for the residents of the New Harbor Condominium complex on Riverview Drive now that the complex has been condemned. Read the article……………………….
BH Condo Complex Condemned, Help Sought For Residents (MI)
Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski and Benton Harbor Interim City Manager Ellis Mitchell are putting out an appeal for help to be found for the residents of the New Harbor Condominium complex on Riverview Drive now that the complex has been condemned. Read the article………………………
What to do with a resistant condo board
Q: I have an unusual situation in my condo where the same three board members have run the association for years and resist any attempt by anyone to run against them. They talk like they are a “team” and always advocate that the “team” be re-elected. No one is willing to stand up to them, […]
How the homeowners Association stole Christmas as legal threat looms over display (MI)
No one is a bigger fan of the annual dancing light show in Auburn Hills than the people at The Rainbow Connection charity. That’s because each year donations gathered at the light show are enough to make two wishes come true. Read the article……………………….
The deteriorating condition of the New Harbor Condos (MI)
A resident of New Harbor Condominiums in Benton Harbor is breathing easier today thanks to Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski. Read the article………………………..
Housing lawsuit: Family size is a civil right (MI)
A West Michigan family found themselves locked out of a prospective home, told they have too many kids to live there. Now they are suing. The Iacopellis are four kids strong, with two boys and two girls between 1 and 9 years old and another boy coming at the end of February. In April, Matt […]
Builder won’t show us condo documents before closing (MI)
Q: We are in the process of buying a condo from a nationwide builder who refuses to allow us to review the condominium documents before closing. He signed a purchase agreement that acknowledges that we received the documents, but we have not done so. We have complained to the real estate agent representing the developer, […]
Lawsuit claims homeowners association document only allowed ‘Caucasian gentiles’ (MI)
A Berrien County homeowners association is being sued over language used in original state and county documents that stipulated homeowners be “Caucasian gentiles” and “good Christian neighbors.” Read the article…………………………
Algae bloom raises concern for Hillsdale Co. lake (MI)
The Lake Leann Homeowners Association in Hillsdale County recently raised concerns about a white foam and a blueish green sheen on the lake Read the article…………………….
New Buffalo condo complex loses almost 30 ft of sand between deck, lake due to high waves (MI)
A New Buffalo condo complex lost almost 30 feet of sand dune that sits between its deck and the lake. People who live there say this week’s erosion damage is worse than before. When the Army Corps of Engineers built the harbor in the 1970s, residents claim it disrupted the flow of sand. Read the […]
Scouts who care help local homeowners beautify (MI)
A local homeowner’s association reports they are the recipients of the generous hearts and hard-working hands of Boy Scout Troop 106 (out of Kirkridge Presbyterian Church). Lilah Butler, Treasurer of the Hillcrest Homeowners Association said she appreciates their work very much and wanted to see the cub scouts recognized for their ongoing efforts in doing […]
Neighbors fight plan for B&B in subdivision (MI)
The battle over a homeowner’s plan to use his residence as a bed and breakfast took center stage at the Georgetown Township planning commission meeting Wednesday evening. The owner of a home in the 6300 block of Walton Heath Dr. off Port Sheldon Street requested a special use permit from the township so he could […]
No one injured in condo fire in Huron Township (MI)
No one was injured Monday evening when a condo caught fire at Huron Park condominiums near Middle Belt and Van Horn Roads in Huron Township. The cause of the fire remains under investigation Tuesday morning, but it appears that the fire was accidental and no foul play was involved, according to Everette Robbins, director of […]
Elderly Man Killed In Sterling Heights Condo Fire (MI)
A 69-year-old man has died in a fire at a condominium complex in Sterling Heights. Authorities say the fire broke out Wednesday morning at the Victory Circle condos in the area of 17 Mile Rd. and Mound Rd. Assistant Sterling Heights Fire Chief Ed Miller said it was the victim’s neighbors who dialed 911. “Luckily […]
What to do when a condo board member resigns (MI)
Q: Someone resigned from the board of directors of our condo association in the middle of their term, and the other board members just decided to choose a replacement. Can they do that? Seems to me we should have an election. Read the Q&A……………………..
Developer could turn Silver Lake golf course into condos (MI)
After nearly 100 years in business, the current owners say they are closing the Silver Lake Country Club golf course in Cannon Township and selling the carts and maintenance equipment. Now some are wondering what happens next to the golf course and what is the impact on people who live in more than 125 condominiums […]
Leelanau Township treehouse owner accused of violating settlement (MI)
The Shores Homeowners Association (HOA) and Leelanau Township have filed a court order to have a tree house torn down because its owner allegedly violated a settlement agreement inked earlier this year. Read the article……………………………
Doctor facing murder-for-hire charges accused of trying to have attorney suing him killed (MI)
The root of the doctor’s rage, the agents said, was a court judgment he’d lost for nearly $60,000. The case, WXYZ reported, was between Schwarz and the condo association in a lakefront community outside Detroit where the doctor owned a unit. McCulloch represented the condo association. Read the article………………………..
Tenants at New Harbor Condominium complex fed up with living conditions (MI)
Tenants at the New Harbor Condominium complex in Benton Harbor are speaking out about their living conditions. “I just turned 57 and I’m good right now because the Lord still blesses me but I don’t know how much longer I can take it,” New Harbor resident Cordelle Price said. Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad held […]
Crews battle fire at condo in Troy (MI)
Crews are battling a fire at a condo complex in Troy on Monday morning. The fire is at Wattles Creek Condos in the area of Wattles Road and I-75. Multiple emergency vehicles are on the scene. The condo complex was being renovated. One of the units was occupied. View the news report…………………….
Cause of condo fire still under investigation (MI)
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of a fire that caused extensive damage to a six-unit condominium building east of Harbor Springs last week. Firefighters were called to the the condominium building on Hideaway Valley Road in Little Traverse Township at about 4:40 p.m. Wednesday to a report that flames were coming from […]
Grand Haven condo owners may sue association over balcony repairs (MI)
Residents at a condominium association in Grand Haven may sue the board over assessments for balcony repairs they believe are exorbitant and not entirely their responsibility. “I’ll maintain it, I’ll power wash it” Shirlee Batterman, who has lived at the Grand Landing condominiums for two years said. “I’ll do what I have to do, but […]
Brighton condominium owners protest increased association dues (MI)
Through the course of the loan, 112 condo residents will pay approximately $5,800 annually, or $483 a month on average, in additional assessments to pay throughout the year, Davis said. Those amounts differ per resident based on factors such as square footage of a home, what specific amenities each home has, and more. Read the […]
43 Benton Harbor condo units in tax-delinquent auction (MI)
It’s not unusual for a condo or two to go up for auction at the Berrien County delinquent tax sale. It is unusual when 43 condos do, and that’s exactly what’s happening this year. The New Harbor Condos are near the water, with the river and boat slips right across Riverview Drive. But the complex […]
Christian requirement at Northern Michigan resort illegal, federal government says (MI)
The federal government will oversee a Northern Michigan cottagers’ association that had required prospective cottage owners to be practicing Christians. The Bay View Association of the United Methodist Church, an idyllic resort near Petoskey, amended its bylaws last year after membership overwhelmingly rejected the requirement that only church-going Christians could join the association, required for […]
Novi family angry over request to remove Virgin Mary statue (MI)
Every morning, each member of the Samona family stops to pray in front of a small statue of the Virgin Mary that adorns the flower bed in the yard of their Novi home. They pause again in front of the tiny statue when they return home at day’s end. It’s been part of the family’s […]
Judge rules against developer of 100-foot condo project in Traverse City (MI)
A judge has ruled in favor of Traverse City against the developer of a 100-foot tall condo who was suing Traverse City and the City Commission over the project. Read the article……………………….
If Amazon uses drones, can it come to my condo? (MI)
Q: I heard that Amazon recently said that it is going to start deliveries to residences with drones in the near future. What does this mean for people who live in condos? Read the Q&A………………………..
How much should Birmingham regulate enclosed balconies, patios, terraces (MI)
Amidst a growing trend of Birmingham residents enclosing their balconies, patios and terraces, city officials may regulate the practice. The Birmingham City Commission and Planning Board decided in a joint workshop session June 17 that officials will examine a formal review process and/or regulations to potentially govern approval for such structures. Read the article…………………..
When problems arise in your condo’s front yard (MI)
Q: We live in a condo that had a general common element tree in front of our unit that shed very sharp thorns, and research determined the species of the tree to be toxic. The condo association board finally removed the tree, but has refused to replace it. Do we have a basis to demand […]
Luxury condo building in Birmingham has been sitting mostly empty for 2 years
A newly constructed luxury condominium building in downtown Birmingham is sitting mostly empty and in trouble with its bank lenders after failing to sell enough $1.7 million-plus condos. The Forefront, 400 S. Old Woodward Ave., opened nearly two years ago but has sold only two of its 10 residential condos. The three-story building fell into […]
Residents lead charge to install Ann Arbor’s first curbside EV station (MI)
Because it had never been done before, there wasn’t an established city permit process for a curbside EV station. They also needed to convince their condo association to approve the project. Torrella approached the city and the Pittsfield Village board of directors with the idea early last year. His persistence led to a closed meeting […]
What’s the point of a condo association quorum? (MI)
Q: Our condominium association’s bylaws state that a quorum of a majority of the association members is required to hold meetings, but we never reach quorum. We’ve tried to get people to come to the annual meeting, but it’s like pulling teeth. Do we really need to reach quorum in order to have a meeting, […]
Residents of Detroit Suburb Fight Anti-Canvassing Law (MI)
Political activists filed a First Amendment lawsuit Monday challenging “No Canvassing” signs in a Detroit suburb. Michigan Liberation, a nonprofit organization seeking “to end mass incarceration,” and three individual plaintiffs sued the city of Wixom and the Loon Lake Woods Wixom Homeowners’ Association. Read the article……………………
ACLU says Wixom ordinance that allows neighborhoods to ban political canvassers is illegal (MI)
Should a neighborhood association have the right to ban political canvassers? A city ordinance in Wixom allows them to do just that. Now the ACLU has filed a lawsuit saying the city and the neighborhood association are violating canvassers’ rights. “I wasn’t aware of the ordinance. I didn’t know what was going on. I was […]
Residents’ frustration is mounting as Lilley Road bridge remains closed two years later (MI)
When Canton Township’s Lilley Road bridge, located just north Michigan Avenue and one-half mile south of Palmer Road, was abruptly closed due to unsafe conditions in April 2017, neighboring residents were understanding, tolerant and patient, realizing the connector had outlived its serviceable days. A replacement would be constructed in due time, they rationalized. Exactly two […]