For the entire month of July, the Summerwood Condominium Association fined Mashpee resident Kristin DaLomba $10 a day for displaying a Black Lives Matter sign in her front garden, alleging a violation of the association’s regulations. After racking up more than $400 in fines for defiantly displaying the sign, Ms. DaLomba has retained a lawyer […]
Galloway neighbors say HOA targeting Black Lives Matter yard displays (OH)
Refynd Duro says she knew she wanted to take a stance. She’s seen a lot as a nurse working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, and her son is half black. So when she received a sign from her union, the Ohio Nurses Association, she knew the two causes she cared about most […]
Melo’s Aria on the Bay allegedly plagued with construction defects: lawsuit (FL)
Aria on the Bay may be the Melo Group’s signature project near Edgewater and the Arts & Entertainment District, where the developer has built most of its residential buildings in Miami. Designed by Arquitectonica, the 53-story luxury tower features units with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that offer expansive views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami’s skyline. […]
Family of Women Killed in Bluff Collapse Announce Lawsuits Against Encinitas, State, HOA (CA)
The family of the three women who were killed in an Encinitas bluff collapse last year has announced Wednesday lawsuits against the city, state and a homeowner’s association. Read the article……………………………
SC couple fighting neighborhood HOA over Trump flag (SC)
A Fort Mill family is fighting to keep flying their Trump flag outside their home after they say their HOA told them to take it down. “We love our flag and we love our president,” Sarah Martin said. Read the article………………………………
Swifty Creek drainage overflows made lakes (WA)
Residents of the Village at Snohomish condominiums along Ford Avenue, and surrounding homes, have dealt with the flooding of Swifty Creek for decades. In February, the parking lot was nicknamed “Lake Snohomish” by condo residents, according to Marcia Hogan, the president of the Village condominiums. Read the article……………………………….
Macomb family asked to remove ‘Black Lives Matter’ signs after HOA complaint
Aries and Tia Rodgers said they were singled out because of the “Black Lives Matter” signs that they have in their Macomb-area lawn. “This is a real sensitive time to address something as simple as a Black Lives Matter sign,” Aries Rodgers said. The couple received a letter in the mail from the homeowner association that […]
Stuart man accused of using condo association’s credit card information to buy Home Depot gift cards (FL)
A Stuart man was accused of fraudulently using a condo association’s credit card information to buy over $1,200 in gift cards. Donald Francis Keal, 44, of the 4400 block of Southeast Hamilton Lane in Stuart was arrested Thursday on charges of fraudulent use of a credit card and grand theft. Read the article……………………………
Dozens of residents evacuated from Fairfield apartment fire (OH)
Dozens of people are displaced by a Fairfield apartment fire early Tuesday, according to Butler County dispatchers. Police arrived prior to fire crews and evacuated several residents from the first and second floor, dispatchers say. Firefighters evacuated the third floor. Read the article……………………………..
Neighborhood flooding raises questions about who is to blame (WI)
Williams Bay village officials have determined that the village is not responsible for storm-water management issues in Prairie View, leaving the homeowners association to correct flooding issues. Read the article……………………………….
Tropical Storms Marco and Laura: Insurance typically covers some, but not all, damage (LA)
As Tropical Storms Marco and Laura barrel toward Louisiana, you may wonder how well your homeowners or renters insurance will hold up in a natural disaster. The answer largely depends on the disaster. Damage from many calamities are covered by a standard policy, but a handful are not and require separate coverage for protection. Read […]
Fire in Glendale Heights condo complex leaves 2 dead, 1 injured (IL)
Residents were stunned to see flames shooting out of the building; one resident was awakened by his frightened children. “I’m all the way across the pond and it felt like the fire was in my face,” Darius Jones said. “I heard a boom, so I was thinking it was something inside the house that was […]
HOA charges Denver homeowner $1,000 for trimming neighbor’s bushes (CO)
A Denver man thought he was doing his neighborhood a favor by taking on some yard work. His Homeowner’s Association thought differently. In his southwest Denver neighborhood, Curtiss Eckhardt isn’t beating around the bush about the bushes he trimmed. Read the article…………………………..
Walnut Creek resident suffers significant burns in condominium fire (CA)
A resident was hospitalized with significant burn injuries after being rescued from a second floor balcony during a three-alarm fire Sunday morning at a condominium complex in Walnut Creek, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said. Read the article………………………….
Dispute over collapsing backyards along Mossy Oaks neighborhood pond raises long-term questions (LA)
A nearly year-old lawsuit on an Ascension Parish drainage issue has now cleared early attempts to dismiss the litigation before deeper investigation could begin. The lawsuit alleges a floodwater retention pond for the Mossy Oaks neighborhood was built so poorly that it caused the backyards of two homes to partially collapse into the pond. Read […]
Condo may be obligated to give disabled owner closer parking spot (FL)
Q: My mother has lived in and owned a condominium unit for 18 years. The association recently changed her parking spot without her knowledge or consent. Her new parking spot has been moved two spots over. Is it legal to move a parking spot someone has been assigned to for 18 years without their consent […]
Condo World: Best to stay out of neighbor noise disputes (NH)
“Oh, the Noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!” I don’t hate Christmas. Far from it. But the Grinch’s comments would be applicable in almost all condominium associations. Someone, somewhere, at some time, in some condominium unit WILL contact its Board of Directors to complain about noise from a neighbor. Read the article……………………………….
HOA should rethink removing its community gate (NV)
Q: I enjoy reading your column. Our homeowners’ association community installed an automatic gate several years ago. We have a lot of gate repairs because of reckless drivers and normal wear and tear. These costs add up and so does the gate downtime. When a gate is hit, it stops dead in its track. I […]
BLM condo sign flap prompts Jewett City renter’s move (CT)
A local renter is preparing to move out of her Jewett City condominium complex after weeks of disagreement with complex officials over what she says is her overt support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Crystal Allard moved into the Anthony Estates complex off Anthony Street a year ago with her husband and the couple’s […]
Back to school for owners and associations provides opportunity to learn something new about community (VA)
As summer draws to a close, we venture into back-to-school season. Teachers, parents and students begin preparing for the new school year, both virtually and in-person. We often think that school season is only for one of these categories, but it’s also the perfect time for homeowners association board members and homeowners to learn something […]
Board members may not waive portion of their assessments (IL)
Q: We have difficulty in recruiting candidates for the board of our condominium association. To attract candidates, the board would like to either waive some portion of the assessments for board members, or pay board members. Is this permitted? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Snoqualmie Ridge homeowner association tells family to take down Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ-positive signs (WA)
A family in Snoqualmie Ridge says their homeowner association has unfairly targeted their signs that promote equality. Watch the new report………………………………..
Authorities investigating series of fires at Vinings condominiums (GA)
Cobb County authorities are investigating a string of fires that were intentionally set inside a Vinings condominium complex this week, officials said Friday. The three fires, which have all been ruled arson, were set at the Vinings Central Condominums Read the article…………………………….
‘Who knows how much longer it will take?’: Valley Cottage condo owner awaits day he can return home (NY)
It’s been 16 months since a fire destroyed the Mounainview Condominium Complex in Valley Cottage and residents still don’t know when they will be able to return. The 16 people who were displaced by the fire have had to pay mortgage and maintenance fees even though they are still not living in the building. Read […]
Questions linger after Flying Heart ruling (ID)
Though a judge granted the public the right to access the Big Wood River using a road easement in a north-Hailey subdivision earlier this month, several “No Parking” signs put up by local homeowners—and the question of their legality—remain. Read the article…………………………
Condo Q&A: Should Monthly Fees Drop If Amenities Are Closed? (FL)
Question: Our HOA board has decided to change the trim color of all 108 homes. The buildings are off white, and the trim has been a variation of light blue since they were built in 1990. They now want to paint turquoise, peach, yellow, lime green or gray. The CC&R’s state the HOA maintains the […]
These River North condo owners couldn’t be deconverted (IL)
It would have been the biggest condo deconversion in Chicago history. But in the end, enough owners of the 467-unit River North tower balked at the planned $188 million bulk sale, and it was rejected in a Tuesday night vote, according to Crain’s. That followed an appellate court decision earlier in the day, which refused […]
Ask a real estate pro: How can I make the condo association repair a common area? (FL)
Q: The condo’s balcony has loose and missing tiles that are getting worse. I want to repair it myself, but the building manager told me I was not allowed to because it is part of the common area. However, the condo is not fixing it. What should I do? Read the Q&A……………………………..
No quick fix for Bluff Road (MI)
Mike Skurski, Mission Hills Homeowners Association president and Bluff Road property owner, blamed the road commission for letting the erosion get so bad. The HOA’s beach access off Bluff Road is impacted by the closure and the group paid $20,000 for a fix last summer. Skurski accused the road commission of missing several chances to […]
National Resources principals accused of building defective Sleepy Hollow condominium (NY)
For the third time in four years, a homeowners’ association has sued officials of Greenwich-based National Resources for allegedly building a defective condominium. The board of managers of The River House at Sleepy Hollow Condominium is demanding $7 million from Joseph Cotter and Lynne Ward, in a lawsuit filed Aug. 12 in Westchester Supreme Court. Read […]
Signs, signs everywhere a sign – Every election cycle brings more placards in Sun Cities (AZ)
The Aug. 4 Arizona primary election wrapped, but the Nov. 3 election is around the corner and some residents in both Sun City and Sun City West have political signage displayed in yards and on public streets. Read the article……………………………….
What does it mean when a condo association want us to vote on whether or not to waive the reserves (FL)
Q: My condo association just passed this year’s budget and we received a notice that they want us to vote on whether or not to “waive the reserves.” Could you explain exactly what the reserves are for, what waiving them means, and the consequences for voting either to waive or not waive them? Read […]
Roadmaps for Wildfire Mitigation Provide Guidance for Suburban Neighborhoods
New wildfire guidelines from an insurance industry home safety organization offer guidance for adapting suburban communities to the growing threat of wildfire. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) said its Suburban Wildfire Adaptation Roadmaps offer a detailed examination of wildfire vulnerabilities and specific solutions that can limit the catastrophic reach of wildfire […]
Barefoot Resort HOA files lawsuit over ‘design and construction defects’ (SC)
The construction of a new beach cabana for Barefoot Resort and Golf has encountered a hurdle after it was discovered the wrong building materials were used for the oceanfront amenity center located in North Myrtle Beach. In a lawsuit filed by the Barefoot Resort Residential Owners Association on Aug. 11 in the Court of Common […]
North Myrtle Beach passes new tow truck rules despite resident opposition, workshop to come (SC)
“You’re talking about a registered agent or owner having to call the police themselves and waiting for the police officer to get there,” said Pam Stanley, HOA manager for Pierwatch Villas in Cherry Grove. “There is no way for us doing that without hiring security, which we can’t really afford to do, honestly. Rents are […]
Both sides in Carmen Court landmark fight detail failed attempts at compromise (CO)
The two sides battling over the future of Carmen Court on Tuesday detailed their failed efforts to find a compromise during their first appearance before the Denver City Council. Chris Crawford, managing director of Hines — the Houston-based developer under contract to buy the condo complex at 900 E. 1st Ave. — said the company […]
El Cajon woman battles HOA to get her condo fixed (CA)
An El Cajon police chase in March ended with a car plowing into a condo on North Mollison Avenue. Five months later, the owner of the condo is still battling with the homeowner’s association to get the damage fixed. Read the article………………………………
Two-Alarm Fire Breaks Out At Condo Complex In Westchester (NY)
Four families were displaced from a Westchester condominium complex when a two-alarm fire broke out overnight, leaving the building with extensive damage. Read the article……………………………….
A red diamond in a driveway? West Boynton homeowner, HOA in bitter 3-year lawsuit battle (FL)
For more than three years, the Equus HOA in suburban Boynton Beach has been trying to get Barry Rosenthal, a former member of the HOA, to remove the diamond because it is ‘not a good fit’ for Equus. Read the article…………………………….
HOA asks woman to remove flag supporting police (UT)
Last weekend, Aimee Peterson received a letter from her homeowner’s association with a “kind request” — that she remove her Thin Blue Line flag supporting police from her front porch. “It’s convenient that they chose now to enforce it, when we’ve flown this for years and years,” said Peterson. Read the article……………………………..
HOA sues Elkhorn homeowner for unapproved roof color (NE)
It’s not unusual to see crews replacing bad roofs in metro area neighborhoods. But this week good shingles will be torn off an elkhorn home. A roof just two years old that tom ross is forced to replace after a storm of controversy. Tom Ross, a homeowner said, “A board member that lived across the […]
North Port HOA shoots down gun safety class (FL)
Aside from stockpiling beans and sanitizer, Americans have racked up record gun and ammunition sales in the coronavirus era. In fact, more than 2 million of us became first-time gun owners through July, according to federal agencies documenting such data. Chaos, imagined or real, was driving firearms’ sales, experts insisted. Possible gun restrictions years ago […]
State laws regulate posting of political signs in communities (NV)
Q: I live in a homeowners association-controlled condo community. Is there a state legal standing on displaying political signs? The management company for our HOA has told me I cannot display any. Read the Q&A………………………
Virginia veteran wins fight with homeowners’ association over flying American flag
A Marine veteran ended up in the middle of a battle he did not expect to be fighting in Virginia: a battle to fly the U.S. flag. Richard Jenkins’ homeowners’ association (HOA) initially wanted him to not only take down his 20-foot flagpole, but the American flag along with it. Read the article…………………………..
HOA restrictions on commercial vehicles difficult to enforce without clear definitions (FL)
Q: Our HOA declaration states that “no commercial vehicles, except those present on business, shall be parked on any part of The Properties. No trailers, boats, campers, trucks, mobile homes, motorized recreational vehicles or motorcycles may be parked in The Properties unless parked inside a garage or parked on the lot in a location that […]
Rock Hill neighborhood discovers racist bylaw, comes together to remove it (SC)
A movement to change a racist bylaw in a homeowners association in Rock Hill is still going on. The change is bringing the Rock Hill neighborhood, Fewell Estates, closer together. Read the article……………………………
Three Hundred Collins allegedly marred by cheap materials, unpaid contractors and duped investors: lawsuit (FL)
Three Hundred Collins in Miami Beach’s South-of-Fifth neighborhood is besieged with poor quality interiors, debts to contractors and an unresponsive developer, among other problems, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Read the article…………………………..
HOA will allow Colorado police chaplain to fly ‘Thin Blue Line’ flag
A Colorado police chaplain is now allowed to fly a “Thin Blue Line” flag in front of his house after his homeowners association said it was in the wrong for demanding he take it down. Read the article…………………………….
Consumer Advocate For State Attorney General’s Office Files Complaint Against Jasper Highlands Development Over Water System (TN)
The Consumer Advocate of the state Attorney General’s Office has filed a complaint against the Jasper Highlands development on Jasper Mountain, saying the group is operating a water system without obtaining a state certificate. Read the article…………………………..
HOA Homefront: Can communities ban political, patriotic or religious displays? (CA)
Q: We (along with our neighbors) put out candidate and ballot measure signs prior to our elections. We looked into this several years ago and it appears that California law allows all HOA residents to display political signs during elections. However, friends who live in other San Diego County HOAs have told me repeatedly that […]