There is only one way out of the Golden Bear neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe, and as the flames of the Caldor fire crept closer on Monday that could easily have turned into a catastrophe. But as the fire bore down on the neighborhood, a cluster of a couple of hundred homes tucked into the […]
Olde Gold Cup residents frustrated by Warrenton stormwater fees process (VA)
A meeting last week to provide information to Town of Warrenton residents on their stormwater utility fees turned contentious, with homeowners demanding more clarity and a simpler process. By meeting’s end, Assistant Public Works Director Paul Bernard had acknowledged fee-calculation mistakes, pledged to get out more information, and said he would take a look at […]
Ask the HOA Expert: Proxies Are Not Appropriate For Board Meetings
Question: Our board dealt with a contentious issue recently. When it came time to vote, one of the directors pulled out a proxy from an absent director authorizing her to vote on his behalf. Is that proper? Read the Q&A’s…………………………………
Area Residents Collaborate To Stave Off Creek Erosion (NY)
In a quiet culdesac off Route 430 in the town of Ellery, a creek that sometimes turns into what seems like a wild river has been eroding sediments and quickly depositing them into Chautauqua Lake. While a passerby wouldn’t know it, the residents on and around Sunset Bay Road are well aware — and have […]
“I need the work done…” SA amputee fights HOA to continue ‘warranty work’ (TX)
A shocking letter to stop some much-needed repair work has a Fox San Antonio viewer asking, why? Cary McMorris says his homeowner’s association mistakenly categorized warranty work on his driveway as unauthorized home improvement. Read the entire article……………………………….
What to know about Massachusetts General Law Chapter 183A — the condominium law
Being a homeowner can get complicated — especially when you’re in it together with your neighbors. Condominium owners are likely well accustomed to the specific laws and regulations in Massachusetts that manage everything from ownership percentages to collective liability, many of them summarized in state General Law Chapter 183A. Read the entire article……………………………….
Ask Mary: How Can Boards Get Owners to Pony Up?
Dear Mary: Our board has a hard time convincing owners to spend money. Even when we present a good case, we can’t seem to get approval. We’re missing out on fixes that could prevent future costs and on improvements that could benefit everyone. What are we doing wrong? Read the entire article……………………………….
Macomb develops new approach to subdivision road improvements (MI)
Macomb Township residents living in the Chelsea Park subdivision near 22 Mile Road could see a solution to their crumbling roadways due to recent action by the Macomb Township Board of Trustees. Read the entire article……………………………….
What to know about homeowners associations in Boston (MA)
Owning a condo is not the same as opting for a single-family home. That’s one of the first things to understand if you’re on the hunt for a place to call your own that is part of a homeowners association (HOA), local industry experts told Boston.com. Read the entire article……………………………….
Designed to fail: How Florida’s lack of condo board oversight could mean another Surfside
USA Today report on buildings built before 1981. Read the entire article……………………………….
After another sinking reports, building inspections dep’t checks Millennium Tower (CA)
On Friday, city inspectors went down the Millennium Tower to carry out an inspection in the sinking building following a halt in the $100-million construction work to address the stability concerns. A team of building, electrical and plumbing inspectors has taken a close look at the 60-story luxury residential skyscraper. Read the entire article……………………………….
Camas threatened with lawsuit over lake (WA)
City leaders say they have temporarily halted the committee’s activities after receiving notice last week that someone intends to sue the city, as well as the Lacamas Shores Homeowners Association over what he contends is a failure to maintain a biofilter on the shores of Lacamas Lake. Read the entire article……………………………….
Lightning May Have Caused Structure Fire at Shoregate Condominiums in South Amboy Friday (NJ)
Several units at the Shoregate Condominiums in South Amboy sustained damage from a structure fire around 6:30 p.m. Friday. While on routine patrol, Officer Marvin Duesen observed smoke emanating from the roof line at the Shoregate condominiums Read the entire article……………………………….
Real estate Q&A: How do we correct the size of our condo in association’s documents? (FL)
Q: In our condo, all the units have two bedrooms, but some are slightly larger and pay $40 more in monthly maintenance. Ours is one of the smaller units but is listed in the condo documents as a larger one. We have been paying the lesser amount, and the association has cashed the checks while […]
Association may force owners to submit complaints by certified mail (FL)
Q: We live in a community with 600 units, spread across a total of five buildings. There is a master association for the entire community. In the past, if we had a complaint, we would write to the master association and drop it in their mailbox located outside the office. Now, the master association is demanding […]
Condo association buys unit in foreclosure (IL)
Q: Our condominium association purchased a unit in the association that was in foreclosure. Is the unit now part of the common elements? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Key Biscayne condo recertification process essentially on target in wake of Surfside disaster (FL)
It didn’t take a tragedy like the one in Surfside for some condominium or apartment owners to take proactive steps when it comes to safety. Read the entire article……………………………….Take, for instance, the Oceansound structure on Key Biscayne, the largest condominium property within Key Colony on the southern fringe of the island.
Condo Q&A (FL)
Q: I have several questions about the fining/suspension committee hearing. 1. May the owner who appears before a hearing committee (provided in Florida Statutes 718 (Condo), 719 (Co-Op) and 720 (Homeowners Association – HOA) bring a witness or their attorney to the hearing? Read the Q&A………………………………….
Armed security guards will drive HOA insurance up (NV)
Q: Our homeowners association has a few community owners who think armed guard security would be a good thing. We have no crime problem. Our current master policy and related umbrella coverages has an annual premium of $98,703. Read the Q&A……………………………………
Federal agency announces expert team to investigate Surfside condo collapse
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on Wednesday announced that it has established a team of experts to investigate the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium building. Read the entire article……………………………….
Some residents of senior living community fear mask rules not strict enough (CA)
Some residents of a senior living community fear its current clubhouse rules on face coverings aren’t safe enough for its higher-risk population. Ocean Hills Country Club resident Jody Gorran was dismayed to hear that his homeowners’ association board had decided to not make universal mask-wearing required inside of its community clubhouse and other facilities in […]
A dam shame: Cortlandt officials and homeowners spar over failing water barrier (NY)
The Westchester County town of Cortlandt has a proposal to end a decades-long battle with homeowners over Wallace Pond, but whether those homeowners will accept the deal is another question. Read the entire article……………………………….
Rossmoor disappointed in waste hauler contract, services (CA)
Mendoza said some Rossmoor residents have expressed concern over missing regular trash pickup in periods of weeks, yet Rossmoor has no power to enforce performance under the contract. That’s because Rossmoor is not an incorporated municipality, so the Special District that includes Rossmoor is literally forced to accept whatever waste provider selected for them by […]
Dispute in Downtown’s Gateway Towers divides condo residents (PA)
The infighting over proposed infrastructure costs is being likened to the tension within the Surfside condo that collapsed in July. Read the entire article……………………………….
Utah lawmaker pushes HOA in Cottonwood Heights to cut back on watering
A state legislator said she’s tried everything to get the HOA in her area of Cottonwood Heights to cut back on watering, but every attempt has been ignored. Gay Lynn Bennion walks Hollow Mill Road every morning with her husband. She likes the exercise, but in early June she noticed something that really bothered her […]
San Francisco’s Millennium Tower fix halted after further sinking observed (CA)
The major construction fix to stop San Francisco’s beleaguered Millennium Tower from sinking further into the earth has been halted after the building suddenly sunk another inch within a few weeks, as first reported by NBC Bay Area. Read the entire article……………………………….
‘They Were Bullies’: Inside the Turbulent Origins of the Collapsed Florida Condo
The team that developed Champlain Towers managed to build the condos despite checkered pasts, internal strife and a last-minute change that infuriated leaders in Surfside, Fla. Read the entire article……………………………….
Course owners want to enter Club West lawsuit (AZ)
As a judge neared a final ruling in the Club West Conservancy’s lawsuit against the Foothills Club West Association Board of Directors last Thursday, the owners of the beleaguered golf course asked to intervene in the case and charged the two parties of “colluding” to interfere with its property rights. Read the entire article……………………………….
Homeowners association files lawsuit against county (OK)
Homeowners forced to navigate streets pocked with potholes that could swallow small cars and bridges school bus drivers won’t cross turned to the courts as a last-ditch effort to find relief. The Hilldale South Homeowners Association filed a lawsuit against Muskogee County Board of Commissioners and Tri-City Development, asking the court to declare the roads […]
Residents frustrated with city’s potential Dunwoody Village rezoning deal (GA)
Brian Daughdrill, an attorney representing the Dunwoody Homeowners Association, said there are documents that allude to an agreement and mention various existing buffers. However, he said that’s a moot point, since the City Council could create its own precedent by enforcing a 150-buffer now. Read the entire article……………………………….
‘Dangerous’ seawalls? Naples sues property owners, turns out, City owns them (FL)
Over the last three years, hundreds of thousands of tax dollars were spent by the City of Naples to sue property owners along seawalls they said were in disrepair. As it turns out, the City owned the seawalls all along and they ultimately settled. It’s all about a question that dates back to roughly 2012, […]
Tierra Verde residents want county and city to help pay cost of dredging (FL)
Residents of a Pinellas County community say they shouldn’t have to foot the entire multi-million dollar bill to keep their canal from drying up, so ABC Action News wanted to find out what’s behind the water worries along a popular boating waterway. Read the entire article……………………………….
Free food pantry in American Canyon runs afoul of homeowner association rules (CA)
“No one should ever go to bed hungry,” said the American Canyon resident, who lives at 489 Canyon Creek Drive. “If we can help out, then we have achieved that goal.” But there’s just one hiccup, and it’s called an HOA. Zuniga rents her home in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association (HOA). And that […]
Castle Rock neighborhood debates merits and skepticism around license plate readers (CO)
A neighborhood homeowner’s association is considering taking a new approach to an increase in crime in Castle Rock, which has sparked debate in the community. Read the entire article……………………………….
Woman fights to have ham radio operations banned after potential interference with insulin pump (FL)
A Marion County woman is taking on her neighborhood association, in a matter she said puts her health at risk. Michelle Smith, a Type 1 Diabetic, and a consultant determined that her neighbor’s ham radio hobby might have interfered with the doses of insulin being pushed out from her pump. Read the entire article……………………………….
Homeowners complain HOA won’t cut weeds that cause bug and snake problems (AL)
When you live in Alabama snakes and bugs are just a fact of life. But in one Chelsea community, property owners say the situation is so bad it’s become a health hazard. They contacted the I-Team’s Cynthia Gould after they say they couldn’t get help from their homeowners association. Read the entire article……………………………….
Rock Springs Ridge and the Tale of Two Towers (FL)
It started out as the feel-good story of the summer. It quickly changed into a plot-twisting Shakesperean drama with unexpected turns around every corner. Now, it has landed into the genre of JRR Tolkien. Today’s feature presentation: Rock Springs Ridge and the Tale of Two Towers. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOAs flex muscles on short-term rentals (AZ)
Short-term rentals have been a hot topic in the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona since Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed Senate Bill 1350 in 2016. The legislation prohibited cities, towns and counties from banning short-term rentals of residential property in 2016. Read the entire article……………………………….
The misplaced reservation about reserves (NH)
I have written in the past about the need for properly funded reserve accounts. But what happens if a board of directors doesn’t properly fund the reserves, and later tries to make up for the shortfall by specially assessing owners? Read the entire article……………………………….
Board, rather than membership, makes business decisions for Association (FL)
Q: Our small gated community is overrun with toxic bufo frogs. After several homeowners got together and researched how to rid the community of this problem a solution was found with a licensed removal company. The board president was asked to put issue on the agenda for our annual meeting for a vote. He refused. Read […]
HOA Homefront: Can we meet completely virtually (CA)
Q: Is it permissible for the board to be virtual? That is, do we need to physically be together, or can we be virtual? Our homeowners association is less than 50 units, so we are tiny. Likewise, some board members are landlords and so do not reside in the units. Read the Q&A………………………………..
Countless emails to the association (FL)
Q: An owner in our community sends countless emails to the association asking for information and updates on various projects. The requests have become overwhelming and our manager is unable to adequately respond and tend to her other responsibilities. What are we required to do here? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Condo Q & A (FL)
Q: I have several questions about the fining/suspension committee hearing. Can the Owner who appears before the Hearing Committee bring a witness or their attorney to the hearing? Read the Q&A……………………………….
HOA will likely have to pay to repair perimeter wall (NV)
Q: We noticed the outside of our wall, which is on a corner lot, to be cracked. On further inspection, the wall moves from above. We found you in a Google search. The first search to pop up was an article dated Jan. 31, 2009: “HOA bill to address maintenance of Security Walls within communities.” […]
Ask Mary: Here Are the Answers for a Tsunami of Asks (NY)
Dear Mary: In my condo, we have a few unit-owners who are always asking for things that go against the building’s rules or policies. Sometimes the requests involve local laws or other guidelines. How can we deal with this time-consuming tsunami of “asks”? Read the Q&A…………………………….
Sparks fly during homeowners association meeting at American Legion hall in Brook Park (OH)
A Brook Park man, 70, told police Aug. 11 that he felt threatened by another man at American Legion Post 610, 19944 Sheldon Road, during a homeowners association meeting. Read the entire article……………………………….
The Surfside condo collapse triggered evacuations. Hundreds are still waiting to go home.
For some 20 years, Guarnizo lived a peaceful life in North Miami Beach’s Crestview Towers — a 156-unit condominium occupied by both young families and elderly residents, many with roots stretched throughout Latin America. Then the Champlain Towers South in Surfside collapsed in June, marking one of the worst building failures in U.S. history and […]
Wasilla homeowner’s association to develop park (AK)
A group of local homeowners helped provide a new park for children in Wasilla in an area that was made previously unusable. On Saturday, Lakeview Estates Homeowners Association members, Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford, families and children gathered to celebrate the future site of a new park. Read the entire article……………………………….
Grandmother, granddaughter sentenced in theft of more than $120K from HOAs (TN)
A Williamson County grandmother and granddaughter were recently convicted of crimes related to the theft of more than $120,500 dollars from three homeowners associations. The pair also faced charges in relation to a fraudulent GoFundMe campaign started under the guise of paying for cancer treatments. Read the entire article……………………………….