19 News is investigating disturbing allegations made against a Mentor property manager. Residents, former employees, and Mentor City Councilman Sean Blake tell 19 News these problems have been going on for years. Read the entire article……………………………….
Hurricane Shutter Policies Raise Questions (FL)
Q: Can hurricane shutters remain closed when a home is unoccupied throughout the summer, even when there is not an active threat of a storm? Read the Q&A………………………………
‘We might as well live by a landfill’: Dead fish in Long Branch rivers creating nauseating conditions for residents (NJ)
Representatives from the condominium association say they have reached out to local and state government for help. They fear this will turn into a health hazard if the flies and fish continue to rot along the shore. Read the entire article……………………………….
An $83.8M Program Could Help Hawaiians Who Lost Homes In 2018 Kilauea Eruption
Three years after magma from Kilauea Volcano burst through the ground in Leilani Estates, signaling the start of the historic 2018 eruption, the sights, smells and sounds of the disaster are still vivid to those most impacted by it. Read the entire article……………………………….
There’s a Major Shortage of This Backyard Staple & It Could Ruin Your Summer
BioLab, a leading chemical plant that manufactures pool and spa treatment products, caught fire on Aug. 27, 2020—and the chlorine shortage stems from that incident, USA Today reports. The factory, located in Westlake, Louisiana, burned for nearly three days until the fire could be put out by firefighters. Read the entire article……………………………….
‘Massacre at Tivoli Lakes’: Mahogany trees taken out at retirement community (FL)
Tivoli Lakes has begun removing 277 mahogany trees, much to the chagrin of some residents at the west of Boynton Beach retirement community. “You could say we are in mourning,” said Ben Kass of Noceto Way. “These trees were so beautiful. We call it ‘the chainsaw massacre at Tivoli Lakes.’” Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Homefront – Be ready when amending CC&Rs (CA)
Amending CC&Rs is not easy. Here are some tips to avoid making it harder. 1. Check with the members. Amending CC&Rs usually takes a supermajority (i.e., more than simply a majority of the quorum), so a good idea isn’t enough — it still needs widespread support. A great proposed amendment is meaningless if the homeowners […]
Florida woman awarded $48M after becoming ill from mold in her condo
A South Florida woman was awarded $48 million after a leaky roof led to mold contamination in her apartment, leaving her with a permanent, debilitating illness, according to court records. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA changes color scheme and it’s a mess (NV)
Q: (I am) writing this after reading (your) article about homeowners associations requesting a house be painted after three years. I live in a very nice community where the HOA has drastically changed the paint schemes in our community. I have had issue with this since I found out about changes and believed them when […]
Residents show interest in license-plate recognition (AL)
Auburn neighborhoods were well-represented at a recent virtual meet-and-greet with the city’s neighborhood specialist and an officer from the Auburn Police Division. Neighborhood residents were able to introduce themselves to Neighborhood Specialist Allison Blankenship, who wanted to foster better relationships with HOA representatives and neighborhoods in general, while seeking feedback on the best ways to […]
Kalithea fencing punted to HOA (CA)
Frustrations ran high as district representatives sought resolution at this month’s El Dorado Hills Community Services District Board of Directors meeting. Although multiple residents reiterated desires to erect fencing around Kalithea Park, ultimately the decision was punted to the neighborhood HOA to handle. Read the entire article……………………………….
A letter from the Indian Creek HOA (ID)
As most everyone in the Valley knows, earlier this month a fire was started in the common area of the lower part of Indian Creek by the use of a device called a Rodenator. This device is commonly used by farming operations and golf courses to control rodent populations that create dens, which can cause […]
Condo questions: How to stop repeat parking offender? (FL)
Q: One of our owners continues to park his vehicle in the valet parking spaces and our rules strictly prohibit owners from using these parking spaces. When we send him a letter, he moves the car, but it always seems like the car is back in the valet parking spaces a few days later. What […]
Village HOA honored by Keep Sedona Beautiful (AZ)
KSB bestowed its award for Dark Sky Lighting to the Canyon Mesa Townhouse Association. Canyon Mesa is located in the Village of Oak Creek. Over the course of two years, 92% of homeowners took advantage of a voluntary project to replace light polluting outdoor fixtures with Dark Sky compliant sconces. Read the entire article……………………………….
Stinson Beach residents must reckon with abandoning their homes as sea levels rise (CA)
“Lots of people delighted with their beach house and their one-and-a-half-minute walk to the beach all of a sudden discovered that you wouldn’t be able to get a permit, for anything,” resident and HOA President Mike Matthews told the station. “That equates to ‘can’t sell your house,’ and that equates to loss of the value […]
Residents vote down measure to remove ‘plantation’ from neighborhood signs (SC)
Residents in a Lowcountry neighborhood have voted down a measure to remove the word “plantation” from their community signs. On Monday, residents of the Belle Hall Plantation subdivision voted to keep “plantation” on community signs. The vote was 225 who approved the measure to remove the word, to 369 who disapproved of removing the word. […]
Concord At Glen HOA Agrees To Let Beavers Be (IL)
The Concord at The Glen Homeowners Association issued a letter to residents Wednesday, April 21, saying, “the HOA Board has concluded that it will not capture and remove, or capture and relocate, the two juvenile beavers currently residing in the retention ponds.” Earlier this month, a plan by the homeowners association to use underwater traps […]
Homeowners board recognized by court (TN)
A group of homeowners on Renegade Mountain has been declared the legitimate board of directors for the community following nearly a decade of legal wrangling and property disputes. A meeting of the membership is to be held before Sept. 30, 2021, with back dues and current dues to be assessed and records updated. Read the […]
Condo residents displaced by mudslide (AR)
Two buildings in a condominium complex on Lake Hamilton in south Hot Springs had to be evacuated Saturday morning after an adjacent retaining wall collapsed in a mudslide. Hot Springs police Cpl. Patrick Langley said the collapse of the retaining wall at Catalina Cove Condominiums, at 112 Catalina Cove, occurred “most likely because of rain.” […]
4 days after fire, Fairfield Oaks HOA holds meeting for displaced residents (LA)
It has been four days since an apartment building caught fire at the Fairfield Oaks condominiums. On Sunday afternoon, the Homeowners Association held a meeting to update residents, answer questions, give information needed for insurance claims, and to remind everyone to cut off all utilities with providers. Read the entire article……………………………….
Residents of Glenview Subdivision Voice New Worries After Beaver Habitat Dismantled (IL)
Some suburban Glenview residents are voicing new concerns Friday, after the homeowner’s association at an area subdivision rejected the community group’s offer to help support local beavers, dismantling their den this week. Residents of the Concord at the Glen and other local community members have voiced concern about the unknown fate of the beavers, which […]
Maintenance worker should have a contract (IL)
Q: Our association is self-managed. The association uses a “handyman” to perform various services for the association. This person is paid on a per-job basis. It’s always been handled verbally and on a “handshake.” A newer board member is concerned about the lack of formality with this arrangement, and has suggested we need a written […]
Condo Q&A (FL)
Q: Can a condominium association stop a unit owner from displaying an American flag from inside of an enclosed lanai? Read the Q&A………………………………….
Residents on balconies helped to safety amid Schaumburg condo fire; no injuries (IL)
No injuries were reported after a fire Friday night at the Bar Harbour Condominiums in Schaumburg. The fire at 101 Bar Harbour Road was first reported around 9 p.m., Schaumburg Deputy Fire Chief Dan Johnson said, on the fourth floor of a six-story building. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Homefront: What surprises lurk in your CC&Rs? (CA)
Among the association governing documents including articles of incorporation, recorded map or plan, bylaws, operating rules and covenants, conditions, and restrictions (“CC&Rs”), the CC&R documents are arguably the most important. Read the entire article……………………………….
Broken elevator at Stratford condo complex leaves dozens of seniors trapped on upper floors (NJ)
A broken elevator in Stratford has left dozens of seniors and people with disabilities trapped on the upper floors of their building. James Bowman, 80, manages the condo association at Longbrook Condominiums. He says in spite of using a cane, he is still able to walk up the stairs, but most of his neighbors – […]
Neighbors come together following condo fire in Norfolk (VA)
Neighbors are picking up the pieces following a devastating condo fire in Norfolk. Anne Heywood’s cats were the first thing that came to mind. She has three, and a warning from a neighbor sent her into a mad dash for the felines. Read the entire article……………………………….
The appeal of appeals for condo owners (NH)
Last column I noted what can and should happen when a board of directors sanctions an owner without providing any evidence to an owner about the basis for the sanction. But what if, instead of choosing not to show an owner any evidence at a hearing in front of the board, a board of directors […]
Starting over: Shreveport condo fire victims face tall task (LA)
People from 30 units destroyed by fire at the Fairfield Oaks Condominiums are dealing with the need to find a new place to live and replace just about everything that was inside. “Find another place to live and start all over!” Barbara Wilson said with a chuckle. Read the entire article……………………………….
Management company asking Prestonwood Forest neighbors to oppose affordable living complex to be built nearby (TX)
Some neighbors are not too excited about an affordable living complex expected to show up near their neighborhood in northwest Harris County. Others who support the project said the management company went too far in asking residents to help oppose the project. Read the entire article……………………………….
Hundreds of Co-ops and Condos Suffer Data Breach (NY)
Douglas Elliman Property Management is the most recent company in the co-op/condo management sphere to have had its data network breached. Personal information for building residents and employees, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, mailing addresses, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers and financial information may have been stolen. Read the entire article……………………………….
Your Nevada HOA legal questions, answered
Q. I received a notice from my homeowners association claiming I was causing a nuisance because my pine tree had left a dusting of needles on my neighbors’ driveways. Isn’t it the HOA’s duty to trim the trees? Read the Q&A……………………………….
2 people rushed to hospital after jumping from top floor of burning Norfolk condo building (VA)
Two people had to jump from the top floor to escape a massive condo fire early Thursday morning in Norfolk. Dispatchers say they were notified around 3 a.m. for the fire in the 4600 block of Mayflower Road, at the Lafayette Cove Condominiums in the Colonial Place neighborhood. Read the entire article……………………………….
2-alarm fire leaves 30 condo units destroyed on Fairfield Ave. (LA)
Shreveport firefighters battled a multiple story condo building fire in the 3800 block Fairfield Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters remained on the scene overnight and into Thursday morning to watch for any danger and extinguish hot spots. Read the entire article……………………………….
What kind of flag can I fly outside my house? (CO)
David Pendery’s rainbow pride flag had only been waving outside his house for a few days when a letter arrived ordering him to take it down. Pendery, 44, a marketing executive, lives with his husband and their two children in Arapahoe County, Colorado. When he hung up the flag at the end of August 2020, […]
This is where Americans pay the most for condo insurance — it’s not California or New York
Americans looking to buy a condominium or co-op this spring should factor in the cost of insurance before signing on the dotted line. And a new analysis shows that where you choose to live will greatly influence how much you can expect to pay to protect yourself. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo questions: Can I do my own electrical work in my condo? (FL)
Q: A question has come up about doing our own electrical work, etc., in the association rather than calling an electrician. I am not talking about complex electrical work, just simple jobs like replacing a light switch or the timer on the spa. If the wiring was not done correctly, and someone got hurt using […]
Dennis seasonal condo owners upset by 260% hike in beach sticker cost (MA)
Angela and Jim DiTerlizzi have owned a cottage at The Village at Nantucket Sound since 2012. For each of those nine years, they paid for a resident beach sticker, which they used to access resident-only beach parking lots in the town where they spend their summers. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo Q&A: Money Budgeted but a Big Project Can’t Wait (FL)
Question: Our condominium association (I am on the board) already included a line item in this year’s annual budget for a new roof for one of the condominium buildings. However, the roof is in desperate need of replacement, and we want to have it replaced immediately. We cannot wait until all of the assessments are […]
Diverse Columbia neighborhood hoping to fix image damaged after soldier charged in fight (SC)
In two minutes, the reputation of a sprawling, decades-old and racially diverse community in northeast Richland County was cemented in the minds of many as an enclave of prejudice. The short video showing what police allege is a White Army sergeant berating and shoving a smaller Black man on a sidewalk outside his home in […]
Ask The HOA Expert: Proxy Votes, Low Reserves, Transfer Fees, Special Assessments
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………………………………
Condominium must respond to written request to inspect records and inquiry to board by certified mail (FL)
Q: We live in a condominium that is governed by Chapter 718. We have recently started an e-mail system with owners. We have had all unit owners accept this e-mail system as notification of any new rules and regulations affecting the complex as a whole. Read the Q&A……………………………………..
Crews respond to overnight condo fire near Buckroe Beach area in Hampton (VA)
Hampton Fire & Rescue responded to a condo fire that occurred at 120 Atlantic Ave. Officials said no one was hurt from the fire. Read the entire article……………………………….
Associations can enact fire pit regulations (IL)
Q: Because more people are entertaining themselves at home during the COVID era, many residents in our association have acquired portable fire pits they place on the patios outside of their units. Some seem dangerously close to the building. Can the board regulate the use of the fire pits? Read the Q&A……………………………………….
HOA Homefront: When termites lurk, fumigate or spot clean? (CA)
Q: Our board is resolved to resume fumigation of the buildings in our community and has voted to obtain quotes for the next phase of fumigation but has not voted yet to schedule the work. The president does not consider that to move out of one’s home and into a hotel or another person’s home […]
1 rescued, 1 arrested in fire at Tucker condo complex (GA)
A raging fire at a Tucker condominium complex Friday morning trapped a resident on a second-floor balcony…….“Thank goodness our crews were able to get in there and get some ground ladders out, and bring him on down with minor injuries,” Bentley told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Read the entire article……………………………….
Hammocks Community Association President Accused Of Diverting Over $100K For Personal Use (FL)
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced Thursday the arrest of Hammocks Community Association (HCA) President and former Treasurer Marglli Gallego after a three-year investigation revealed that she diverted over $100,000 for her personal use. Read the entire article……………………………….
Quincy Firewise Community group urges residents’ preparedness participation (CA)
With 90 non-renewal notices for homeowners’ insurance policies coming across his desk in a single day, it’s beyond time to organize Quincy residents into becoming a Firewise community, according to Mike Flanigan, co-chair of Quincy Firewise. Read the entire article……………………………….
Kernersville development homeowners surprised by HOA fees (NC)
When buying their two houses in Caleb’s Creek, a planned development in Kernersville, Josh Blackburn and John Howie said they knew they’d be waiting for some amenities. They just didn’t know they’d be waiting this long. Read the entire article……………………………….