Big Sky’s largest and oldest homeowner’s association, Big Sky Owners Association, was formed in 1971 and seated its first Board of Directors in 1973. Early on in Big Sky’s history, BSOA served as the main governing body of the area. Today, BSOA serves to preserve, protect and enhance property values in Big Sky. Read the […]
Condo World: Trials and tribulations of association violations (NH)
Not having been a philosophy major, I’ve never quite figured out the answer to the question, “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around, does it still create a sound?” I tend to think it does, just one that’s not heard. (And who’s to say other animals or even trees can’t hear […]
Ask a real estate pro: What can I do about condo rules that don’t allow pickup trucks? (FL)
Q: Our condo does not allow us to own pickup trucks or park them on the premises. Visitors can park them in guest parking during the day but must find off-site parking overnight. This rule is making it hard for friends and relatives to visit me. Is there something I can do? Read the entire […]
Nashville condo complex still without power after flooding (TN)
The March rain left homes flooded with water, and although Middle Tennessee has since dried up, some families are still without power over a week later. The Harding Place Condominium was one of many communities hit hard by the storm. The night it hit, water started filling into homes. Read the entire article……………………………….
Amid dry year, neighbors next to closed golf course concerned about overgrowth (CA)
As drought-like conditions persist and warmer months draw near, some east Petaluma homeowners are voicing concern that a neighboring property, the abandoned Adobe Creek Golf Course, presents a potential fire risk. Read the entire article……………………………….And it’s not the first time.
‘I’m scared people are going to die’: 911 call reveals chaotic scene as massive fire ripped through Carolina Beach condo complex (NC)
A recently released 911 call reveals the chaotic moments after a massive fire broke out at a condominium complex in Carolina Beach last Friday. The fire was first reported at the Paradise Cove Condominiums off Spencer Farlow Drive and near Snows Cut Bridge just before 1 p.m. Heavy flames and smoke were billowing from one […]
Confusion over road status contributes to Cross Neck Road floods (MA)
A one-mile-long, half-paved road stretching from Marion Golf Club to Brainard Marsh confounded area residents and board members alike during the Selectmen’s meeting on April 6. Parties debated whether Cross Neck Road truly lies on public or private land, and who should be charged with maintaining a road that, despite its normality in nearly every […]
Signs of the times: Residents question homeowners association sign restrictions (TX)
A question of equality was raised in the Plum Creek neighborhood recently after some homeowners were forced to remove yard signs because they were considered political. The Plum Creek homeowners association (HOA) abides by the Texas Election Code, which requires HOAs to allow homeowners to have political signs on their property up to 90 days […]
Houston Synagogue Sues City, Claiming Selective Enforcement of Land-Use Laws (TX)
One Houston neighborhood is home to a paper shop, a hair salon, a law firm, a wig stylist, and a small Orthodox Jewish congregation that meets in a home. In the summer of 2020, the city only cracked down on one for breaking a deed restriction that limits the neighborhood to residential-only use. Read the […]
Grand Forks condo complex heavily damaged by fire (ND)
The Grand Forks Fire Department battled a south side condo fire Tues. afternoon. Crews were notified of the blaze shortly before 12:30. Flames were visible from the roof area of Unit C of the Cherry Arms Condominiums on the 3400-3500 block of Cherry St. Multiple trucks were utilized in extinguishing the fire at the twelve-plex […]
25 HOA’s, one access road: Island Green residents protest additional development (SC)
With the prospect of hundreds of new neighbors quickly becoming reality, Island Green residents in the Burgess area of Horry County are trying to make their calls for change heard. Even they fear it may be too late. Read the entire article……………………………….
One Dead In Hudson Valley Condominium Fire (NY)
One person died when a fire broke out in a second-floor Hudson Valley condo unit, officials announced. Read the entire article……………………………….
Four fire departments respond to condo fire in southeast Louisville Monday afternoon (KY)
Multiple fire departments are on the scene of a large condo fire that happened Monday afternoon in the Buechel neighborhood, according to MetroSafe. A structure fire was reported at the 3500 block of Lodge Lane at about 2:30 p.m. The blaze happened at The Lodge Condominiums. Read the entire article……………………………….
Woman, 2 dogs killed in Novi condo fire (MI)
A woman and two dogs are dead after a fire at a Novi condominium. Fox 2 in Detroit reports that the 44-year-old woman was found in the upstairs of the unit at Country Place Condominiums on E. Glen Haven Circle at 2:06 a.m. on Monday. Read the entire article……………………………….
Shooter Targets Gold Coast Condos (IL)
According to reporting by a number of local and national news outlets, including the Chicago Sun Times and the New York Post, a trio of neighboring condominium buildings along Chicago’s Gold Coast have been struck by gunfire in recent weeks. Read the entire article……………………………….
Early-morning fire in a Waikiki condominium displaces family of four (HI)
An early-morning fire in a nine-story Waikiki condominium displaced a family of four Sunday……“The first firefighters arrived at the scene of the nine-story condominium building at 1:15 a.m to find smoke and flames emanating from the lanai of a fourth-floor unit,” Medrano said. Read the entire article……………………………….
Chesdin Landing homeowners sue over assessments to fund golf course (VA)
A dispute over assessments charged to homeowners in Chesdin Landing to help fund the neighborhood’s privately owned golf course is playing out in court, with an initial round going to its developer and board of directors. Read the entire article……………………………….
‘Open The Gate’: Group Protests Closure Of Entrance To Matheson Hammock Park (FL)
A battle over a private road and the entrance to a public park came to a head Saturday. Residents came together to protest the closure of Matheson Hammock Park’s west entrance, saying the closure is infringing on their public access rights and they want city officials to intervene. Read the entire article……………………………….
Use of party room requires new rules (IL)
Q: The rules for our condominium association address the use of the association’s party room. The party room needs to be reserved, and the resident reserving the party room needs to sign an agreement describing the details of the reservation. The rules refer to the party room agreement; however, the party room agreement is not […]
Unit owners challenge plan to convert common elements to commercial space (IL)
The war between Newberry Plaza Condominium Association and a cadre of unit owners opposed to a proposal to convert to commercial space common elements of their high-rise has settled down for the moment but has not gone away. Read the entire article……………………………….
‘Screeching’ Cobble Hill condo building drives neighbors crazy, amasses violations (NY)
A new luxury condo building in Cobble Hill, being marketed as 5 River Park, is not only driving neighbors crazy with its “screeching noises” at all hours. Now it is under a partial Stop Work Order for numerous violations. Read the entire article……………………………….
Electrical fire short-circuits condo rentals at the Setai Miami Beach, 14 floors still without power (FL)
For more than a week, 14 floors of The Setai Miami Beach’s 385-foot-tall luxury tower have been without power, cramping the lifestyle of residents and guests at one of the city’s swankiest condo-hotel properties. Read the entire article……………………………….
In a Condo who insures what and who pays for the damage? (FL)
Questions often arise when there is an insurable event (such as when a water or sewer pipe bursts), who pays for the damage? The Condominium Association or the Unit Owner. The answer will depend upon what the damaged items are. Section 718.111(11)(f), Florida Statutes, Read the entire article……………………………….
‘Lost everything, but we’re alive’: Paradise Cove residents react to devastating fire (NC)
Several people are displaced after a massive fire destroyed condos in the Paradise Cove community in Carolina Beach. According to the Carolina Beach Fire Department, the call came in around 1 p.m. The fire was contained quickly, but there was minor damage to other buildings in the complex due to the wind. Read the entire […]
Are Videos Official Records? (FL)
Q: My condominium association has installed several security cameras in the common areas, including the pool area. There was an incident between myself and another owner last week at the pool and I requested a copy of the security camera video footage. I submitted my request to the manager in writing, but the manager has […]
HOA pool restrictions expected to relax in May (NV)
Q: I have seen your articles detailing pool openings for homeowners associations from earlier in the pandemic, and I was wondering if you could offer some additional insight to these Phase 2 opening guidelines. Read the Q&A……………………………………
HOA Homefront: Can a board member date a vendor? Isn’t that a conflict of interest? (CA)
Q: Is it considered a conflict of interest if a board member is also an HOA employee? Our board is voting on matters which would affect the job duties of the board member/employee. Would this be considered a conflict of interest? The director acts as property manager. Read the Q&A…………………………………..
New Hawaii Condo Living Guide Video Series Now Online
The Hawaii Real Estate Commission released its new “Hawaii Condo Living Guide” video series to help deliver valuable information to current and prospective condominium owners and boards. The first six educational videos are available online and broken up into a series of short segments for ease of viewing. The commission intends to continue releasing more […]
Falmouth neighborhood plans to take legal action against town over sewer project (ME)
There’s a fight in Falmouth over plans to build a new sewer line. A lawyer for one neighborhood is ready to take legal action, but the town says it’s doing what’s most cost-effective. The Woodlands Homeowners Association says it’s challenging a $3 million sewer project that was just approved. Read the entire article……………………………….
Ohio Woman Challenges HOA Regarding Her Pet Pig (OH)
After buying a unique household pet, one couple is now in a fight with their Home Owner’s Association to get to keep her. Katherine Price has a unique household pet, a two-year-old Vietnamese pot belly pig named Arnold Ziffel. Price had another pig just like Arnold while growing up in Vietnam. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Turf War: Broomfield orders homeowners remove unapproved artificial turf (CO)
During a time when water conservation is a growing concern, a Broomfield homeowners association was forcing a family to tear out artificial turf that they had just installed. If a new bill passes, however, that could soon be against the law. Read the entire article……………………………….
Dealing With Water Damages In Your Condominium Building? Here’s What To Do (NC)
In a recent “Ask the Experts” webinar, we discussed best practices regarding handling water leaks in condominiums. Though this piece will discuss some North Carolina laws, there’s also plenty of information on governing documents and insurance policies that will be useful to condominium board members in all regions. Read the entire article……………………………….
Ask a real estate pro: Can HOA close the pool to everyone after resident broke rules? (FL)
Q: The Board of our Homeowners Association recently reopened our pool for tenants only (no guests or family). Twice residents were observed bringing in guests, and as punishment, the board closed the pool to all residents the next day. Can the board punish all residents because of another resident’s action? Read the entire article……………………………….
Residents discover 6-foot alligator in Richmond neighborhood pond (TX)
He is a six-foot alligator some neighbors in the River’s Edge subdivision in Richmond have recently become acquainted with. The gator has only been here for a few days but has already caused quite the stir. Read the entire article……………………………….
Neighbor’s cooking displeases resident (MI)
Q: My new downstairs neighbors in the condo unit below me are cooking strong-smelling foods every single night, and my unit is constantly “perfumed” as a result. The constant odor is driving me crazy, and attempts at talking with my neighbors have been fruitless. Can I demand the condominium association do something about it? Read […]
Widow of security guard sues after truck kills husband (NV)
The widow of a Henderson security guard killed after he was run over by an RC Willey delivery truck has filed suit against the furniture company and others. Mark Streit, 60, was killed in January while working at the guarded gate entrance of the Roma Hills community near Horizon Ridge and Green Valley parkways. Read […]
‘Like Fingernails on a Blackboard’: Whistling luxury condo tower distresses Cobble Hill (NY)
A luxury condo in Cobble Hill has radiated a shrill whistling sound for months, disrupting life in the quiet brownstone nabe with its piercing noise, according to locals. Read the entire article……………………………….
Homeowners in Florissant dealing with excess water in their backyards (MO)
Excess water has been an issue for Florissant homeowners. The local homeowners’ association says the Metropolitan Sewer District is supposed to clean it up. But MSD says it falls on the homeowners. Read the entire article……………………………….
35% of condominium in Nassau Bay damaged after large fire (TX)
Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at a residential building in Nassau Bay Monday evening. There are 74 condo units at the complex. Officials estimate approximately 35 percent of the building has sustained damage in the fire. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA says homeowner must remove sign that reads ‘Botched Raid Sept. 1, 2020? (TX)
Louis Rodriguez calls it his right to speak freely. That’s why he placed a sign in his front yard, displaying a message to passersby of a “botched raid” that he says took place at his home on Sept. 1. While Rodriguez says the sign allows neighbors to know what happened, his HOA has given him […]
County Faces Lawsuits Over Developments (MT)
One suit is in regards to Baker 80, a proposed 16-lot, 80-acre subdivision that was approved by the county commission in February. The future development was the source of several contentious meetings as residents of the neighboring Whitefish Hills Village Subdivision argued against Baker 80 being allowed to utilize privately maintained subdivision roads. The county’s […]
Spring cleaning: a checklist for condos (VA)
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming. Are you feeling the spring-cleaning bug? It’s the perfect time to shake off the winter blues by freshening up your home, performing some preventative maintenance, and getting organized and ready to enjoy the warmer months. Read the entire article……………………………….
California active adult community offers tip line, cash reward for ‘hate letter’ sent to resident
A California active adult community has set up an anonymous tip line and is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who sent an anti-Asian hate letter to a resident whose husband had just died. Leisure World Seal Beach in Orange County, CA, posted a message on […]
Raise mailboxes to proper height, post office advises (VA)
Residents of Blue Ridge Shores and nearby neighborhoods received a strongly-worded advisory in their mailboxes earlier this month, warning them to make sure the boxes are not too low to the ground. Read the article………………………………….
HOA Homefront: How can we cap rentals in our community? (CA)
Q: Does Section 4741’s approval of rental caps as low as 25% of the HOA mean a community such as ours can disallow rentals above that percentage? We are a small community with surging rentals, creating automobile congestion on our streets. Read the Q&A………………………………………..
Hoover neighborhood association pens letter of thanks to community after storms (AL)
The Greystone Farms Homeowners Association wrote a letter on behalf of residents, after homes in the Hoover neighborhood were torn apart in Thursday’s severe storms. Below, the HOA Board acknowledges the various entities that came to their aid in the wake of the devastation. Read the article………………………………..
Connecticut’s first condo lifted for pyrrhotite removal in Willington
Congressman Joe Courtney joined community leaders, engineers, and residents were at the Willington Ridge Condo complex Saturday in an effort to improve condominium infrastructure in Willington. Read the article……………………………….
HOA may have authority to lease or sell HOA property without member approval (FL)
Q: Is there an equivalent to Section 718.110(4), Fla. Stat. in Chapter 720 [the HOA Act] that would require a 100% vote in favor of an amendment to the covenants which materially modifies the appurtenances of the units (in this case permitting boat docks)? We live in an HOA community, but the issue seems to […]
Being Threatened With Legal Action? What Community Association Board Members Can Do To Protect Themselves (NC)
For homeowner association volunteers, a very real concern is the possibility of legal threats that may be levelled against the board. In a recent “Ask the Experts” webinar, Attorney Chris Gelwicks provided information on what community association board members should do when faced with threats of litigation from homeowners. Read the article……………………………………