Hundreds of people in the Valencia Reserve neighborhood in Boynton Beach are upset at what they say is the unauthorized construction of a nearly half-mile lake and other structures in their agricultural preserve, which they say will lead to flooding, loud noise, and lower property values. Read the article……………………………….
Irked S. Tempe equestrian-property owners tell city: Tear down this wall (AZ)
Tempe officials have said it is not a city matter but a private-property issue, and therefore the city has no jurisdiction. “City staff has looked into the issue and we have found no indication that the particular bridle path in the Shady Lanes Estates neighborhood is recorded as a public easement,” Baumann said. “We have […]
Officials tee up plan to save Gray Eagle golf course in Fishers (IN)
A Fishers golf course on the cusp of closing a few years ago has new life, thanks to a development agreement that will allow the owner to make improvements to the links. Residents at Gray Eagle said owner RN Thompson is backing a plan to build a living community for people 55 years and older […]
Statute of Limitations Can Prevent Enforcement (FL)
Q: Our community was built in 1982. Many homeowners have had screen patios for 38 years. The board now wants the screens removed and if a homeowner does not remove it, the board will, and it will send the bill. Can an HOA do this now after 38 years? Read the Q&A……………………………..
Lawsuit Alleges Developer of N.J.’s Tallest Building is Defrauding Condo Purchasers (NJ)
The company behind one of the highest-profile projects in the history of the Garden State is being taken to court over misrepresentations they supposedly made in marketing their building along with a slew of alleged defects and problems that have purportedly gone unaddressed at the property. Read the article………………………………….
Condo questions: What funds can be used to paint the buildings if not on track? (FL)
Q: Our condominium has been reserving every year to repaint the buildings every seven years. We are now approaching seven years, and it turns out the paint reserve fund was never on track to be fully funded, and we are going to be short. Can we use money set aside for other projects or do […]
FL: Condo termination agreement paves way for St. Regis’ next step
Construction of The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is expected to begin this summer following the conclusion of legal proceedings to terminate the condominium association of the former Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, Unicorp National Developments CEO Chuck Whittall said. Read the article…………………………………
Oakmont Commons flooding solutions dependent upon grant approval (PA)
Flood mitigation projects proposed for the Oakmont Commons housing plan are contingent upon grant funding, Oakmont officials said Tuesday. The borough applied for $500,000 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Flood mitigation Program last July. Read the article………………………………….
HOAs, Santee Cooper still searching for compromise on street light costs (SC)
Santee Cooper’s street light policies may be in line with other utilities, but some Grand Strand HOAs insist that doesn’t make them equitable. Last week, a group of Horry and Georgetown county HOAs met with the utility for the third time to discuss ways to reduce the cost of their street lights. Read the article……………………………………..
Parkland Community Blames Developer For Mold in Clubhouse (FL)
Mega-developer Lennar has often been the source of headaches for residents living in the northwest portion of Parkland. From drainage problems to project completion timelines, these issues now include mold inside the MiraLago clubhouse. Read the article…………………………………..
Wind Brings Large Tree Crashing Down Onto Santa Clarita Condo, Splits Roof (CA)
The roof of a condominium in Santa Clarita was split when a large tree was felled by the swirling Santa Ana winds Tuesday morning……Building inspectors are on scene determining the extent of the damage. Crews were also on scene cutting up the tree and working to remove it. Read the article……………………………….
Trump commutes 40-year sentence of Clearwater Ponzi scheme operator (FL)
“I’m more disappointed for the investor victims and the dedicated public servants across the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice who put their hearts and souls into this prosecution and had the rug pulled out from under them,” said Bruce Barnes, a Safety Harbor attorney who filed a lawsuit in 2016 on behalf […]
2-Alarm Blaze Rips Through Carlsbad Condo’s Roof (CA)
Ferocious flames scorched through the roof of a Carlsbad condominium complex overnight as firefighters battled the two-alarm blaze. The fire was reported at about 3 a.m. Tuesday in the 7400 block of Avenida de Palais. There, crews encountered heavy flames on the roof of the structure. Read the article…………………………………
Maricopa HOAs: What every resident should know about board meetings (AZ)
Anyone who has served on a decision-making or governance group knows that meetings are how decisions are made, policies created, and business conducted. HOAs are no exception, but meetings can become contentious or a forum for expressing complaints or dissatisfaction. Read the article……………………………………..
Court rules in favor of DeBordieu Colony’s beach nourishment plan (SC)
South Carolina’s Chief Administrative Law Judge has upheld DeBordieu Colony Community Association’s permit for beach nourishment. The plan includes placement of up to 650,000 cubic yards of sand and three groins on DeBordieu Beach at the southern end of the development. Read the article…………………………………..
Stamford woman says complaints to management about condo’s cracking foundation not being resolved (CT)
A Stamford woman who lives in a condominium says her faith in condominium associations is crumbling. Janet Davis says the foundation of her condo is cracking and she can’t get any answers about what to do from the board of directors who manage the place. Read the article………………………………….
Associations should be wary about getting involved in neighbor disputes (FL)
Dear Poliakoffs, I live in a condominium. Whenever a resident has a complaint about noise coming from one of their neighbors the condominium association will not do anything about it until the complaining resident has confronted the resident they are complaining about, at least twice. It seems to me like the association is making the […]
REAL ESTATE MATTERS: Homeowner concerned HOA has too much cash reserve
Q: Can a homeowners association have too much cash in reserves? If they do, what are the consequences? Read the Q&A……………………………..
Multiple residents evacuate following condo fire in Virginia Beach (VA)
Three condos are suffering damage after one caught on fire Saturday morning. The Virginia Beach Fire Department was called on Saturday, Jan. 16 around 1:58 a.m. to a multifamily fire on the 2200 block of Savona Quay in The Crescent Condos. Read the article…………………………………
Condo World: Here it comes: Winter Tips, Part 2, Ice Dams (NH)
Before the holidays, I wrote a column about Winter Tips, primarily about what to insert into your association’s snow removal contract, and promised more thoughts. So, let’s talk about ice dams, one of very few phrases in condominium law with such a loaded double meaning. Your association has likely experienced ice dams or you have […]
Lake Charlene residents worry over flooding threats (FL)
A FEMA-funded project to reduce the likelihood of flooding in the Lake Charlene area has a second chance at approval if the County Commission and Lake Charlene Homeowners Association can approve a new easement agreement. Read the article……………………………..
Fence to come down on forsaken golf course (CA)
The owners of the closed Vellano Golf Course in Chino Hills will take down the chain-link fence it illegally installed in 2018. The City of Chino Hills announced Tuesday that a settlement was reached with Western Golf Properties (WGP) Vellano, LLC to remove the fence within six months. WGP sued the city in July 2019 […]
Civil lawsuit for damage done during George Floyd protests dropped (OH)
A lawsuit filed by a Downtown Cincinnati condominium unit owners association has been dropped less than a month after the first court appearance. Attorney William Blessing filed a motion to dismiss for Court Street Executive Suites, the plaintiff, on Jan. 11. Read the article………………………………..
Board must not ignore its maintenance duties (IL)
Q: The board of our condominium association frequently puts issues to a poll of the owners, even when the decision is solely within the jurisdiction of the board. Recently, owners were questioned about a significant common element repair project. A majority of the owners “voted” against it, as they don’t want to spend the money. […]
HOA Homefront – Shorter meetings are BETTER (CA)
It may not shock readers to know I have seen innumerable board meetings run far too long, exhausting volunteers and degrading the quality of the deliberations. Consider these tips to keep meetings moving forward efficiently. Read the article…………………………………..
Feeding of birds in one Miramar community ruffling feathers, pitting neighbor against neighbor (FL)
Feathers are flying in one Broward County community in a battle over birds, and it’s pitting neighbor versus neighbor. 7’s Karen Hensel investigates. This is the welcoming committee in the Bristol Isle community in Miramar. A bunch of birds blocking the road. Read the article………………………..
Does Sunshine law apply to smaller boards? (FL)
Q: Please explain the “sunshine law” as it pertains to a three-member condominium board as compared to a five-member board. It seems that two directors discussing association business on a five-member board does not constitute a quorum, whereas two directors on a three-member board would. It seems that a smaller, three-member board is punished since […]
Construction defects galore at five-year-old Echo Aventura, lawsuit alleges (FL)
When New York-based Property Markets Group entered South Florida during the boom cycle of the early 2010s, Echo Aventura was one of its first completed condo projects. The developer enticed foreign buyers with amenities that included a bayfront infinity-edge pool, a 4,000-square-foot fitness center, fully furnished units and Apple home technology. But five years after […]
8 On Your Side gets results for Clearwater condominium residents (FL)
Kevin Corrigan never dreamed his issue with the U.S. Postal Service would be resolved this quickly. Corrigan is the association president of the Inverness IV condominiums in Clearwater and was looking for a bid to replace the mailboxes in the two buildings in the complex. Read the article…………………………………..
CLUB West HOA board hires Lakes homeowners’ lawyer (AZ)
Tim Barnes, the attorney who led the legal fight to restore the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course, has been hired by the Foothills Club West Association board as a counsel in its fight with a group of homeowners over their golf course. Read the article……………………………….
Local family may have to remove memorial cross due to complaints to HOA (TX)
A local family is facing the reality of having to remove a memorial cross for their brother after the neighborhood’s HOA says it can not be there. Bryan resident Brandalynn Butler says her 29-year-old brother Jordon Braswell died after a motorcycle accident last year on Thornberry Road. In a wake of grief, the family put […]
BR homeowners displeased with Entergy’s installation of new tech devices in neighborhoods (LA)
While technological advances bring welcomed convenience to daily life, the new tech gadgets that make such convenience possible often seem to go through an ‘awkward phase’ before evolving into a more attractive product. Read the article…………………………………
Clearwater condo association calls 8 On Your Side for help with their mailbox madness (FL)
When Kevin Corrigan received the proposal, he couldn’t believe it. Corrigan is the association president of the Inverness IV condominiums in Clearwater and was looking for a bid to replace the mailboxes in the two buildings in the complex. The price tag: $25,263.72. His jaw dropped. Read the article………………………………..
Contractor and condo appeal $75K fine over shoreline work (HI)
Hololani Resort Condominiums and Goodfellow Bros. are appealing a $75,000 county violation alleging their shoreline restoration work temporarily put the environment at risk. Read the article…………………………………
Condo questions: Is the association required to install vehicle chargers? (FL)
Q: One of our owners purchased an electric vehicle and has requested to install a charging station in his parking space. The utility company informed him that it would be very costly to install the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the charging station, and the owner is demanding the association install the upgraded infrastructure as a […]
Upside Down American Flags Flying in a Polk County Neighborhood (FL)
Some residents in an Auberndale community are upset, after several homeowners flew the American flag upside down near their homes. Read the article……………………………………….
Association Movie Night Raises Copyright Questions (FL)
Q: Our social committee wants to start a “movie night” that is open to all of our residents. Would this violate copyright laws? Read the Q&A……………………………………
High-End Condo Buyers Just Took Another Hit (NY)
Pity the poor wealthy people trying to buy high-end condos in New York City today. The world just keeps piling on. First came targeted federal moves, beginning in New York and Miami, to prevent all-cash condo buyers from hiding behind the veil of limited liability companies, also known as LLCs or shell companies – an […]
Couple’s Dream Home Purchase In Burr Ridge Turns Into ‘Ongoing Nightmare’ In Fights With HOA, Village Officials (IL)
Another year without their house; A Chicago couple looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle is making noise in a quiet suburb. They say red tape and much more has ruined their dream home. CBS 2 Morning Insider Lauren Victory lays out the allegations. The idea to build their own home in Burr Ridge […]
Residents at Trianon condo cut off from balconies for nearly a year due to construction (FL)
For the next 300 days, residents living in the waterfront Trianon condominium in West Palm Beach will not be able to enjoy the sea breezes fluttering across their terraces. In fact, they won’t be able to venture onto their balconies at all, thanks to a massive exterior renovation project that will forbid their even opening […]
Multimillion-dollar embezzlement scandal: Where the Ridgway Lane lawsuit stands a year later (MS)
In the last year, attorneys for 12 metro Jackson homeowners associations have gained traction on recouping millions in missing funds from Ridgway Lane & Associates. So far, the court has ruled to liquidate the assets of the company’s former president, David L. Lane, including his home, properties across the state and what’s left of his […]
High-tech cameras used to fight neighborhood crime (TN)
Bellevue HOA say license plate readers are the newest technology for area neighborhood watch groups. In the Poplar Creek Estates neighborhood in Bellevue, your license plate is guaranteed to be caught on camera. Read the article………………………………..
Nashville condominium complex evacuated due to fire in air conditioning unit (TN)
Several condos of a Nashville complex have severe damage after an overnight fire on the roof of the building, according to the Nashville Fire Department. Officials tell News 2 this happened around 10:30 p.m. in the 1900 block of Richard Jones Road at the Green Hills Terrace Condominiums. Read the article……………………………
HOA boards struggle with virtual meetings (NV)
Q: Our homeowners association hasn’t met in person since November for obvious reasons. We continue to see violations ignored, unresolved or whatever, and that should subject the homeowner to a hearing. We’ve tried to have Zoom HOA meetings without rousing (major understatement) success. We did hear from one homeowner who said they were unable to […]
Ask Eartha: How to improve recycling at your condo complex
Dear Eartha, My neighbor is on our homeowners association board and said they’re thinking of dropping our recycling program because it’s such a mess. There was a ton of trash in our recycling over the holidays, but I’m not sure if it’s the people who live here or visitors. Is there anything we can do […]
HOA Homefront: What’s a zero lot line and where is the property line? (CA)
Q: My association has taken the stand that a side fence on a zero lot line, single-family dwelling that is entirely on the dwelling’s property is shared 50/50 with the neighbor for maintenance or replacement costs. In my opinion, this is totally incorrect that a neighboring property owner would be responsible for a fence that […]
Association cannot hold raffle to raise money (IL)
Q: Our not-for-profit condominium association is short on funds for a couple of common element maintenance and repair projects. The board wants to hold a public 50/50 raffle in order to raise funds for this work. Can we do this? Read the Q&A………………………………
Board meetings via video conference are legal (FL)
Q: Our association has been holding its board meetings electronically via video conference. They have now announced that the upcoming annual members meeting will be held the same way with no physical attendance allowed. Is this legal? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Heritage Square Owners, Residents Press for Greater HOA Transparency (VA)
A group of property owners and residents in Leesburg’s Heritage Square condominium neighborhood are calling for an annual meeting to be held for the first time in years, saying they are hopeful that 2021 will move them closer to resolution with their HOA board of directors. Read the article………………………………