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………………………………
Club West HOA board defends its actions over golf course (AZ)
A new year and a preliminary injunction haven’t changed the fight over the future of the Club West Golf Course between the HOA board and a nonprofit comprising local homeowners. The latest salvo in the nearly year-old case was filed last month by the HOA board, which disputes several key findings Superior Court Judge Daniel […]
Illegal gate blocking Laguna Niguel trail unlocked … for now (CA)
After weeks of complaints and growing pressure from Laguna Niguel City Hall over an unpermitted fence blocking access to a popular oceanview trail, the gate was unlocked in mid-December on an interim basis by the homeowners association that erected it. Read the article………………………………….
Cleaning house in co-ops and condominiums with legal counsel (NY)
The COVID Pandemic has created some extra time for people to handle projects they might not otherwise have time for. A good example of this is reviewing your building’s co-op and condominium formation documents, such as house rules, proprietary leases by-laws and any contracts for any necessary updates. Read the article………………………………..
Couple says HOA won’t let them park charity’s truck in front of house (NC)
Emmanuel Threatt, a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer, and his wife, Adrienne Threatt, a teacher, started a nonprofit organization, Hope Vibes. They have a colorful truck to operate the charity the Hope Tank, which has bathrooms and a laundry area. Read the article……………………………………
Past time to take down those political signs (NV)
Q: Read your column regularly. Wondering if there are state rules for homeowners associations in Nevada for political signs and flags. How far after an election does the state say HOAs have to have signs and flags removed? Hope you can answer. Thank you. Read the Q&A……………………………
One Board, Two Sycamores, Three Concerns in Reston (VA)
Two Reston sycamore trees at Lake Anne Village Center appear to be a concern to certain people, but for three different reasons. Their unease involves Reston’s flagship characteristics, its tree canopy, lakes, and public art. Apparent consternation for some residents at Heron House is that the sycamores block lake views. According to the Morton Arboretum, […]
Longtime Sandstone Ridge streetlights issue in Berea to be resolved (OH)
A longstanding situation involving the lack of streetlights in one section of the Sandstone Ridge housing development in Berea will be resolved in 2021. Read the article…………………………………..
Condominiums are spoke on real estate cycle (IL)
Q: When was the first condominium created in Illinois? A: The Illinois Condominium Property Act was adopted in 1962 and was effective July 1, 1963. It is my understanding that the first declaration of condominium was recorded on July 31, 1963, in Cook County. It’s been “off to the races” since then, and there are […]
Real Estate Q&A: Window broken by stray golf ball
Q: We recently moved next to a golf course, and an errant ball broke one of our windows. We called the clubhouse, but they did not want to help. Are we on the hook to pay for a new window? Read the Q&A…………………………………..
Man arrested after allegedly spray-painting swastikas, racial slur on Spring Hill home (TN)
Shortly after the discovery of the vandalism, however, neighbors power washed and painted the homeowner’s garage — a community effort the homeowner described as “nothing but gracious.” ……An online fundraiser had also been set up by the homeowner’s homeowner association to help with the purchase of a new garage door. Any funds leftover are planned […]
What happens when a course owner tries to sell off land to stay viable? One California town is finding out.
Zaruka said building homes on part of the course will raise needed financial capital to make improvements to the course and keep it running for years to come. But some homeowners in the Sterling Hills community said they paid a high price for their homes with the belief that the golf course wouldn’t be developed. […]
Do purely virtual association meetings comply with the law? (FL)
The first quarter of the year is when the vast majority of Condominium and Homeowners’ Associations hold their annual members meetings. With the risk of spreading COVID-19 still around until vaccinations get widely distributed, many Associations are continuing to turn to having virtual meetings, rather than in person meetings, utilizing internet services such as Zoom […]
HOA Homefront: Do management cutbacks threaten association’s stability? (CA)
Q: I received notice from my association that our management company resigned and the association intends to self-manage. I am uncomfortable about the expertise that exists on the board to properly run the business of the complex. What does the Department of Corporations require? Read the article…………………………….
Resident burned, condo complex damaged after four-alarm fire in northeast Dallas (TX)
A condo resident in far northeast Dallas accidentally set his home on fire and burned himself early Friday while using his oven for heat, firefighters say. One hundred city firefighters responded to extinguish the four-alarm blaze, which was reported a little before 1 a.m. at a condominium complex in the 9800 block of Walnut Street. […]
Condo World: Another chance for us to get it right (NH)
If there were any time to reassess, it is after the problems of 2020, with evictions, joblessness, financial constraints, and the mothballing of visits to friends, neighbors, families, and restaurants. Those of us who are older used to think of Zoom as a PBS show for kids. We now have a different understanding. Read the […]
One Critically Injured After Three-Alarm Fire Breaks Out At Condo Complex In Fairfield County (CT)
One occupant was home at the beginning of the fire and self-evacuated. Danbury Hospital Nuvance Health EMS was on scene and transported the resident to Danbury Hospital Center emergency room where they are in critical condition, Gagliardo said. Read the article…………………………………..
Condo questions: Are pit bulls allowed if its emotional support? (FL)
Q: Our governing documents allow pets but prohibit pit bulls. A person has submitted an application to lease a unit and indicated that he has a pit bull but claims it is an emotional support animal. Can we deny the lease application on the basis that the pit bull violates our rules? Read the article……………………………..
2 injured, several families displaced after Rolling Meadows condo fire (IL)
A resident and a firefighter were injured in a Rolling Meadows condominium fire early Tuesday morning that displaced 18 families. Witnesses describe a frantic effort to stop the fire at approximately 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, at a large condominium complex on the 2400 block of West Algonquin Road.Read the article……………………………………
Residents of Wellington Hills search for answers, worry about what could come next Pt.2 (NC)
The residents of building 200 love living in the Wellington Hills community and they’re ready to be back in their condos. But the terror of what could’ve happened during the flood, or what might happen during the next one, will make it a timid return. Read the article………………………………..
Portland bets on co-ops to meet need for affordable housing (ME)
Back in March, Houssein Abdi attended a special meeting to find a way to help fellow tenants whose lives were just starting to be upended by the coronavirus pandemic. They hatched a plan to prevent any tenants from being evicted for nonpayment of rent and to help find additional support for five households struggling to […]
Condo Association Trying to Force Dispensary’s Eviction in Aspen, Colorado (CO)
An Aspen, Colorado condominium association is asking the landlord of the complex to evict a cannabis dispensary from one of its commercial units, arguing that the retailer isn’t compatible with nearby residential units, the Aspen Times reports. The association also wants cleared a unit used by a restaurant to store inventory. Read the article……………………………….
Condo Q&A: Does Florida Law Override a Declaration’s Language?
Question: I was under the impression that under the Florida Condo Statute maintenance and repair of common elements including limited common elements were always the responsibility of the association, but my condo’s declaration says that the owner is responsible for the repair, maintenance and replacement of its limited common elements. My question is if the […]
Woman fights to keep BLM sign in her window (CO)
Helen Rigmaiden had hoped the sign she put in her window would lead to a conversation, but she received a complaint instead. “I received a notice on Christmas Eve that I had to take my Black Lives Matter sign out of my bedroom window, and it’s been there for a couple of years,” Rigmaiden said. […]
Park City homeowners association expresses strong support for PCMR development (UT)
There is opposition on the periphery of Park City Mountain Resort to a Provo firm’s plans for a major development on the resort’s parking lots. And critics have appeared elsewhere in Park City, in places like Prospector, as the talks between PEG Companies and the Park City Planning Commission continue. But the Planning Commission in […]
Fire at condominium displaces two Goldens Bridge families (NY)
Goldens Bridge firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at 24 Boulder Lane in the Wild Oaks Village off Route 22 on Sunday morning. The call came in just before 11 a.m. for a second floor fire that affected two units at the condominium. Read the article………………………………
Taking the Temperature of Habitat’s Co-op and Condo Readers (NY)
After 10 months of unprecedented upheaval, 2020 is ending on a note of high anxiety for cooperative and condominium boards. Now, a comprehensive new survey, emailed to 3,474 board directors, provides a telling snapshot of our readers’ anxieties and hopes as this unimaginable year draws to a close. Here are some of the major concerns: […]
Content of HOA emails determines who can receive them (NV)
Q: Thank you for all of your help in the past. I have a few additional questions I am hoping you can answer, since I have not seen them previously asked or answered: • Are emails between board members and the community manager or management company viewable under Nevada Open Records Act? Read the Q&A……………………………..
Months after flood, residents of Wellington Hills still dealing with fallout (NC)
In the three years that Joy has lived in the Wellington Hills neighborhood, which lies just within the Salisbury city limits, she’s grown used to moving her Kia to higher ground when it rains. Joy lives in unit 205, which is one of five connected condos that sit at the bottom of a hill in […]
Looking ahead to 2021, common interest community service (VA)
Happy (almost) New Year! We think that we can all agree that we are ready to say “goodbye” to 2020 and “hello” to 2021! Like everyone else, we are looking forward to new and exciting things in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has had us adjusting our personal and professional lives. Our homes have become so […]
Charlestown settles land-grab lawsuit with residents of low-income neighborhood (IN)
Charlestown and the Pleasant Ridge Neighborhood Association have settled a yearslong legal battle in which the Southern Indiana city was accused of unfairly targeting residents with fines in order to redevelop the land. The agreement, according to a statement released by the city late Monday night, requires enforcement of maintenance code violations be applied equally […]