Farmers condo insurance case explores exclusion clauses (WA)

The Gardens Condominium v. Farmers Insurance Exchange case revolves around an all-risk insurance policy issued by Farmers Insurance Exchange to The Gardens Condominium. The policy was designed to cover any direct physical loss unless caused by an excluded event. Notably, the policy included an exclusion for faulty, inadequate, or defective workmanship but also contained a […]

Discrimination Claims within Community Associations (WA)

A person’s home is intended to be their sanctuary from the public. As such, situations which arise that affect a person’s ability to feel safe and secure in their home are particularly harmful. This is, in part, the basis for the protections provided in the Fair Housing Act. Through recent amendments to the Fair Housing […]

HOA Budgeting Tips: Understanding the Shifting Insurance Market

The insurance market has always been a dynamic arena, with predicting stability often resembling a high-stakes gamble. Even seasoned insurance agents, with their wealth of experience, find themselves in uncharted territory given the current market landscape. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the current state of the insurance market, shedding light on the unprecedented […]

New Washington Law Related to Licensed Child Care Services in Associations

The Washington Legislature recently passed House Bill 1199, which directly affects the rights of homeowners and condominium unit owners and their respective associations as it relates to the provision of licensed child care services. This bill became effective on May 1, 2023 and amends all existing acts which govern associations   Read the article………………………..

Navigating the Challenges of a Hard Insurance Market

As board members of a homeowners association (HOA), it is crucial to stay informed about the ever-changing dynamics of insurance markets. These markets can fluctuate between being hard or soft, which directly impacts the premiums and coverage options available to your community. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between hard and soft […]

The Economy and the Well-Prepared Association (WA)

Lately, it feels like our country has been on an economic roller coaster, traversing through work-from-home requirements and mass layoffs during the Pandemic; shifting to severe employee shortages, supply chain issues, and return-to-the-office requirements; and most recently experiencing high inflation and high interest rates,    Read the article………………………..

New Laws Apply to Washington State Community Associations

The Washington State Legislature recently approved several new laws that affect existing community associations. The first new law prohibits community associations from prohibiting, unreasonably restricting, or limiting the use of properties for licensed family home child care or as licensed child daycare centers.   Read the article………………………..

Privacy and Privileged Documents in Washington State Homeowners’ Associations and Condominium Associations

Members of Washington’s homeowners’ associations and condominium associations have the right to access and review the records maintained by their association. However, there are certain limitations on this right, and it is important to keep that in mind when making any requests to your association for access to these records. First let us discuss the […]

HOAs Must Understand Use and Power of Contracts

The board of directors in a homeowners association (HOA) is responsible for the functionality and governance of the community. One of the powers and duties delegated to the board of directors is the power to negotiate and enter into contracts, which is highly significant to the operation and bylaws of an HOA.   Read the article………………………..

Can Some Units be Removed from an Association? (WA)

A Declaration can be amended to allow certain units to exit an association provided the governing documents and relevant statutes are followed, but obtaining an attorney opinion first will likely help you if the matter goes to court.   Read the article………………………..

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS IN CONDOMINIUMS AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS

On June 9, 2022, RCW 64.34.395, and its counterparts, RCW 64.32.290, RCW 64.38.062, and RCW 64.90.513, were enacted to enable the installation of electric vehicle charging stations (“EVCS”) in condominiums and homeowners associations, while protecting the associations and their members from bearing the costs required for such installation, as well as the costs of continued […]

Conducting a Vote Without a Meeting (WA)

Community association boards often ask me whether they may conduct a vote without a meeting. Washington state law does permit this, but only under the conditions stated below. If your board has questions or concerns about how to interpret and apply this law, then it should consider contacting my office to obtain guidance.   Read the […]

PENDING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS: AN AMBIGUOUS PHRASE WITH HUGE REPERCUSSIONS! (WA)

When you are considering whether to purchase a house in an homeowners association or a condominium unit, besides the location, location, location of the property, the next big indicators of whether the property will work for you is how much the property will cost you initially and whether there are additional fees that you should […]

HOAs and Special Assessments: What to Know (WA)

If you have considered living in or currently live in a community with a homeowners’ association (commonly referred to as an HOA) such as a condominium or complex of townhomes, you have likely heard of special assessments.    Read the article………………………..

Washington Court of Appeals Issues Opinion Concerning Water Trespass

The Washington Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion concerning water trespass. A homeowners association and one of its owners sued a golf club and alleged that it artificially collected and discharged surface water into their property in a manner different than the natural flow of such water.   Read the article………………………..

Citizen Suit Enforcement/Clean Water Act: Federal District Court Addresses Alleged Violation by Wetland Biofilter Stormwater Treatment System (WA)

A United States District Court (W.D. Washington) (“Court”) addressed in an October 31st Order a Clean Water Act citizen suit action seeking an injunction to remedy alleged illegal discharge of pollutants into a lake and its abutting wetlands. See Bang v. Lacamas Shores Homeowners Association, 2022 WL 16553016.   Read the article………………………..

What is Considered “Reasonable Time” When it Comes to Association Actions and/or Decision Making (WA)

An Association’s Board of Directors is responsible for, amongst a multitude of other tasks, taking appropriate actions and/or making decisions based on issues that arise within the community. Some common examples may be: water intrusion that causes damage to a unit, units, and/or common area; an architectural request submitted for review and approval by an […]

Which Statute Governs My Condominium Owners Association or Homeowners Association? (WA)

Navigating the applicability of the various Washington association statutes and their applicability can be a challenge. To help determine which law applies to your association, you have to answer two questions regarding your association: When was my association’s Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (“CC&Rs”) recorded with my county’s Recorder’s Department or Auditor’s Department? and […]

Washington State Approves Law Regarding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

A new law in Washington state concerns electric vehicle charging stations. It prohibits community associations from adopting or enforcing provisions in their governing documents that effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict the installation or use of an electric vehicle charging station….  Read the entire article……………………………….

What is a Reserve Study and Why Does Your Community Need One?

The financial health of a community and planning for long-term projects is critically important to any homeowner’s association (HOA). In fact, it is so important, a term was created for it: “reserve study.” And while the term “reserve study” probably isn’t anything new if you serve or have ever served on an HOA board, many […]

New Decision Gives Washington HOAs Broader Deference in Allocating Assessments

Surowiecki vs. Hat Island Community Association et al. is an important decision for homeowners’ associations throughout Washington State. It gives associations broad deference when deciding how to allocate assessments. So long as the association is making a discretionary decision in a procedurally valid manner and with reasonable care, the courts will not second-guess the association.  […]

Short-Term Rentals Are a Residential Use in Most Washington Community Associations

With the rise of Airbnb and other similar services, more and more homeowners are looking to rent out their property on a short-term basis. Whether a homeowner is allowed to do so is a question that can be answered by reviewing the association’s restrictive covenants found in the community’s Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions […]

Are Rentals Allowed in an HOA? (WA/OR)

Rentals are a hot button issue for many associations this year. Recent rent increases exceeded 16-year highs, and the number of single family rentals increased by more than 10% over the last year. Given these numbers, it’s no wonder a lot of homeowners are wondering “Can I rent out my home if it’s part of […]

What’s the Difference Between HOA Bylaws and CC&Rs?

If you buy a home in a planned community, you’ll most likely have to become part of a homeowner association (HOA). An HOA is a legal non-profit entity filed with the state that is responsible for managing and maintaining the assets of the community (i.e., the appearance of the homes and properties as well as […]

7 Ways Boards Can Help Homeowners Follow HOA Rules

There’s a fine line between enforcement of rules and fostering community bonds. Often homeowners will perceive Board Members as being too harsh and unruly when enforcement is too strict or communication is poor. Boards may sometimes become exhausted with having to deal with owners breaking rules repeatedly. When problems arise, and one particular rule/regulation is […]

Governing Documents of a Community Association

The term ‘governing documents’ refers to a host of documents, some of which are recorded, some which are filed with the state, and others are merely distributed to owners. In general, governing documents include: the Declaration/CC&Rs, Bylaws, Plat, Articles of Incorporation, and Rules/Regulations/Resolutions.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Architectural Guidelines in Oregon & Washington HOAs

Many community associations are governed by architectural design guidelines. Often, those guidelines are enforced by an architectural review committee (sometimes called architectural control committees or architectural design committees). The guidelines allow owners to know what types of changes require approval, acceptable materials and colors, and the process to appeal a decision.    Read the entire article……………………………….

Cultivating Thankful Owners

Community association board membership can be thankless and stressful work. Owners often do not appreciate their board because its work is not perceived or poorly understood.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Fair Housing Laws, Disabilities and Associations (WA)

42 U.S.C. 3604 (Section 804 of the Fair Housing Act) applies to Homeowners’ Associations and Condominium Owners’ Associations. 42 U.S.C. 3604 states, in pertinent part:  It shall be unlawful … to discriminate against any person in … the provision of services or facilities in connection with such dwelling, because of a handicap. … [F]or the […]

Residential Use Covenant Held to Take Precedence Over Zoning Authorization (WA)

The Washington Court of Appeals issued an unpublished opinion concerning the use of real property earlier this month. The Court ruled that a subdivision’s restrictive covenant mandating residential use of property took precedence over a county’s authorization for an owner to use its property for nonresidential purposes.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Court Rules That Attorney Client Privilege Waived With Ghost Written Disclaimer Letter

Two courts recently held that a disclaimer drafted by an insurer’s in-house or outside counsel and sent from the adjuster may constitute a waiver of the attorney client privilege.  In Canyon Estates Condo. Association v. Atain Specialty Ins. Co., No. 18-1761 (W.D. Wash. Jan. 22, 2020),), the court addressed the insured’s attempt to compel the […]

Better a Dead Horse Than a Dead Claim (WA)

I’m going to say it again: insurance claims have a relatively short limitations period. Most courts hold that an insured has two years after discovering property damage to bring a lawsuit against the insurer. There is often some confusion about what this means. The two year limitations period is NOT the time within which you […]

3 Types of HOA Meetings – What’s the Difference? (WA)

Meetings are integral parts of HOA management and aim to ensure successful community operations alongside harmonious living. They are an important and essential part of HOA governance. Homeowner associations operate as corporations and as a result, must regularly hold meetings involving board members and homeowners. In addition to holding regular board meetings throughout the year, […]