Condo & HOA News Items

/ Owner
November 20, 2024

Florida’s new legislative leadership shot down speculation of a special session to address an affordability crisis among condo owners, despite urging from Gov. Ron DeSantis for one to be convened by the end of the year.  The crisis was largely sparked by a series of changes OK’d by the state after the deadly June 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South, a 12-story condo in Surfside, Miami-Dade County.    

Fairfield Village’s HOA gets a resurgence

The Homeowners Association (HOA) of Fairfield Village seemed to have been at a low point this past year for several very good reasons. The president

Clarksville HOA Builds Community with Chili Cook-Off (TN)

Ivy Bend HOA in Clarksville hosted its first-ever chili cook-off in October. Around 55 neighbors enjoyed the event, which included a bounce house, football, ice

‘Upwards of 1,000% increases:’ Breckenridge officials discuss extreme spikes in homeowners insurance plus impacts to renters (CO)

Benedict said he heard of homeowner association fees doubling or tripling recently, noting wildfire risk’s impact on insurance is “nearly bankrupting some of the (homeowner

Person rushed to hospital from Leominster condo fire (MA)

One person was rushed to the hospital after a fire broke out in a condominium building in Leominster.   Read the article..................................

‘Lack of communication’: Residents share issues, claims of Duncan HOA board violating by-laws

The Country Club Condominiums in Duncan are an apartment complex turned Homeowners Association after changes of ownership.  However, Robert Esquivias, one of the residents, in

Fire Damages 10-Story La Grange Condo Tower (IL)

A fire on Sunday night damaged a 10-story condominium building in La Grange, displacing some residents, an official said.   Two people suffered minor injuries, Kuchler

Orion Township condo explosion, fire leaves at least two injured (MI)

A condo explosion in Orion Township Tuesday night left at least two people hospitalized with serious injuries.  When the building exploded, it caused significant damage

Redfin Reports Home Sales Sink Across Florida Amid Hurricane Recovery, Surging HOA and Insurance Costs

In Fort Lauderdale, pending sales dropped 15.2% year over year during the four weeks ending November 10—the biggest decline among the U.S. metropolitan areas Redfin

One Las Vegas complex to increasing homeowners association fee by over 100% (NV)

As more Americans look to jump from renting to buying a home, more properties require you to cover a homeowners association fee.  NPR said the

Pasco debris update: HOA one-time pass-through (FL)

FEMA has approved ONE-TIME debris removal for homeowners' associations (HOAs) and gated communities in Pasco County. This is an opportunity to have storm debris picked

Woodmoor Park community concerned over possible increase of HOA fees (CO)

People who live in the Woodmoor Park community of Monument say the Homeowners Association's budget proposal for next year is concerning.  The property management company

Officials investigating condo fire in Plymouth, burn ban remains in effect for southern VT counties

Fire crews in southern Vermont are continuing to battle fires in dry conditions. On Monday, crews were battling a three-alarm fire on Grand View Lodge

Condo & HOA Informational Articles

Understanding the responsibilities of being a board member

Condoleezza Rice once said, "Public service is a privilege. It's not about you. It's about people who need your help." This sentiment encapsulates the fundamental principle that guides individuals who serve as board members in Florida condominiums and homeowners' associations. Board members are not honorary ciphers, they are leaders entrusted

Committee collaboration: How effective teamwork ensures community success

Committees play a crucial role in the success of community associations, offering valuable support to both board members and community managers, but effective committee collaboration requires good communication and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities. Without communication and clarity, it can be a constant tug of war between boards

Reasonable Accomodations (IL)

For years, owners and occupants have had the right to request reasonable accommodations or modifications from community associations to allow disabled individuals to fully use and enjoy their units, with assistance animal requests being the most common. Starting January 1, 2025, a new section (18.12) of the Illinois Condominium Property

How Your HOA Can Make a Difference (CA)

Lawns were once the quintessential landscape of many communities, including Homeowners’ Associations. However, as we face a rapidly changing climate and increasingly severe droughts, we need to start transitioning to a more sustainable form of landscaping.  That’s why Valley Water encourages all Homeowners Associations (HOA) to convert non-functional grass lawns

Ho, Ho, Horrible! Holiday Decorations May Create Legal Land Mines for Condominium Association Boards

Do you hear what I hear?  Holiday music is already playing everywhere.  Children are creating pages-long lists of the gifts they want. And association board members are envisioning the holiday decorations – from the divine to the detestable – that owners will want to display and wondering what on earth

Creative Ways For Co-op and Condo Boards to Balance Their Budgets

In their quest to balance budgets, many co-op and condo boards rely, with reluctance, on one of two unappetizing options: raising monthly charges or levying an assessment. But there are more palatable ways for boards to balance their budgets.     Read the article..................................

Maintaining Quiet Hours During Thanksgiving: A Friendly Reminder From Your HOA

When celebrating Turkey Day this year, it’s important for you to remember quiet hours during Thanksgiving. If you live in a homeowners association community, there’s a good chance that you have certain rules to follow, including noise rules. Violating these rules can lead to several consequences, such as notices, fines,

Community Association Considerations

Why you should pay special attention to closing your books this year
Community Associations Network
I’ve been posting the condo and HOA news for over 20 years now.  During the first 6 years, I might have run across 3 or  4 cases  of people stealing
Flags, Signs and Displays
Community Associations Network
Flags, signs and displays have become major areas of contention in condo's and HOA's.  Actually they have always been, but with the divisiveness the country is going through now, it's

Industry News

Condominium Associates, Precedent Hospitality & Moore
Community Associations Network
Last year, there was $3.1 billion lost to fraud. Those were
CCMC Announces Strategic Investment from Charlesbank
Community Associations Network
CCMC ("CCMC” or the "Company”), a leading community association management company,
CINC Systems Announces Formation of Client
Community Associations Network
CINC Systems, the leading software solutions provider for the community association

Legal & Legislative Articles

New Year, New Rules: Navigating Illinois’ 2025 Accessible Parking Mandate for Condos

A substantial change is on its way for Illinois Condominium Associations beginning January 1, 2025. This is a new transformative approach to accessible parking for residents with disabilities.  Here is what the new rule means and

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Holds Community Association Not Liable for Discriminatory Remarks Made by Board President (IL)

Community associations are required to comply with the federal Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act protects owners and occupants in community associations from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and

Judge Allows Santa Monica to Cross Complain Against HOA in Flooding Suit (CA)

A judge has granted the city of Santa Monica’s motion to file a cross-complaint against a homeowners association that is a spinoff of a lawsuit brought against the city by a condominium owner and his tenant,

Florida’s new legislative leadership says no to special session on condo crisis

Florida's new legislative leadership shot down speculation of a special session to address an affordability crisis among condo owners, despite urging from Gov. Ron DeSantis for one to be convened by the end of the year. 

Who Owns it Anyway? The Uncommon Issues Unique to Mechanic’s Liens For Common Elements of a Condominium

Contractors, subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers who perform work or labor upon or furnish materials in furtherance of any improvement undertaken by virtue of a contract with an owner, part owner, or lessee have mechanic’s lien

My Safe Florida Condo gets mixed reactions as pilot program rolls out

The condo version of the My Safe Florida Home program is now officially up and running, open to condo associations for grants to make storm-related improvements.  "There's a very overwhelming concern and understanding that we need

Op/Ed

CAI Local Update- ADU Success in California

CAI continues to advocate at the local level to track bills and ordinances in addition to those at the state and federal level. Alongside state legislative action committees, CAI can ensure the power and rights of

How the law can help build better neighborhoods

The law helped create and protect exclusionary neighborhoods — and so, lawyers must be part of the solution to build better, happier communities, argues Harvard Law School Professor Maureen Brady.  In a lecture last week celebrating

A $500 Fine for a Sandwich: HOAs and Arbitrary Rules

Last year, on the day of my late husband's memorial service, I got hit with a $500 fine for my guest eating at the pool, which is against the condo bylaws. No warning. No exceptions —

Another storm for condos

The tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside in June 2021 was a defining moment for Florida. Ninety-eight lives were lost, and the devastation rippled across communities throughout the nation.  In the wake

Everybody Hates HOAs

HOA officials and board members are probably invited to neighborhood Christmas parties even less often than IRS agents. We hate getting letters from either of the bastards, let’s just be honest. But it’s kind of silly

Florida’s condo crisis: Is it bad enough to call a special legislative session?

The unintended consequences of the state's new law designed to ensure the safety of condo buildings is being felt throughout the state.  While the vast majority of those affected buildings are in Palm Beach, Broward and

Canada Condo, Strata & HOA News

Condo Smarts: Strata council needs support — not hostility (BC)
Community Associations Network
What happens if nobody is willing to serve on a strata council? Our council members are volunteers and every time they try to enforce a bylaw or address an issue, they are
Burnaby condo owner fights off $30K in strata fines for son’s piano playing (BC)
Community Associations Network
The strata at a Burnaby apartment highrise has been ordered to reverse more than $30,000 in noise bylaw fines it handed out for piano practice sounds coming from one of its units.  Read
Condo Smarts: Demand for electricity is testing capacity (BC)
Community Associations Network
Dear Tony: Our strata of 72 units just completed its electric planning report and we have an issue with available power. We are a low-rise building in Vancouver and since 2015 about

Canada Condo, Strata & HOA Articles

Understanding the Fiduciary Duties of a Condominium Board (ON)
Community Associations Network
The board of directors is an important—and required—aspect of any condominium corporation. Comprised of elected volunteers who live in the community, the condominium board is responsible for overseeing the community’s operations and
Holiday Decorations in Condos (ON)
Community Associations Network
The holiday season brings joy, community spirit, and festive decorations, but it can also present unique challenges for condo managers and board members. Understanding how to handle holiday decorations effectively is crucial
Since its first condo in 1970 Vancouver has become the poster city for a global phenomenon (BC)
Community Associations Network
The city of Vancouver’s first condominium complex is a modest, pleasant-looking six-storey building.  Built in 1970 at 5350 Balsam, it continues to provide 24 units on a quiet, leafy street in the

International Condo, Strata & HOA News

Australia: New Strata Laws Aim to Simplify and Safeguard Living (NSW)

The Minns Labor Government has introduced its third wave of strata reforms to the NSW Parliament today, continuing its work to confront the state's housing challenges and address cost of

Malaysia: Over 130,000 Strata Titles in Selangor Still Unresolved

A total of 138,817 high-rise residential units across Selangor have been identified as still lacking strata titles, the Selangor State Assembly was informed today. State Housing and Culture Committee chairman

Australia: State publishes strata guide for residents (NSW)

NSW has released a strata living guide for residents that includes details of law changes taking effect in February to strengthen disclosure obligations.  The guide also provides practical information on