Condo & HOA News Items

/ Owner
May 17, 2025

I learned more about governance failure from my neighborhood HOA than from most boardrooms I’ve analyzed. I live in a small annex of houses along the edge of a more extensive residential complex. We are formally members of the homeowner’s association. The drawback here is that there is no clubhouse, pool, landscaping, or snow removal. There isn’t a single service offered. Still, we pay annual dues like everyone else.

Our condo board refuses to erect a flagpole. Can owners petition to override the decision? (FL)

Question: I have resided in an HOA for the past 16 years. I suggested to our board of directors that we install a flagpole so

Is a Condo Really Worth It Right Now? This Buyer Decided to Take the Plunge

There are a lot of reasons not to buy a condominium these days. Gordon Miller did it anyway. He looked past the homeowners-association dues that

Trump Seeks to Dismantle Popular Energy Star Efficiency Ratings (NY)

In their unending drive to reduce energy consumption and costs, most residents of New York City co-ops and condos, including the boards that govern their

After 20 years of HOA Homefront, here are 21 tips for healthier communities

After more than 750 columns and as the column enters its 21st year, here are 21 suggestions on HOAs becoming more positive communities. How many

Clearwater condo residents to be allowed back into their homes (FL)

Residents of the South Beach III condo in Clearwater have been given the green light from engineers to return to the building, exactly one week

HOA Q&A: Is a structural integrity reserve study required for 2-story condominiums? (FL)

Q: Although a 2-story condominium community is not subject to the milestone inspection report or the structural integrity reserve study, we are still required to

“Thousands Of Cracks”: Condo Owners Take NYC Developers To Court

Multiple owners of condominiums in a luxury tower on Billionaires' Row in New York City have charged the developers with "deliberate and far-reaching fraud" after

Judge issues restraining order forcing utility service to turn on water for DeKalb condo owner (GA)

aroline Simmons says the abrupt water shut-offs for condo owners at the Waldrop Place Condominiums are illegal. “We have about 47 units that did not

Devastating condo fire still has scars for Hampton family (VA)

Sylvia Burris recently got married, but she called it bittersweet after what she’s been through, with her condo one of six that were destroyed in

CBS 17 Investigates: NC homeowner’s associations and buyers beware

We are in the middle of “homebuying season” and there are many items people have on their dream home wish lists. One may be living

Large alligator wrangled, relocated from condo community (FL)

A 7-foot gator was caught in a condo complex, according to the Temple Terrace Police Department.   Video news report..........................

Brickell condo owners push Miami to crack down on illegal short-term rentals (FL)

Condo owners in Miami's Brickell neighborhood are calling on city officials to step up enforcement against short-term rentals, which they say are disrupting their high-rise

Condo & HOA Informational Articles

Plants never to grow in a front yard to avoid HOA fines

Your home may be your castle, but if it’s part of a homeowners association (HOA), consider your home’s front-facing landscape to be governed by someone other than you. An HOA is an organization within a residential community such as a subdivision or planned development, that creates and enforces rules for

Implied Warranty of Habitability in Illinois Condominiums…..

In Illinois, the implied warranty of habitability serves as a fundamental protection for condominium purchasers, ensuring that newly constructed units and their common elements meet basic standards of safety and livability. This doctrine holds developers accountable for latent defects that compromise the habitability of a property. Over the years, Illinois

Should Your Community Association Have A Lifeguard?

A community pool is a great amenity, offering residents a place to relax, exercise, and socialize. But with any water-based activity comes safety concerns. One of the biggest questions HOA and condo association board members face is whether to hire a lifeguard. While a lifeguard enhances safety, hiring one can

In South Florida, when ICE comes knocking, how should your HOA react?

From ICE’s perspective, your community may be a “target-rich” environment. Hundreds of residents may employ nannies, landscapers and housekeepers. Contractors may work onsite with teams of employees, or the association may employ staff directly.   Read the article (PDF)..................................

What A Broken HOA Taught Me About Corporate Governance

I learned more about governance failure from my neighborhood HOA than from most boardrooms I’ve analyzed. I live in a small annex of houses along the edge of a more extensive residential complex. We are formally members of the homeowner’s association. The drawback here is that there is no clubhouse,

Noise Complaint Do’s and Don’ts for Associations

One of the common issues that condominium and homeowners association directors face entails responding to noise complaints. Barking dogs, loud music, disruptive parties, crying infants, and other sources of noise can, and often do, lead to complaints from neighbors who wish to enjoy restful peace and quiet in their abodes. 

Is Pond and Lake Algae Bloom Dangerous? (FL)

Warm weather often comes with an increase in algal blooms in our waterways. Algae is a nuisance – it can grow in slimy, smelly mats, create eyesores, and entangle swimmers and fishing hooks. Rather than creating places to connect with neighbors, watch beautiful sunsets, and host fun activities, waterbodies containing

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

Pando Electric Partners with Associa for
Community Associations Network
Pando Electric, a leader in multifamily EV charging solutions, has announced
Community Associations Institute Hosts 2025 Annual
Community Associations Network
Community Associations Institute, the leading international authority of resources and information
AssociationNation: A Community Association Website at
Community Associations Network
AssociationNation, a dedicated platform committed to serving Connecticut’s community associations, is

Legal & Legislative Articles

Florida High Court Lets Stand Ruling on Damage Estimates in Supplemental Claims

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday declined to consider a petition in a condominium insurance case, leaving in place conflicting rulings from Florida appeals courts. The non-decision in American Coastal Insurance vs. Patios West One Condominium

Navigating HB?3746 A: New Repose Periods, Moisture Testing, and HOA Rules in Oregon

What developers, insurers, lenders, and others should know about this pending legislation in Oregon.   Oregon's condominium sector has seen a significant decline in new construction over the past decade, prompting renewed legislative interest in how these

The Florida Legislature just passed a 191-page bill that brings major changes for condo associations

The Florida Legislature ended in a real blockbuster way in regards to new condo legislation. In the end The Florida House and The Florida Senate agreed on ONE BIG BILL that is 191 pages long. It

New Federal Case Addresses Related Claims Under Executive Protection Policy (NY)

As the saying goes, we cannot choose the family to whom we are related. But courts across the country regularly grapple with choosing whether multiple lawsuits and other insurance claims are indeed related, including most recently

Bill to Raise Co-op and Condo Carbon Emission Caps Has Lost Traction (NY)

What a difference a year makes. Last April, middle-class co-op and condo residents — especially those living in garden complexes — cheered when city council member Linda Lee introduced Intro 772, a bill designed to soften

What’s Law Got to Do with It? (CO)

The 2025 Colorado Legislative Session is in full swing, folks! And, in what has become the norm, there are a number of pending legislative bills that affect community associations. We are tracking some of the key

Op/Ed

Minnesota has a chance to reform HOAs

As organizations dedicated to affordable homeownership across Minnesota, we believe Homeowner Association reforms are urgently needed to protect homeowners. We urge the Minnesota Legislature to pass proposed HOA reform legislation this session.   Read the article..................................

Civic apathy isn’t just a national problem (NV)

More than half of all homeowners in Nevada live under the governance of a homeowners association (HOA). That’s over a million people—neighbors, families, retirees—subject to the decisions of elected boards that regulate everything from landscaping to

Minnesota has a chance to reform HOAs

As organizations dedicated to affordable homeownership across Minnesota, we believe Homeowner Association reforms are urgently needed to protect homeowners. We urge the Minnesota Legislature to pass proposed HOA reform legislation this session.    Read the article..................................

Florida condo owners face safety, structural reforms. They’ll look like this | Opinion

Following the devastating collapse of Champlain Towers South in 2021, Florida has undertaken the most sweeping condo safety reforms in the state’s history. These new regulations, while aimed at preventing another tragedy, have also placed significant

Opinion: Construction defect laws make condos scarce in San Diego, state (CA)

The dream of affordable homeownership is increasingly out of reach for middle-class households in California. This is not just because of soaring prices, but also an invisible barrier — outdated construction defect laws have made condos

Investor who snagged Denver home for $23,524 can do the right thing with a deal too good to be true (Editorial) (CO)

We all know the saying — if a deal seems too good to be true, it is. Christophe Attard scored a Denver home worth at least $300,000 in a 2021 foreclosure auction for a mere $23,524.

Canada Condo, Strata & HOA News

Best way to get rid of our neighbour’s untamed dogs? (BC)
Community Associations Network
Dear Tony: We have an owner with two aggressive dogs. One of the dogs recently escaped their back yard and attacked a neighbour’s dog. While the dog was not injured, it did
Vancouver condo market shows signs of crashing (BC)
Community Associations Network
The demand for new condos in Canada is dwindling, leaving landlords to compete for the attention of potential tenants. As Salmaan Farooqui writes, it’s a sign that concerns about the Canadian economy
Newsflash: What to Do with Condo Notices if Canada Post Goes on Strike
Community Associations Network
With a possible Canada Post strike on the horizon, condominium corporations must consider how to comply with the service of notice requirements of the Condominium Act, 1998 (the Act) when mail service

Canada Condo, Strata & HOA Articles

HOA Grants
Community Associations Network
Did you know that your HOA might be eligible for a grant? A grant is a sum of money given by an entity (grantor), often a government body, charitable foundation or a
Subdivision and Strata Conversion – Guidelines for subdividing properties (BC)
Community Associations Network
If you want to divide a property into smaller lots or combine (consolidate) two lots and then split them up again, you need to apply for a subdivision.  In Whistler, the process
How to Prepare Your Home for a Flood Maintenance & Repair Safety & Security (ON)
Community Associations Network
If you live in a condominium corporation, getting your home and community ready for floods can help protect your family and property. Read on for tips on how to prepare for a

International Condo, Strata & HOA News

Bahamas: Delaporte Point battle over Airbnb rental ban

A western New Providence gated community is battling a furious revolt by a group of homeowners who are accusing it of seeking to ban Airbnb-style short-term vacation rentals within its

Ukraine: Oschadbank launches ‘communal’ platform for homeowners’ associations: payment of bills, voting in Diya

The innovative web service 'My ??' was created by Oschadbank for homeowners' associations and management companies. This digital platform makes the process of managing residential properties transparent, convenient, and accessible

Brazil: Condominium in Rio Calls Assembly to Vote on $316 Fee to Drug Traffickers

The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro will investigate a report that residents of a condominium in Madureira, in the northern zone of the city, are being coerced into paying