Condo & HOA News Items
Community Associations Institute, the leading international authority on the community association housing model; including condominium associations, homeowners associations, and housing cooperatives, filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of the Treasury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia challenging the federal Corporate Transparency Act. This lawsuit seeks to exempt community associations from burdensome reporting requirements that CAI argues are incompatible with nonprofit, volunteer-run organizations. .
Somerset Park repairs are coming, but how did it come to this? Where did the money go? We have the answers (NV)
While the city will be replacing the leaky system at Somerset Park, why did the city have to supply the cash? It's all about missing
Residents try to slow condo tower’s descent into “hotel hell” (GA)
A Downtown condominium tower has almost everything: great location, swimming pool and prime views of Atlanta's skyline. But permanent residents say the building's glut of
Solve It 7: Condo Check (MA)
A group of Beverly condo owners were fed up when their finances were mishandled, so they demanded their money back. When that didn’t happen, they
Danbury firefighters rescue 5 residents, cat from Triangle Street condo blaze, department says (CT)
The Danbury Fire Department said on Facebook that the fire broke out in Building B at around 3:17 p.m. and firefighters responded shortly after. The
Detail of year-end fund reports in question (IL)
Q. Under the Illinois Common Interest Community Association Act (“CICAA”), regarding the year-end summary for the budget year, does the board of directors need to
Owners at a Florida golf community with three courses may lose their $30,000 initial buy-in equity
Owners at Hunters Run may soon have to give up the equity or refund they were promised when they initially bought at the golf course
Sign pleading for kindness draws ire of Quail Creek POA (AZ)
Last Wednesday, with a little more than 60 days left until Americans casts its vote for the next president, Quail Creek resident Mike Conley put
Could Florida condo owners get relief anytime soon?
The costs associated with living in a condo in Florida have skyrocketed in recent years, prompting Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold a roundtable discussion this
The mayor who worries condo reforms could lead to an economic catastrophe (FL)
Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan thinks Gov. Ron DeSantis and lawmakers should go back to work soon to address reforms for condo associations. Ryan calls the
Woman who embezzled more than $375K from Upper Gwynedd employer gets probation (PA)
A Berks County woman who stole more than $375,000 from her Upper Gwynedd employer avoided being sentenced to jail time on felony theft-related charges and
Hawaii condo owners starting to feel insurance rates increase
Many condo and townhouse owners are starting to pay up for the increased maintenance fees due to skyrocketing insurance costs. A KHON2 view contacted us
‘This is not right’: Albuquerque police investigating HOA president’s paychecks
Members of an Albuquerque homeowner association are now paying much closer attention to what the association is doing with their money. And they want other
Condo & HOA Informational Articles
Navigating Community Association Insurance in a Tough Market (IL)
KSN attorney Omar Malik and Greg Rosenthal (Partner at BKS Partners/Rosenthal Brothers) discuss navigating community insurance for your condo, homeowner (HOA), and townhome associations in a tough market. They address the different types of community association insurance coverage including, property, liability, directors and officer (D&O). Listen to the podcast................................
What Is Loss Assessment Coverage?
Loss assessment coverage is specialized insurance for property owners in shared communities like condominiums or those with HOAs. It offers financial protection when unexpected costs arise from unforeseen damage or liability in common areas or buildings shared by all property owners. Read the article..................................
How To Deal With Collecting HOA Delinquencies
There are few things more basic to a homeowners association than the fees it takes to keep the place running. When one or more owners default in the payment of fees, the impact is felt by all. And the longer the delinquency, the deeper the cut. It is a situation
Assessments and Fees: What Homeowners Should Know About HOA Finances (AZ)
For Arizona homeowners, understanding how their Homeowners’ Association (HOA) handles assessments and fees is crucial for both financial planning and maintaining harmony within their community. These payments play a vital role in the upkeep of shared spaces and amenities, as well as ensuring the neighborhood runs smoothly. However, it’s equally
Flood insurance and condo associations: Dispelling 5 myths
Flood insurance might not be on the minds of your condominium association clients, but here is why it should be.....As the number and intensity of hurricanes increases and extreme rain events become more frequent, the risk of flood disasters escalates for many of the condominium community associations in the United
Winter Checklist for your Community Association (IL)
Winter maintenance and preparation are essential for condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome associations in cold climates to ensure safety and comfort. Proactive autumn tasks, such as maintaining landscaping, clearing gutters, and preparing irrigation equipment, can minimize winter risks. Read the article..................................
The Role of Technology in Community Management
In today's technology-driven world, the management of community associations has evolved significantly. Technology is not only reshaping personal and professional interactions but also revolutionizing how communities are managed. While modern technology offers innovative solutions that streamline processes and foster better connections among your residents, it is important to be aware
Community Association Considerations
Flags, Signs and Displays
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
Electric Vehicles – Still an Unsolved Issue
In 2011 I wrote an article for Common Ground, the national magazine for the Community Associations Institute (CAI). In looking at it, not much ground has been covered since then.
Industry News
California Association of Community Managers (CACM)
The California Association of Community Managers (CACM) is excited to announce
Stepping Forward Together: TMG Cares’ 2024
As the back-to-school season approaches, TMG Cares is proud to announce
HOA / Condo Association Management Group
Six students have been awarded $1000 scholarships from Association Management Group
Legal & Legislative Articles
Community Associations Institute Files Lawsuit to Exempt Community Associations from Federal Corporate Transparency Act
Community Associations Institute, the leading international authority on the community association housing model; including condominium associations, homeowners associations, and housing cooperatives, filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of the Treasury in the U.S. District
Corporate Transparency Act Update
The Federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) took effect on January 1, 2024. While the new requirement has undergone various challenges and legal cases, it remains in effect. Entities required to comply with the CTA’s disclosure filing
Navigating HB 1203: Changes Impacting Homeowners’ Associations in Florida
On July 1, 2024, CS/CS/HB 1203 became effective, which created significant changes impacting homeowners’ associations (“HOA”) in Florida. Those changes include new educational requirements for community association managers and HOA directors, access to certain HOA records,
Division on Civil Rights Announce Enforcement Actions for Alleged Harassment in Housing Based on National Origin and Sex (NJ)
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced today that DCR has issued Findings of Probable Cause in a matter where a resident living in a condominium at The Summit in
Homeowners Win Key Ruling in Baldwin Sewer Rate Lawsuit (AL)
The Alabama Supreme Court has denied Baldwin County Sewer Service, LLC’s (BCSS) petition for a writ of mandamus in a long-running legal battle over a sewer rate increase. The decision, delivered on September 6, 2024, stems
Rally for HOA reform heading to Colorado State Capitol
Holly Crystal says her homeowners association in Frisco has been in turmoil for years. Court records show she has fought a long legal battle after she said her four-house HOA granted themselves an easement on her
Op/Ed
Coverage of HOA’s Collections Efforts Fosters Negative Image of Associations
Horror stories about life under the rule of a community association are not hard to find. New Florida laws governing associations’ imposition of certain fines were enacted this year and are now in effect, largely as
‘How I Got My Feet Wet—Literally—Adjusting to a Home With an HOA’
Growing up in New York, I had never even encountered an HOA. Yet after moving to the Midwest, I learned that basically all homes belong to one. It was a club I had to join. At
Ad nauseum: The impact of language injustice (WA)
Not only does she bear this hardship in the legal system, she also must carry the weight of having been victimized by an entity that should have protected her, her homeowners association. The inequities in the
While Florida’s 3rd DCA sits on the Biscayne 21 case, the condo market is collapsing
The condo market is entering a free fall. Unit owners are running out of time — and options. Meanwhile, Florida’s 3rd District Court of Appeals sits on a case that could unleash new opportunities for unit
Homeowners associations in Florida, opportunities for lasting reform
For many Floridians, living within a Homeowners Association (HOA) can feel like navigating a complex web of rules and regulations that often seem more restrictive than beneficial or sometimes even predatory. A recent survey conducted by
San Diego Country Estates homeowners are not ‘customers’ (CA)
The San Diego Country Estates HOA board recently voted to eliminate quarterly guest passes and 10% food discounts. While distressing, it is not unexpected. This board doesn’t seem to understand the nature of our HOA. As
Canada Condo, Strata & HOA News
Burnaby strata has to allow Great Dane in building with no-dogs policy: tribunal (BC)
Lawrence Lee got an exemption from his Metrotown strata's no-pets rule when he owned a Yorkshire Terrier. The Civil Resolution Tribunal has ruled the strata can't reverse the exemption just because he
Waterloo condo board ordered to pay $15,000 for acting unreasonably over dogs (ON)
A Waterloo couple has been awarded $15,000 for hardships they endured in a condominium dispute that began over two dogs that sometimes bark. Condo owner Claudia Baha hopes the ruling by a
B.C. fire chiefs say building code change a danger to new condo residents
B.C. fire chiefs are fighting a new provincial rule that halves the number of fire escapes required in some multi-unit residential buildings. Read the article..................................
Canada Condo, Strata & HOA Articles
Standard Units – A Refresher (ON)
In most condominium corporations, the Declaration says that the owners must repair their units. So in other words, in most cases Item 2 above does not apply. In the most common situation
B.C. Court of Appeal Finds Strata Corporations Lack Standing to Sue Under REDMA
In Findlay v. The Owners, Strata EPS401,[1] the BC Court of Appeal ruled that BC strata corporations lack standing to bring claims under section 22 of the Real Estate Development Marketing Act
Balancing the Scales: The Impact of Peel Condominium Corporation No. 94 v. Cooper on Pet Policies and Enforcement
The recent ruling by the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) in the case of Peel Condominium Corporation No. 94 v. Cooper provides critical insights into the enforcement of condominium rules and the responsibilities
International Condo, Strata & HOA News
Australia: Many strata managers who handle apartments are conflicted: here’s how
Ten of Australia’s leading consumer groups have now written to the federal treasurer calling for an urgent inquiry into Australia’s strata management industry. The open letter from Choice, the Owners
Uganda: Homeowners expose deeper scandals involving real estate developers
Last month, Inspector General of Government Beti Kamya, revealed the findings from an investigation into condominiums. According to the report, the sampled units showed several defects, including cracked ceilings and
Australia: Steadfast in damage control as ‘kickback’ allegations on strata insurance refuted
Australian insurance broking giant Steadfast Group (ASX: SDF) is in damage control after a Four Corners investigation revealed damning allegations that the company misled clients by participating in “undisclosed schemes