With budget season and the Structural Integrity Reserves Study (SIRS) deadline fast approaching, condominium associations should already be considering how they will implement SIRS-related obligations and the timing in which funding will begin. Condominium associations that haven’t yet obtained their SIRS should already be making arrangements to do so prior to the end of the […]
The Effects of Snowmelt on Buildings and Building Materials (IL)
Chicago winters are notorious for their harsh conditions, with freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and frequent freeze-thaw cycles. As snow and ice accumulate on building surfaces, such as driveways, parking garages, roofs, and sidewalks, the snowmelt process introduces significant challenges for building materials like concrete, asphalt, metal, and wood. The extreme weather fluctuations, combined with the […]
Villa Del Sol condos in St. Lucie County deemed unsafe, residents in limbo after evacuation (FL)
Residents were ordered to evacuate their homes immediately on Aug. 8 after an inspection showed dangerous structural damage in three of the six Villa Del Sol condominium buildings at 11000 S. Ocean Drive on Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County. Inspectors found numerous large cracks in the concrete as well as disintegrating rebar and large […]
Judge rules residents of fire-damaged condo high-rise must vacate by October 15 (OH)
After two fires broke out at Hammond North Condominiums in two years leaving the 19-story building damaged, residents filed a lawsuit to fight the condo association’s methods for handling repairs, including forcing condo owners to vacate while construction happens. Read the article…………………………….
Residents forced to evacuate Fort Lauderdale condominium after building reportedly deemed unsafe (FL)
Residents of a condo in Fort Lauderdale have been forced to leave their building after a structural engineer reportedly deemed it unsafe. The last-minute notice happened as Hurricane Helene is set to make landfall in Florida. Residents of Springbrook Gardens at 125 North Birch Road were told to evacuate, Thursday. Read the article…………………………….
Residential Roof Essentials: Types, Maintenance, Best Practices, and More
At the base of Maslow’s hierarchy lie the physiological needs humans cannot live without – food, water, clothing, sleep, and shelter. There are many ways to describe “shelter,” but it’s incredibly fitting that among the most common is “a roof over your head.” Walls are great, a floor is preferred, but without a roof, what […]
Legal Considerations for Renovating Common Areas in Condominiums (TX)
Updating and renovating common areas in a condominium complex can enhance property values, improve residents’ quality of life, and attract new buyers. However, these projects often involve navigating a complex web of legal requirements and considerations. This article will explore the key legal aspects to keep in mind when planning common area renovations in Texas. […]
40- and 50-Year Inspections: What You Need to Know (FL)
Florida’s milestone inspections law, passed in the wake of the Champlain Towers collapse in 2021, goes into effect this year. The law requires that all buildings that are three stories high or taller conduct an inspection when the building turns 30 years old and conduct a reinspection every 10 years thereafter for recertification. Read the […]
Preparing Your Building for Fall: A Guide for Condo Associations (IL)
While summer temperatures may persist into the fall season, condo associations need to prepare their buildings for the upcoming winter. Preparing your building for fall and winter involves a combination of routine maintenance, safety checks, and proactive measures to address the unique challenges that the colder weather can bring. From inspecting the roof to reviewing […]
All residents of Heron Pond, condo complex deemed unsafe, must leave by today (FL)
Time has run out for any residents left in a Broward County condominium. People living in Heron Pond Condominium have to be out by the end of Thursday. The saga began in August of 2023, when residents in over half of the buildings at the condo complex were ordered out after the city of Pembroke […]
Clock ticks for residents of Pembroke Pines condo complex as deadline to leave looms (FL)
Residents of the Heron Pond condominium complex in Pembroke Pines have only one weekend left to get their belongings out and evacuate. The complex is starting to feel like a ghost town, with only a few residents’ vehicles left. “We didn’t expect that they would tell us all of a sudden that we need to […]
Strandview Condominium demolition underway (FL)
Demolition work is underway on Fort Myers Beach. Crews are knocking down the Strandview Condominiums. The condos have been sitting untouched since Hurricane Ian. While it’s not known what will fill the lot, people who owned condos in the building are asking questions. Read the article…………………………….
This is how many condo buildings have been inspected in Palm Beach County (FL)
WPTV investigative reporter Dave Bohman is digging into how many condominiums have actually had their mandated safety inspections in Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast Read the article…………………………….
Millennium Tower owners could face $10k fine for open windows (CA)
Owners of the troubled Millennium Tower could soon face hefty fines — simply for leaving their windows open at the wrong time. The tower, notorious for its leaning and sinking, has been dealing with separate window problems dating back to before February 2020. That’s when an open window broke free in high winds and plunged […]
Understanding Concrete Corrosion: Causes, Signs, and Impacts
Corrosion in concrete structures is a critical issue that can significantly impact the safety and longevity of buildings. This post explores the causes of concrete corrosion, its visible signs, and the potential impacts on structural integrity. Read the article…………………………….
There is More to S2760 (NJ)
Most people in the community association world are now aware of New Jersey’s Senate Bill S2760, commonly known as the Structural Integrity and Reserve Act (“Act”). This legislation introduces crucial provisions for condominium and cooperative buildings, addressing structural integrity, mandating periodic inspections, and improving reserve funding requirements. As community associations prepare for the transition from […]
Experts weigh in on fate of three condo buildings found structurally unsafe (FL)
Following the evacuation of three condo buildings in St. Lucie County, WPBF is taking a deep dive into recently released videos and records detailing the damage. The videos are from an inspection on the condominiums at Villa del Sol and were taken by the inspector on site. Read the article…………………………….
Aventura Tightens Building Safety After Commodore Plaza Fails Recertification (FL)
The City of Aventura is enforcing stricter building safety measures after Commodore Plaza failed its 40-year recertification due to structural issues. The city issued a Notice of Violation and is working with officials to ensure repairs, while expanding inspections and proposing stricter safety regulations. Read the article…………………………….
‘COMPLETELY CRACKED’: New video shows severity of foundation at Villa Del Sol condos in Jensen Beach (FL)
WPTV has obtained new information and video that gives us a closer look at what prompted St. Lucie County inspectors to evacuate a Jensen Beach condo complex last week over safety concerns. Late Monday afternoon, the St. Lucie County Office of Communications released a video through a public records request to WPTV Reporter Ethan Stein […]
Sinking condo in Hamden highlights gaps in home insurance coverage in CT, officials say
Nearly everywhere Vanessa Brown looks inside her withering condominium on Pine Rock Avenue, she sees traces of the torment she has endured there over the last decade. Built on poorly compacted fill dirt, the foundation of Brown’s home, which belongs to the Pine Rock Condos complex, has been settling for decades, compromising its structural stability […]
Three condo buildings evacuated in Jensen Beach due to engineering report deeming them unsafe (FL)
Three buildings inside a St. Lucie County community were evacuated Thursday afternoon after an inspection determined the buildings were unsafe. The property manager at Villa del Sol in Jensen Beach sent an email to residents alerting them to the findings of the inspection and telling them they had to evacuate. Read the article…………………………….
Aventura high-rise fails to comply with 40-year recertification, residents wonder what’s next (FL)
Residents living in an Aventura high-rise wonder if it’s safe to stay after the Commodore Plaza received a violation from the city saying it failed to comply with the 40-year recertification. Residents tell CBS News Miami they pay over a thousand monthly in association fees and question how this could happen. Read the article…………………………….
New California law adds more experts to HOAs balcony inspection list
A new law signed recently in Sacramento will expand the field of experts eligible to inspect balconies or “exterior elevated elements” at California homeowners associations. Civil Code Section 5551 requires that all HOAs inspect elevated elements by Dec. 31, 2024. That statute requires the inspection to be conducted by a licensed architect or structural engineer, […]
Residents of a Pembroke Pines condo community deemed unsafe ordered to evacuate (FL)
The remaining residents of a condominium community deemed unsafe in Pembroke Pines have been given roughly a month to leave. Last year, unsafe structure notices were issued for seven buildings within the Heron Pond Condominium community, 8400 SW 1st Street, that have since been fully evacuated. Additionally, specific units in the seven other buildings were […]
Hundreds of Tampa Bay area condo buildings face looming inspection deadline (FL)
The deadly Surfside Condo collapse in 2021 sparked statewide urgency to meet new safety requirements. But right now, hundreds of condo buildings in the Tampa Bay area are on a deadline. Florida condos have just five months to complete re-inspections by December 31, but some of them may not make it for a variety of […]
Faulty concrete found in massive condo community in Boston suburbs (MA)
More crumbling concrete found in Massachusetts, and this time, it’s been discovered in a massive condo community not far from Boston. Those who live there say it’s a warning sign for everyone in the state, and Beacon Hill must finally take action to help struggling homeowners financially. The size of some cracks is frightening as […]
Effective Strategies to Keep Your Condo Building Cool in the Summer
As temperatures rise in Chicago during the summer months, keeping buildings cool becomes a top priority for both comfort and energy efficiency. This post will explore various methods to maintain a pleasant indoor environment while also conserving energy. Read the article…………………………….
DOB Offering Free, No-Violation Building Inspections for Co-ops and Condos (NY)
Time is running out. Co-op and condo boards have until July 31 to sign up for the Department of Buildings’ (DOB) free, no-violation building inspections. This citywide initiative allows co-op and condo boards, homeowners, landlords and small business owners to call 311 to schedule a free, no-penalty visual inspection of various areas of their properties, […]
Laketown Wharf Evacuation Update (FL)
Residents in 63 units have returned to their units at Laketown Wharf on Front Beach Road. This comes after Panama City Beach officials issued a mandatory evacuation in April due to safety concerns about the structural integrity of the high-rise condominium. According to officials they received a complaint on April 4th from a guest about […]
Effective Strategies to Keep Your Condo Building Cool in the Summer (IL)
As temperatures rise in Chicago during the summer months, keeping buildings cool becomes a top priority for both comfort and energy efficiency. This post will explore various methods to maintain a pleasant indoor environment while also conserving energy. Read the article…………………………….
Surfside Beach condo building closes after officials find ‘structural deficiencies’ (SC)
Surfside Beach officials closed an oceanfront condo building after they determined it was unsafe because of “structural deficiencies.” Fire Marshal Keith Williams on July 1 announced the Sandfiddler at 813 S. Ocean Blvd., had been shuttered after his office, the town building inspector and an outside engineer found “inadequate means of egress and structural deficiencies.” […]
Charlotte County now requiring condo and co-op inspections for building 25-years or older (FL)
On the 3-year anniversary of the Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside, FL, many look to remember those lost and continue to learn from the tragedy. “The milestone inspection legislation,” said Shawn McNulty, building official and floodplain administrator with Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners. “This was legislation put in 2 years ago, mandating […]
ADUs: Strategic Solution to California’s Housing Shortage
Recent California laws enacted in 2023 and 2024, make it easier for homeowners to obtain permits for building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their lots. An ADU is an additional residential structure built on the same lot as a primary structure. These new California laws were enacted to increase the housing supply across the state, […]
City Council passes bill to inspect residential buildings for structural risks (NY)
The New York City Council has passed a bill requiring residential buildings, including co-ops and condos, to undergo routine inspections based on their structural risks. The bill supplements the Facade Inspection and Safety Program, formerly known as Local Law 11, which requires all buildings taller than six stories to undergo inspections and necessary repairs every […]
Structural maintenance: Fla. condominium prioritizes prevention
When the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla., partially collapsed three years ago this month, Daniel Gonzalez knew he had work to do at The Admiral’s Walk, the 18-story condominium in Boca Raton where he has served as manager since 2009. Gonzalez called Howard Somers, the condominium’s board president, to develop a plan to […]
Richmond Hill neighbors battle HOA over melting homes (GA)
Many people in Richmond Hill housing subdivisions say they’re dealing with siding on their homes melting in the sunlight. One woman says her homeowners association is stopping her from making a change to prevent it from happening again. Read the article…………………………….
‘Are we going to end up homeless?’ Chelmsford condo complex facing condemnation (MA)
Thirty families could soon end up without a home after the town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, found concerning structural damages at Milestone Condo. Many of the residents of the building on Chelmsford Street are low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. They now face a seemingly impossible task: find over a million dollars for the repairs […]
Vertical Subdivisions Receive Recognition in 2024 Amendments to the Condominium Act (FL)
This year’s extensive condominium bill CS/CS/CS/HB 1021 (“HB 1021”) containing amendments to the Condominium Act created a new Section 718.407 entitled “Condominiums created within a portion of a building or within a multiple parcel building.” It provides for, among other things, statutory recognition of what is known in the industry as a “vertical subdivision,” a […]
A Comprehensive Look at Building Safety Regulations and Florida Milestone Inspections
It often takes a crisis for society and government to react. Whether it be seat belts, smoking, or building safety, unfortunately, catastrophe can move the needle toward addressing public safety issues. This paper explores the events leading up to Florida Chapter 2023-203, the steps that impacted owners/developers/managers can take to ensure compliance, and how experts […]
Water damage in condo buildings (IL)
The irony. Your condo building stretches 20 storeys high, but it took less than 20 minutes for your floor to be engulfed by water. When a pipe bursts in a condo building, it doesn’t take long for the water to fill up hallways, stairwells and individual units. The incident may end quickly, but the effects […]
Engineers hired by Champlain Towers South go public with where they think first failure occurred (FL)
For the first time, engineers who investigated the collapse of Champlain Towers South are going public with the evidence they say points to where the first failure in the structure occurred just minutes before the building came down, killing 98 people. Engineers form the Chicago-based national engineering firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates were hired by […]
Owners at Closed Ocean City Condo Complex Appeal for Help (MD)
Frustrated owners at the shuttered Seaspray Condominiums appealed to Ocean City officials Thursday to get the complex reopened for the summer vacation season. For now, red tags have been slapped on the condo complex at 34th Street and Bay Avenue declaring that the buildings are currently “unsafe for human occupancy.” Read the article…………………………….
HOA Installs Mismatched Shingles
Dear Monty: We own a condo in the only four-unit building in our condo community. The rest are two-unit, three-unit or stand-alone condos. This is an upscale community. We had a roof leak, and the homeowners association paid for the repair, but they put on shingles that don’t match the rest of the roof. It […]
Uncovering Asbestos During Condo Refurbishment: Navigating Challenges and Options (ON)
Embarking on a major refurbishment project for a condominium is an exciting endeavor, promising revitalized spaces and enhanced living experiences for residents. However, amidst the renovation excitement, the discovery of asbestos can present a significant hurdle, requiring careful navigation and decisive action. Here, we explore the implications of finding asbestos during condo refurbishment, along with […]
Enhancing Condo Aesthetics: Window Replacement vs. Repainting Considerations (ON)
In the realm of condominium maintenance and improvement, decisions regarding windows and exterior aesthetics are crucial for maintaining property value and resident satisfaction. However, determining whether to replace windows or repaint them requires careful consideration of several factors unique to condo living. Here, we explore when it’s advisable to replace windows and when repainting is […]
Masonry Maintenance: A Comprehensive Guide for Condos and Community Associations
Masonry and brick buildings are beloved for their enduring class and elegance, but much like any beautiful thing that is to be long-lasting, they require continuous maintenance. For condominiums and community associations overseeing such buildings, implementing technically sound maintenance protocols is crucial for not only preserving aesthetics but also for optimizing costs long-term. Read the […]
Laketown Wharf evacuation latest (FL)
Several residents remain vacated after Panama City Beach officials issued a mandatory evacuation for Laketown Wharf on Front Beach Road. Residents in 63 units have until Saturday at 6 p.m. to pack their belongings and relocate due to a safety hazard. According to officials they received a complaint on April 4th from a guest about […]
The United States of Termites: How the Tiny, Traveling Pests Are Taking Over—And Where They’re Going Next
From stink bugs to ants and even ladybugs, there’s no shortage of pests that can terrorize and take over your home. Thankfully, some of the best pest control companies or DIY methods can help eradicate unwelcome visitors and infestations. Termites, however, are in a class of their own. When left unchecked, they are some of […]