A massive explosion of a condo in Warren sent smoke flames and debris in the air, causing significant damage throughout the neighborhood. Investigators have not yet determined whether it was accidental or intentional, but Warren Fire Commissioner Wilburt Skip McAdams confirms there were no issues with the gas lines or gas meters. Read the […]
Condo boards should address structural issues (MI)
Q: As a co-owner in a hi-rise condominium, the recent condominium collapse in Florida has me on edge. What do you recommend that condo boards and co-owners take away as lessons from this tragedy? Read the Q&A………………………………….
Neighbors emerge to help during massive flooding in Canton Township (MI)
As torrential rains pushed flood waters dangerously high in the streets and yards of Canton Township’s Woodlands of Chatterton Village condominium development during the early-morning hours June 26, resident James Garth took action. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA orders Saline dad to tear down tree house he built with his children (MI)
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to get creative. Parents found new ways to keep their children entertained. Greg Hohenberger built a treehouse for his children, which was a big hit in his neighborhood until it wasn’t. Read the entire article……………………………….
Should taxpayers foot the bill for restoring the Midland dams? (MI)
A group of Michigan legislators has introduced a bill package that would use public funds to rebuild the Sanford and Edenville dams and repair two upstream dams that were damaged in the floods, while enacting regulatory reforms designed to hold private dam owners accountable for maintaining their property. Read the entire article……………………………….
Oscoda Senior Condominium honors its residents who are veterans with event (MI)
Senior veterans living at the Oscoda Senior Condominiums were honored Sunday, May 30th with a dinner, awards, and live music. Several residents living at the condos cooked and provided a delicious dinner for the veterans. Plaques were made and awarded to each of the veterans. Read the entire article……………………………….
Can short term rentals be limited? (MI)
Q: Short-term rentals are becoming a big problem in our condominium association, especially during the holidays and summer, where leases may be for a week or less. Short-term tenants rarely follow the rules if they even happen to know about them in the first place, damage to the common elements is on the increase and […]
Trailside45 Condo Conversion Prompts City Discussion About Short-Term Rentals, State Bills (MI)
The planned conversion of the 74-unit Trailside45 apartment complex to condominiums prompted a lengthy discussion at the Traverse City planning commission meeting Tuesday, with commissioners expressing disappointment in the impending loss of year-round rentals and concerns about an increase in vacation rentals. Several commissioners sharply criticized a proposed set of state bills that aim to […]
Condo association may need to be forced into action (MI)
Q: I am a member of a condo association in good standing, but I am totally frustrated with the lack of a proper response from the Board of Directors and its management company to take care of basement leaks and roof leaks that I have been experiencing. Read the Q&A………………………………….
Dog size rule likely unreasonable (MI)
Q: My condominium association has adopted a rule that prohibits pets over 15 pounds in weight. This kind of seems silly to me because I’ve known some small dogs that can be really noisy and cause a regular nuisance. Is this kind of thing common? Read the Q&A………………………………….
Woman, 2 dogs killed in Novi condo fire (MI)
A woman and two dogs are dead after a fire at a Novi condominium. Fox 2 in Detroit reports that the 44-year-old woman was found in the upstairs of the unit at Country Place Condominiums on E. Glen Haven Circle at 2:06 a.m. on Monday. Read the entire article……………………………….
Neighbor’s cooking displeases resident (MI)
Q: My new downstairs neighbors in the condo unit below me are cooking strong-smelling foods every single night, and my unit is constantly “perfumed” as a result. The constant odor is driving me crazy, and attempts at talking with my neighbors have been fruitless. Can I demand the condominium association do something about it? Read […]
State law supports homeowner keeping his gazebo (NV)
Q: I have been renting a property from my sister-in-law for 15 years now. The HOA is fining me for a gazebo in the backyard that has been in place for 15 years. There is nothing in this free-standing structure, and it is not bolted to anything. When it was being used, it was a […]
Learn about developer before purchasing (MI)
Q: I have read your book, and I am interested in buying a new condominium. While the project is being developed by a prominent developer, their name is not on the purchase agreement, which seems strange. How do I find out about what this developer is all about? Read the Q&A……………………………………
Township Board expected to vote on debated garage issue (MI)
The request is to rezone the property south of the Gables of North Shore Condominium on Bowles Road from R-5 Single Family Residential to Gables of North Shore PUD (planned unit development). The applicants are requesting to add the vacant parcel adjacent to the Gables of North Shore Condominiums to the existing PUD to allow […]
Lakefront owners group takes failed Midland dams from controversial owner in settlement (MI)
The controversial owner of four dams in Midland and Gladwin counties — including two that failed in May, causing catastrophic flooding — has agreed to give up ownership of the dams to a two-county group of lakefront owners. The Four Lakes Task Force, a property owners’ group established by the Midland and Gladwin county boards […]
Residents displaced after fire rips through senior community in South Lyon (MI)
Residents at a senior community in South Lyon have been displaced after a fire ripped through the multi-unit condo building around midnight. According to the South Lyon Fire Chief Robert Vogel, firefighters responded to a report of smoke in a unit at the building. On arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from one unit of […]
South Lyon Fire Chief: Reading tablet probably ignited couch, destroyed condo unit (MI)
A tablet used for reading the Bible probably started a condo blaze that left three residents seeking hospital care early Wednesday morning, according to South Lyon firefighters. The tablet was re-charging on a basement couch and probably heated and ignited the couch’s fabric, Chief Robert Vogel said. Read the article…………………………..
Mask rules may apply to common areas (MI)
Q: I’m on the board of directors of my condominium building, and we are considering adoption of a rule requiring masks to be worn in the indoor common elements of the development, for example, the lobby, hallways and elevators. We have a few folks who will probably be upset by this, so we want to […]
No plans for eroded section of Bluff Road (MI)
The half-mile section of the Peninsula Township road was closed nearly a year ago when erosion from high water threatened to collapse it. The Monday tour, done during a special meeting hosted at the site, was meant to open a dialogue between the commission and members of the Mission Hills Homeowners Association, who say closing […]
Michigan Supreme Court invalidates governor’s emergency powers: What does it mean for community associations?
Condominium and homeowners associations in Michigan have been operating under various executive orders since March 10, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 2, 2020, in In re Certified Questions From United States Dist Court, W Dist of Michigan, S Div, Docket No. 161492 (Mich, October 2, 2020), the Michigan Supreme Court held […]
Some Homeowners Association Agreements Over 40 Years Old Could Expire In March (MI)
For many who purchase a condominium or home in a community association, they don’t mind the homeowner association fees. As the fees pay for external maintenance, improvements, and for services in the community like a clubhouse and/or a pool. Others regret these agreements because depending on who is managing the association everything from the color […]
Will condo association documents expire after 40 years? (MI)
Q: I’ve heard that there may be some issue with community associations’ recorded governing documents expiring next March if they are over 40 years old, is that right? Read the Q&A…………………………….
Executive Order 2020-175: Governor Whitmer enters new executive order on swimming pool and recreational facility restrictions (MI)
Michigan condominium associations and homeowners associations have been struggling with decisions to open swimming pools and other recreational facilities all summer. Many community associations have kept facilities closed for safety and liability reasons. On September 3, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-175 and Executive Order 2020-176, which altered the restrictions on swimming pools and […]
Bluff Road Residents Question Road Commission Plans (MI)
As erosion issues continue to plague the north end of Bluff Road, a portion of which has been closed since last winter, some Old Mission Peninsula residents who live there are saying enough is enough. In a letter to the Grand Traverse County Road Commission (GTCRC) dated August 26, Jim Raphael says their handling of […]
Lame duck act threatens some associations (MI)
Q: I’ve heard that there may be some issue with community associations’ recorded governing documents expiring next March if they are over 40 years old, is that right? Read the Q&A………………………………
Macomb family asked to remove ‘Black Lives Matter’ signs after HOA complaint
Aries and Tia Rodgers said they were singled out because of the “Black Lives Matter” signs that they have in their Macomb-area lawn. “This is a real sensitive time to address something as simple as a Black Lives Matter sign,” Aries Rodgers said. The couple received a letter in the mail from the homeowner association that […]
No quick fix for Bluff Road (MI)
Mike Skurski, Mission Hills Homeowners Association president and Bluff Road property owner, blamed the road commission for letting the erosion get so bad. The HOA’s beach access off Bluff Road is impacted by the closure and the group paid $20,000 for a fix last summer. Skurski accused the road commission of missing several chances to […]
Metro Detroit residents concerned after dozens of duck carcasses found near neighborhood pond (MI)
Dozens of ducks are dead in a metro Detroit neighborhood, with some nearby residents claiming the homeowner’s association isn’t doing enough to mediate. “There’s bits and pieces of duck carcasses everywhere,” said one resident who was concerned about his kids and dogs outside around the dead animals. Read the article……………………………….
Choose written, not oral, contract
Q: We want to hire a recording secretary to help us take minutes at our board and member meetings for our condominium association. We don’t want to spend a bunch of money on getting a contract drafted for the work because we’re just going to pay $50 per set of minutes. We’d rather keep things […]
Developer to buy Midland condominiums severely damaged by flooding (MI)
After weeks of deliberation, the condominium owners at Midland’s Village West have agreed to sell their 46 units to contractor Doug Loose. The condominiums at 3314 Pine Grove Drive suffered severe damage during the historic May floods that ravaged Midland County. Most owners believed their units would cost more to fix than they were worth […]
Condo covered in thousands of locusts (MI)
A woman from St. Clair Shores, Michigan was shocked in late June, when she returned to her condominium and found it covered in thousands of locusts! Watch the video……………………………
Midland condo residents have ‘long road’ ahead as they decide fate of flood-damaged units (MI)
After hearing a proposal to buy their condo units, residents of Village West in Midland took the first step toward deciding what will become of their flood-damaged homes. Read the article……………………………
What’s your home’s flood risk? New study measures it for every parcel nationwide
In Michigan, First Street finds almost 400,000 more properties with flood risk than FEMA identifies — a big potential liability for property owners and renters, as most outside of FEMA flood zones are probably not covered by flood insurance, meaning their regular insurance wouldn’t cover their losses if a flood occurred, and forcing residents to pay out of pocket […]
Just because it’s legal … (MI)
Q: We have some angry co-owners in our condominium association who are pushing to open the swimming pool again and demanding that our annual meeting be held. It was supposed to be held in May according to our Bylaws, but we had to postpone it due to the stay home order. However, most Board members […]
Woman rushes to help when Northville condos struck by lightning, catch fire (MI)
“I can tell you, I heard a big bang around 12 something, like lightning or something that hit someplace,” said Katherine Lawrence. That’s the lightning strike Katherine Lawrence is talking about ‘Mother Nature’ put on a show late Friday night, in a Northville neighborhood and it was all caught on security camera nearby Read the […]
Village West residents vote to not rebuild flooded condos (MI)
Pat Withrow and the rest of the residents of the 46 units at Village West Condominiums are trying to move forward after voting unanimously to not rebuild their residences. Read the article…………………………..
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-115: MICHIGAN RELAXES RESTRICTIONS ON RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND POOLS
On June 5, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-115 which further relaxed the restrictions on pools and recreational facilities contained in Executive Order 2020-110. Accordingly, Michigan condominium and homeowners associations have the ability to re-open pools and recreational facilities subject to certain restrictions. Read the article……………………………..
Michigan dam disaster an example of what could happen in many other communities
When the dam broke, the geography here was almost instantly redrawn. Houses that once sat lakeside with private docks now stare out over mud flats pocked with pleasure boats heaving awkwardly on their sides. Below, where all the water went, businesses and homes look churned and strafed, the roof of a car dealership has collapsed, […]
Feds revoked failed Edenville dam’s license in 2018 over inability to handle big floods (MI)
The Free Press asked EGLE officials whether it’s prudent to raise the lake levels by 3 to 8 feet in early spring, at times of record-high water across Michigan and amid several years in a row of unusually strong spring rains. They hadn’t responded as of Wednesday afternoon. In its statement Wednesday, Boyce said the […]
Hidden Harbor Condo Fire Deemed Suspicious (MI)
A large fire at the Hidden Harbor condominium complex in the City of Brighton is being investigated as suspicious. Upon arrival, crews found two units on the third floor on fire spreading into the attic and were able to safely get four people out of the structure – one via a ladder, two who were carried […]
A group of Ottawa County condos are surrounded by standing water (MI)
A group of condos in Spring Lake sit right next to the Grand River and after recent rainfall they are dealing with more than a foot of standing water overtaking the parking lot and approaching front doors of first level homes. Read the article……………………………..
Executive Order 2020-92: Michigan maintains ban on short-term rentals and areas of public accommodation
On April 24, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-59 and banned short-term rentals, except for certain limited circumstances. On May 7, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-77, which extended the ban on short-term vacation rentals until May 28, 2020. On May 18, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-92, which commenced the process […]
Crews battle fire at Plainfield Twp. condo (MI)
Crews were on scene of a fire at an apartment complex in Kent County early Tuesday. The fire broke out around midnight at the Valley Townhomes on Tamarack Turn Street, off of Pine Forest Blvd. Read the article……………………………
How can co-owner condo board get developer to fix problems (MI)
Q: We’re feeling rather stuck. Our community association has just transitioned to a co-owner-controlled board of directors from the developer. There are many remaining issues that we need the developer to address, including repairs and significant funds that we believe they are illegally keeping from us, and our requests are falling on deaf ears. The […]
When Homeowner Associations Shade Out Solar Energy (MI)
Rick Freiman has a couple of reasons for wanting to put solar panels on his roof. They would save him money on his energy bill. But also, Freiman is a climate activist. He and his wife Deb want to shrink their carbon footprint. The Freimans live in a subdivision in Portage. They got a couple of […]
Continue condo business via virtual means (MI)
Q: I’m a little confused about how our condo association is supposed to continue to do business these days. How do we comply with the Governor’s executive orders without everything grinding to a halt? Read the article…………………………..
1 Hospitalized After Family Escapes Westland Condo Fire (MI)
A Westland man is listed in stable condition at a local hospital after a fire broke out while his family slept. Authorities said the fire started at around 4 a.m Tuesday at a condominium in the area of Ann Arbor Trail and Middlebelt Rd. Read the article………………………….
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-42: Michigan Bans Short-term Rentals Until April 30, 2020
On April 9, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-42, which extended the stay-at-home requirements that were originally contained in Executive Order 2020-21 until April 30, 2020. In addition to extending the stay-at-home requirements, Executive Order 2020-42 also implemented additional restrictions on short-term rentals. Specifically, the order precludes any type of travel to a vacation […]
Brighton Condo Residents Fed Up With Frequent Power Outages (MI)
Residents of a condominium complex in Brighton are unhappy with the frequent power outages that are occurring in their development. Residents of the Hamilton Farms condominiums say they have experienced five outages in a four-day period beginning last Thursday, and the most recent one — which took place early Sunday afternoon and didn’t end until […]