Legislators from all four caucuses held a press conference on Feb. 26 introducing a Homeowners Association (HOA) and Common Interest Community (CIC) reform package. The House bill, HF1268, is authored by Representatives Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove), and Shane Mekeland (GOP-Clear Lake). The Senate bill, SF1750, is authored by Senators Eric Lucero (GOP-Saint Michael) and Susan […]
Legislators introduce bipartisan HOA, Common Interest Community reform package (MN)
Legislators from all four caucuses held a press conference on Feb. 26 introducing a Homeowners Association (HOA) and Common Interest Community (CIC) reform package. The House bill, HF1268, is authored by Representatives Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove), and Shane Mekeland (GOP-Clear Lake). The Senate bill, SF1750, is authored by Senators Eric Lucero (GOP-Saint Michael) and Susan […]
The Real Downsides of the Proposed HOA Legislation (MN)
It’s been an interesting week watching the analyses unfold of the proposed legislation that is coursing through the Minnesota Legislature that, if passed, will have profound effects (some with unintended negative consequences) on HOAs across the land of 10,000 lakes. Our own Lynn Boergerhoff testified in front of the House hearing for HF1268, and I […]
Homeowners association group to meet March 11 in Eagan (MN)
The HOA Leadership Network is hosting a free educational meeting for board members of townhome, condominium, and other homeowner associations 9-11 a.m. Monday, March 11, at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway. Participants can learn about spring building inspections, secrets of asphalt, and an “Ask the Attorney” session. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. More […]
House lawmakers show support for legislation limiting reach of HOAs (MN)
More than 1 million Minnesotans live under a homeowners association, and 86% say they are very happy with the results. But when association boards or the managers they hire are ineffective, a homeowner can find a $56 fine turn into a foreclosure notice. Read the article…………………………….
Restoring HOA transparency and accountability (MN)
For many months, homeowners from across our community and state have been reaching out to me sharing stories of exploitation and power-imbalance they’ve experienced with their homeowners associations (HOAs) and property management companies. Feedback I’ve received includes outrageous fines for minor infractions; surprise fees with no explanation; management companies operating with little transparency; and, worst […]
Lawmakers discuss home owners associations reform (MN)
Minnesota DFL and GOP lawmakers are discussing ways to reform Home Owners Associations in the state. Representatives from both sides of the aisle sat down with FOX 9’s Leah Beno to talk more about the proposals. Video news report……………………..
Bipartisan coalition aims to add new regulations to HOA laws (MN)
A newly proposed bill at the Minnesota Capitol—one that’s back by both parties in both chambers—would put new regulations on Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) and Common Interest Communities (CIC). The bill takes dozens of recommendations from a recent legislative working group to help improve state statute on HOAs. Members of the group said they heard from […]
Large fire response to Proctor condo complex (MN)
Crews responded to a structure fire that damaged two apartments Wednesday night. Authorities said the fire was contained to one apartment building. The Botanical Gardens building’s sprinkler system kept the fire from spreading. Read the article…………………………….
Bill would unleash dog training volunteers from some HOA restrictions (MN)
Under the proposed legislation, someone training a service dog supervised by an accredited program could not be charged extra to have the dog but would be responsible for any damage the dog may cause. Landlords and homeowner association boards could require a written statement from the organization supervising the training and the accommodation would end […]
Newsmakers: Rep. Bahner Talks HOA Reforms (MN)
Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) will continue working on homeowners association reform in the new legislative session. Bahner says Minnesota homeowners have long faced challenges with homeowners associations (HOAs), but a lack of state statutes has left consumers without protections. Read the article…………………………….
Fox 9 Dishes on HOAs (MN)
I caught a Fox 9 Minneapolis live report on their morning show today about the Legislative’s Working Group recommendations to “limit the power of HOAs” in Minnesota. The first report that I saw was very negative about HOA living, but by the time the sun was up in their second hour, reporter Bill Keller seemed […]
Bipartisan bill targets HOA authority (MN)
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is introducing a bill to limit the power of homeowners associations (HOA) in Minnesota. FOX 9’s Bill Keller has more on the story. Video news report……………………..
Bills Introduced to Establish a Minnesota Common Interest Community Ombudsperson
In general, an Ombudsperson (om-budz-person) is an appointed, independent official who receives complaints against government and government regulated organizations or its officials, investigates those complaints, and takes action to resolve the complaints. Read the article…………………………….
Breaking: Corporate Transparency Act Reinstated (MN)
On February 17, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted the government’s motion for stay a nationwide injunction(Opens in a new window) halting enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act in Smith v. United States Department of Treasury. The Court cited the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision to stay […]
HOALN Issues News Release on Board Leader Education (MN)
The very mission of the HOA Leadership Network is education, and our advocacy is now budding out to the legislative level. Given that the Minnesota Legislative Work Group on CICs and HOAs recently published their recommendations for improving HOA conditions, the network is recommending that education for board leaders be added to the docket. Read […]
HOA reform group releases recommendations to the Legislature (MN)
A Republican and a Democrat together pitched recommendations to rein in homeowners’ associations at the House housing committee Wednesday. A working group convened by the Legislature spent much of the past year discussing how the state could empower homeowners in the face of rising complaints against unrestrained homeowners’ associations and property management companies. Read the […]
Jonathan is Homeowner Association of the Year (MN)
The Jonathan Association recently received the “Homeowner Association of the Year” award for 2010. The large Chaska homeowners association received the award at an annual meeting and Vision Awards Celebration held by the Community Associations Institute – Minnesota Chapter (CAI-MN) on June 16 in Minneapolis. Read the article…………………………….
Caribou Lake Property Owners Association seeks tax increase to cover rusty crayfish management (MN)
While most property owners would prefer to lower their tax bill, the Caribou Lake Property Owners Association is looking to increase the special assessment that they levy through the Caribou Lake Watershed Subordinate Service District (SSD). The additional funds they would collect would go toward invasive species management. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowners in Rogers raise questions, concerns over roof repair bill (MN)
Homeowners in Rogers are speaking out after they say they’re facing a hefty bill from their Homeowner’s Association (HOA) requiring all members to get a roof replacement – even though many say their roof has no damage. The story highlights a growing issue across the state over what HOAs are authorized to do, and what […]
Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Requirement Suspended, Ruled Unconstitutional
Based on changes to the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), many business entities were faced with filing a report about their “beneficial owners” with the federal government by January 1, 2025 (“BOI Reports”). On December 3, 2024, a Texas federal court ruled that the new CTA reporting requirements are unconstitutional and enjoined the deadline to file […]
HOA Working Group to Meet Thursday in Maple Grove (MN)
The Minnesota Legislative Coordinating Commission will take public testimony in a talking session with the Working Group on Common Interest Communities (CIC) and Homeowners Associations (HOA)…..The purpose of the legislative working group is to study the prevalence and impact of CICs and HOAs in Minnesota and how the existing laws regulating CICs and HOAs are […]
Insurance trade group calls on Ellison to investigate alleged HOA malfeasance reported by Reformer (MN)
A property insurance trade group is asking Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to investigate an Otsego homeowners association, their property manager and a construction company subsidiary after allegations made by residents in a recent Reformer story. Read the article…………………………….
Sen. Lucero Named Vice-Chair of New HOA Reform Working Group (MN)
The Legislative Working Group on Common Interest Communities and Homeowners Associations, informally known as the HOA Reform working group, convened its first meeting on September 10 at the Minnesota Capitol. Sen. Eric Lucero (R-Saint Michael), a licensed real estate agent and the Republican lead on the Senate’s housing committee, was named as the group’s vice […]
Minnesota Workers Strike Down Shady Provision That Restricts Their Freedom of Employment
Michael Rubke, a desk attendant at La Rive condo complex in Minneapolis, is fighting for a union against a behemoth building management company, FirstService Residential of Minnesota, that has a near-monopoly on high-rise condos in the Twin Cities. It’s been a difficult battle so far. The unionization campaign is “at square one,” the 41-year-old explained […]
Hail storms in Minnesota lead to huge insurance price increases
Joan Hasper and Floyd Grabiel have each lived at the Windwood Condominium for a number of years. But this last year, their monthly home owner’s association fees shot up. “The last year has been hell, to be honest with you,” Hasper said. “Mine, when I moved in, was about $500-$600 a month. Now they’re over […]
BROOKLYN PARK HOSTS ENGAGING HOA WORKSHOP AT CITY HALL WITH FREE MEALS AND EXPERT ADVICE (MN)
If you’ve ever fervently debated the color of someone’s front door or passionately dissected the intricacies of your community’s curb appeal, then the upcoming Homeowners Association (HOA) Workshop at City Hall is where you need to be. Slated for Saturday, June 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., city dwellers and board members alike who […]
Lake association, watershed work together toward common goal (MN)
Since 2002, Bald Eagle Lake has been one of the many lakes included on the state’s impaired waters list. As of May 2024, that has changed. Bald Eagle Lake is one of several local lakes are to be removed from Minnesota’s impaired waters list. Read the article…………………………….
Minnesota lawmakers pass reforms to property forfeiture law
The high court decided Hennepin County violated the constitutional rights of Geraldine Tyler, a Minneapolis resident in her 90s. Hennepin County sold Tyler’s condo for about $25,000 more than she owed in property taxes and fees, and kept the difference. The Supreme Court ruled she was entitled to the excess money. As a result lawmakers […]
Are HOAs a roadblock in addressing the child care shortage? (MN)
In many areas, like Woodbury, for example, in-home child care is in high demand. One provider who asked to be unnamed due to current conversations with their HOA, and who lives in a different Woodbury HOA community, is facing a similar issue to Leonzal. She runs an in-home daycare and was recently informed that her […]
HOA, condo fees rising for some Minnesotans
If you live in a condo or townhome in Minnesota, you may notice your fees are going up. One insurance expert says this is a trend he’s been seeing for the last several months. Helen Mitchell recently found out it will be more expensive to live in the Coon Rapids townhome she’s called home for […]
HOA, condo daycare prohibition bans considered by Minnesota lawmakers
Those who live in a homeowner’s association (HOA) or condo looking to create an in-home licensed daycare center could no longer be denied its operation as long as they have a license in Minnesota under a new proposal being considered by lawmakers. Read the article…………………………….
Judiciary panel spotlights ‘shadow’ non-compete clauses, approves bill to close loophole (MN)
An example of a shadow noncompete contract that is hidden from an employee was provided in written testimony by SEIU Local 26. When a homeowner’s association under one of these contracts switches to a different property management company, these contracts prevent that association from retaining their experienced staff without the risk of litigation for continuing […]
Strict rules, high fees: What to know about Twin Cities HOAs (MN)
With roughly 7,950 housing communities in Minnesota, many home shoppers need to factor in homeowners association fees as part of their purchase price. Read the article…………………………….
Green infrastructure a mystery for many homeowners associations (MN)
“We have a lot of wet backyards,” said Jean, a Woodbury resident who lives in a homeowners association built in 1998. “It is all either water, weeds, or grass. Nothing else.” “Part of the problem was that we didn’t know what we had when we moved in,” added husband Steve. Their HOA paid $15,000 to […]
Irrigation rates point of contention for homeowner associations (MN)
Members of half a dozen homeowner associations (HOAs) came prepared to argue their water bills at the Nov. 20 town board meeting. The problem isn’t the cost of domestic water, but the cost to irrigate common green space, which residents living in townhomes feel is unfair. Read the article…………………………..
Homeowners association group to meet in Eagan (MN)
The HOA Leadership Network is hosting a free educational meeting for townhome and condominium homeowners Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, 9-11 a.m. at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan. Topics will be an introduction to homeowner associations and exterior building maintenance. Coffee and donuts provided. More information at hoaleadershipnetwork.org.
Homeowners Association asks for city help with sewer system (MN)
Could the City of Scandia be taking on management of another wastewater system? Approached last week by the Wyldewood Acres Homeowners Association, the Scandia City Council directed city staff last week to study several options for assisting the association with bringing its private sewer into compliance with the Minnesota Pollution Control Act. Read the article………………………………
Brooklyn Park staff look to be involved in HOA conflicts (MN)
The City of Brooklyn Park knows the significant impact homeowners associations can have on residents in Brooklyn Park neighborhoods, and is looking to be involved with how they’re conducted. Read the article………………………………
Lawmakers look to ban shadow noncompete agreements in property management contracts (MN)
Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, said she and Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, will write a bill prohibiting property management companies from forbidding homeowners associations from hiring their workers. Read the article………………………..
Changes to Minnesota HOA law lets more switch to solar
After a busy legislative session, there is good news for Minnesota homeowners that want to choose solar energy. One of the highly anticipated laws that passed now mandates that HOAs in Minnesota cannot block a property from installing solar panels on the roof. This change took effect on July 1, 2023. Read the article………………………..
Workers see big raise after condo board hires unionized management firm (MN)
Condo workers at River Towers in Minneapolis recently won two things for which they’ve been fighting for over a year: a union and a big pay raise. Read the article………………………..
Westbrook Estates may be annexed into city of Alexandria (MN)
Westbrook is a 9.2-acre townhome subdivision on Voyager Drive in LaGrande Township that has been served by a private well ever since it was platted in 1997 Read the article………………………..
California Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling More Than $1 Million from Employer
California woman was sentenced to 66 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,791,334.81 in restitution for embezzling more than $1 million from her employer, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. Read the article………………………..
HOA parking dispute may force Minnesota family from home
For one Forest Lake family, a dispute over a parking spot with their homeowners’ association (HOA) has thrown their future into uncertainty. The disagreement, which only arose last month, comes despite the family having lived there for over a decade. They maintain that they had verbal permission to use the spot, but this agreement was […]
Some condo workers released from shadow noncompetes by FirstService Residential (MN)
Residents of the River Towers condominiums in Minneapolis like their building’s staff. The building’s staff like the residents — many have worked in the building for years. But a provision in the contract between the condo association and the building’s property management company, FirstService Residential Minnesota, means neither the residents nor the workers have a […]
Former CFO Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $3 Million from Employer (MN)
According to court documents, David Efrem Katz, 56, was the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Durand and Associates (“D&A”), a property management company that specialized in servicing homeowner associations (“HOAs”). Between 2012 and 2017, Katz embezzled over $3 million from D&A and its client HOAs. Read the article………………………..
Rochester Towers association wants residents to return for ‘limited occupancy’ (MN)
The Rochester Towers Condominium’s owners association is asking the city to allow for some residents to return for “limited occupancy” of their building as it is undergoing structural repairs. Read the article………………………..
CAI chapter adds CIC Midwest (MN)
The Minnesota Chapter of Community Associations Institute has acquired CIC Midwest, a division of Minnesota Multi Housing Association. The move will position CAI as the “leading authority in community association governance, education and management throughout Minnesota,” according to a press release. Read the article………………………..
Who will pay for the possible millions in repairs at Rochester Towers? (MN)
The question of who is going to pay for potentially $4 million to repair two or three columns in the troubled Rochester Towers haunts David Barnett, whose family owns five of the 94 condominium units in the downtown building. Read the article………………………..