At the State Capitol, there is a bipartisan effort to limit the authority of homeowner association (HOA) boards and make their dealings more transparent. In Minnesota, 1.5 million people live in HOAs. Complaints include that people are being foreclosed on for unpaid fees. Read the article…………………………….
Legislative Update – HOA Regulation (MN)
As we all await warmer and sunnier days, the House has been hard at work as the end of session is just around the corner. We recently came to a bipartisan agreement on spending targets and are wrapping up bill hearings as we work to set our budget. Here is an update from the Capitol. […]
Homeowners Association and Common Interest Community Reform Bills Advance (MN)
On April 4, the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee considered SF 1750, sponsored by Sen. Eric Lucero (R-Saint Michael). The bill includes numerous recommendations from the Working Group on Common Interest Communities and Homeowners Associations related to homeowners associations (HOAs) and common interest communities (CICs). It was amended and laid over for possible inclusion […]
Bill to protect residents of HOA’s moving forward in Minnesota Legislature
Disputes with HOA’s can cost people a lot, all the way up to losing their home since an HOA can foreclose for any unpaid dues, fines or fees. There are concerns about how those decisions are made, and who’s affected. Read the article…………………………….
HOA legislation spurs opposition rally at Capitol (MN)
Bills in the Minnesota House and Senate aim to put significant restrictions on homeowner association (HOA) boards across the state, aimed at transparency and accountability. However, many HOA board advocates say the proposed new laws go too far and will increase resident fees and potentially hurt property laws. Read the article…………………………….
Minnesota HOA board members, property managers rally to kill reform bill
Proposed bipartisan legislation would tighten the rules on homeowners associations, which have authority over a majority of new housing built in the state. Legislators got an earful when they asked constituents to voice concerns about the homeowners associations that govern 80% of new housing in the state Read the article…………………………….
The Ins and Mostly Outs of HOA Reform in MN
We’re tracking major legislation in the MN House and Senate, and as you’ve likely heard by now, not all is well in HOA Land. The state elected officials have turned their sites on HOAs for “reform,” and they’re using some of the rare bad actors (and oft-repeated phony stories, like the one about the foreclosure […]
Opposing the HOA Ombudsperson Bill (MN)
For the past few years, hearing anything about HOAs in the Minnesota State Legislature was hard to come by. I had a conversation with a state representative at a coffee meeting about a year ago in the south metro, and after listening to me rant about rising HOA insurance, he looked at me with puzzlement […]
Senate Hearing on Ombudsperson for HOAs (MN)
On Friday afternoon, March 21, the Minnesota Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a public hearing on SF1063, which seeks to establish an “ombudsperson” within the Minnesota Department of Commerce, ostensibly to serve as a referee on dispute resolution between “unit owners” and associations in common interest communities, or HOAs Read the article…………………………….
Promote Fair Dispute Resolution, OPPOSE SF 1063 (MN)
CAI Minnesota Legislative Action Committee (MN LAC) needs your help! SF 1063 Common interest community ombudsperson creation is being heard by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Friday, March 21, and we need you to tell your Senator to OPPOSE this bill! If enacted, SF 1063 would establish a community association ombudsman program […]
Property insurance increases of 400% seen at some condos, HOA properties (MN)
Just after Nancy Brand secured a seat on the resident-led board at Edina’s Windwood Condominiums, the property manager revealed that after years of single-digit increases, their property insurance rates would increase — by 400%. “Our insurance expired at midnight on December 31st,” said Brand, 75. “We found out on the 29th.” 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. Read the article…………………………….
HOA reform bill clears first hurdle in state Senate
A bill that would place limits on the power of homeowners’ associations advanced out of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention committee Thursday on a unanimous vote……The bill (SF1750/HF1268) would require homeowners’ association boards to create a schedule of fines and fees and distribute it to homeowners; ensure homeowners can contest an HOA fine; provide […]
HOA Files: Homeowners confront huge bills, conflicts of interest and bad insurance options (MN)
Susheel Kesireddy was among the first people to move into a brand-new townhome community in Inver Grove Heights eight years ago. He figured his homeowners association’s insurance would cover any needed repairs to the outside of his home, while his personal insurance covered the inside. So he was stunned when he received a $16,116 bill […]
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 […]
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…………………………..