Residents in a Houston-area subdivision are up in arms after finding out the security guard patrolling their neighborhood is the former deputy who was once charged in the John Hernandez murder. Emails to the Balmoral Sub-Division Homeowner’s Association started pouring in about two weeks ago when residents found out their security officer was former Harris […]
After run-in with HOA manager, new Villages resident ‘appalled’ (AZ)
A former board member of a homeowners’ association in Washington State, he didn’t think much about living in another HOA community, not that he had much choice if he wanted to live in one of Maricopa’s 18 residential developments. Last week, however, two incidents changed his mind about the organization he sends $86 every month […]
Transition committee and construction defect claims (FL)
Q: My new condominium will soon be turning over from the developer. I am a unit owner and have been selected to serve on the transition committee, which has been primarily tasked with determining whether the developer has any obligation to make building repairs, etc. What are some things the transition committee should be thinking […]
Fire damages condo in Branson (MO)
Firefighters battled a condominium fire early Sunday morning in the Pointe Royale area. According to a statement from Branson Professional Firefighters Local 152, there were no injuries, and all occupants were out of the building when firefighters arrived on scene shortly after 3:30 a.m. Read the article………………………………..
Dispute with gate guard likely won’t be resolved by community association (FL)
Q: I live in a beautiful, small gated community. Over the Memorial Day weekend, the guard on duty at the gate did not follow protocol by calling my cell phone after I did not answer my home phone to admit a guest. Read the Q&A………………………………..
Attending virtual board meetings
Q: The board of our condominium association is conducting its meetings via video conference while the governor’s COVID-19 executive orders limit in-person gatherings. Owners can “attend” these video board meetings via a computer hyperlink provided by the board. However, not every owner in our association has a computer or is “tech savvy” enough to use […]
HOA Homefront: Help! The board isn’t enforcing the rules (CA)
Q: Residents in our HOA are encouraged to report rule violations. I and others have reported violations directly to the manager, primarily because the phone numbers and email addresses for any of the board members are not public for the residents. How do we follow up on reports of violations and/or obtain statuses? Some of […]
REAL ESTATE MATTERS: Where there’s smoke, there’s a conversation about association rules
We continue to receive questions and comments about our recent columns on smoking, as well as the rules that condominiums and other associations are putting into place about smoking cannabis. So, we thought we’d share a few of them. Our thoughts will follow. https://www.heraldtribune.com/business/20200620/real-estate-matters-where-theres-smoke-theres-conversation-about-association-rules
Homeowner wants HOA to have tougher rules on trash cans (NV)
Q: My name is Lisa, and I live in a homeowners association community. As I have Googled this topic, I am understanding that you are an authority on trash can storage. So, I am hoping you can give me your input on trash can regulations. Specifically, my HOA management company and board, has not been […]
Behind in association dues? Your neighbors may foreclose (TX)
The family that rented a condominium from Dana Peterson for nine years was among those who lost work to the novel coronavirus. When they began missing rent payments in March, Peterson said she understood. They had never missed a payment before, and she had heard that, during a period of historic unemployment, government policies protected […]
Davie Navy vet at odds with homeowners association over Marine vet roommate (FL)
After decades of peaceful living in a Davie neighborhood, a veteran says his civil rights are now being violated by his homeowners association. 7’s Kevin Ozebek has the story. Park City West is a quiet retirement community in Davie that John Curtis has called home for 21 years. The disabled Navy veteran owns a three-bedroom […]
‘Hate has no home here’: Woman petitions to remove ‘Plantation’ from neighborhood name (NC)
A resident of Porters Neck Plantation has started a petition to remove “Plantation” from the neighborhood’s name. Kathryn Polk says it’s about creating a more inclusive environment and to stop normalizing what she believes is a derogatory word. Read the article…………………………….
Fire marshal determines massive condo fire started around gas grill on balcony (MO)
Firefighters determined a massive fire at the Emerald Bay Condominiums in Lake Ozark was caused by a fire on a gas barbeque grill. Read the article…………………………..
Improper mixing of pool chemicals requires intervention of hazmat team (IN)
A mistake in the handling of swimming pool chemicals required intervention by hazardous material teams at the Meadowbrook Manor Condominiums on Wednesday. Hazmat units from Anderson, Adams Township and the Chesterfield/Union Township fire departments were sent to 211 Buckingham Drive at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Read the article…………………………..
Condo column: Can I celebrate July 4th with lawfully purchased fireworks?
Q: We have a local Sheriff’s deputy that parks her car in her driveway overnight. Our rules prohibit the parking of “business vehicles” outside of garages. Some people in the community claim that the sheriff vehicle is a business vehicle and should not be allowed to park outside of the garage. What do you think? […]
Racist, unlawful restrictions remain in historic East Texas property deeds
Buried deep in the small print of property deeds across the country is a startling restriction meant to prevent black people from owning property. The restrictions are illegal and unenforceable today, but the racist wording remains and can be found in documents for property in East Texas. Read the article……………………………
Westchase Community Association tells residents to take down graduation signs or face fines (FL)
You could call it a sign of the times: Proud parents are doing their best to make up for canceled graduation ceremonies with congratulatory signs………..But King’s sign was up all of two weeks before she received a letter in the mail from her homeowners association. “It read, ‘you currently are in violation of the association’s […]
Westport condo destroyed during Tuesday morning inferno (WI)
The Waunakee Fire Department responded to a residential fire at 5323 Westport Road Tuesday morning, shortly before 8 a.m. No injuries to residents or emergency responders were reported. “We believe the cause of the fire was careless use of smoking materials,” said Waunakee Fire Chief Dave Kopp. “Now you’ve got probably 20 residents that will […]
People have been debating Stapleton’s name since 2001 (CO)
The Master Community Association (MCA) announced on Sunday it is taking steps to remove the “Stapleton” name from the community and its operations. Stapleton’s namesake is a former Denver mayor who was a member of the KKK. The neighborhood has put the decision to change the name to a vote in the past, but the […]
Fishers family faces threat of HOA legal action over 2-foot backyard wade pool (IN)
Bob and Julia Taylor bought an inflatable pool to help cool off during the pandemic. But that pool got them in hot water with their homeowners’ association. Read the article………………………
Fences in servitude removed by parish to cut ditch, residents must pay to put them back (LA)
Last year, the Livingston Parish Department of Public Works said it would be tearing down fences in Arbor Walk, if the neighbors didn’t move them out of the servitude. The neighborhood’s HOA, Community Management, LLC, sent out a final notice on June 10 saying homeowners not in compliance would have their fences removed. The parish […]
Tempers boil over as Democrats square off with Trump supporters at golf cart rally
Emotions ran raw, insults were hurled back and forth at least one fight almost broke out between Republicans and Democrats during a pro-Trump golf cart parade late Sunday afternoon. Read the article………………………..
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…………………………..
Woke Grandpa Defies Miami Beach Condo Board (FL)
That led Abramson to ask his granddaughter, Arley Hunt, to help him write “Black Lives Matter” in chalk paint on the sliding glass door that leads to the balcony of his Mid Beach condo. It wasn’t long before neighbors confronted him and complained to management. Staff at his Collins Avenue building told him to remove […]
REAL ESTATE MATTERS: Property owner requests improvement for something in excess of HOA covenants
Q: I am on the board of directors of my homeowners association (HOA). The dues to our HOA are voluntary. We can’t assess liens against any property in our community; we can only sue a property owner for violations of our covenants. Read the Q&A……………………….Our HOA document speaks to architectural control covenants, and homeowners can […]
Denver protest leader says Stapleton may be next target if neighborhood doesn’t change name (CO)
A Denver Public Schools board member who has helped direct some of the recent police protests said Saturday that Stapleton is a likely next target for demonstrations if the neighborhood doesn’t change its name. Read the article……………………………
Insurance companies set to squeeze even more money out of us this storm season (FL)
Florida homeowners, already paying nearly the highest home insurance rates in the nation, should get ready for more sticker shock if and when their policies next renew. Premiums for most Florida property owners are poised to jump again — sharply — as insurers pass along skyrocketing costs of coverage they need to pay claims after […]
Rules for expedited budget process (IL)
Q: Traditionally, the board of our association held a meeting of the owners to discuss the proposed budget before the board voted on the budget. The board does not intend on doing that this year. Rather, the board will only call a meeting of the board to adopt the budget. Is the board required to […]
Realtor: More Houston neighborhoods have old racist deed restrictions (TX)
Momentum is growing in one of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods to change racist deed restrictions that say only people of Caucasian race can live in or own a home. “There’s anger, there’s hurt, there’s outrage,” said Sally Walden, an Oak Forest resident and realtor. She’s been doing her own digging into Houston’s past. “I want to say […]
Use of title when campaigning for re-election (FL)
Q: The vice president of our condominium association is running for re-election and sent a letter to all owners outlining why he should be re-elected. The letter was signed as the vice president and I feel it is improper to use the title when campaigning. Does this invalidate the election? Read the Q&A………………………………
Black Lives Matter yard signs spark debate within Chapel Hill neighborhood as HOA looks to enforce display policies (NC)
Some residents of the Briar Chapel community in Chapel Hill are questioning the timing of their HOA’s enforcement of a yard sign policy. They say the policy has not been enforced until now and believe it has to do with “Black Lives Matter” signs that have been popping up around the neighborhood. Read the article……………………………..
Termination of HOA is complicated (NV)
Q: Is it possible to leave a homeowners association? I have details if you are interested in my situation. Read the Q&A………………………………
HOA Homefront: Are virtual board meetings legit? (CA)
Q: Our association canceled the March meeting and then April’s meeting was held by a teleconference with just the board members. Is this legal? We have not received any information about what was discussed in this meeting Read the Q&A…………………………
Club West battle heats up as nonprofit seeks injunction (AZ)
A nonprofit opposed to houses on Club West’s golf course has asked a judge to stop an apparent fast-track effort by the HOA’s board to push a homeowners’ vote on a plan by four investors who bought the site last week. The Club West Conservancy last week asked a Maricopa County Superior Court judge to […]
Condo owners file suit City of Canfield, association blamed for flooding issues (OH)
Owners of a condominium in the Hunter’s Woods Condominiums of Canfield have filed suit against the city of Canfield and their homeowner’s association over flooding that damaged basements May 28, 2019. Read the article………………………………
Sandy Springs’ Lake Forrest Drive renaming draws support as anti-racist, some criticism as empty gesture (GA)
A proposal to change the spelling of Sandy Springs’ Lake Forrest Drive due to possible Confederate and Ku Klux Klan inspirations is winning many fans. But on neighborhood social media, it’s also drawn criticism from residents calling it political correctness or tokenism. Read the article……………………………
The rainy day is coming. Are you ready? (NH)
As a board, you’ve come to the long dawning realization that you can’t put off replacing the rot around windows, the failing roofs, the cracked and pothole filled parking lot and other needed repairs that have turned your once lovely association into something closer to a third world country. It’s time to get the work […]
Despite foreclosure freeze, HOAs sending default notices (NV)
Daisy Maldonado knew she was behind on her homeowners association dues. But when a collection agency mailed her a notice recently, she read a dire message. “WARNING!” it declared. “IF YOU FAIL TO PAY THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN THIS NOTICE, YOU COULD LOSE YOUR HOME, EVEN IF THE AMOUNT IS IN DISPUTE!” Read the article………………………….
Woman Drowns in Northeast Dallas Condo Pool (TX)
A 35-year-old woman drowned Wednesday in a pool at a Northeast Dallas condominium complex, police say Read the article……………………………….
Sprinkler system knocks down fire at Orleans condo complex (MA)
A sprinkler system doused a stove fire in a multi unit condo complex in Orleans Wednesday afternoon. The fire started on the second floor of the three story structure Read the article……………………………
Sea Gate Homeowners in Uproar Over Payouts Tied to Private Police Force Misconduct (NY)
The NYPD is not New York City’s only police force under scrutiny over reports of misconduct. A string of legal cases filed against members of the private Sea Gate Police Department, who patrol a gated community at the tip of Coney Island, allege some officers have: Read the article………………………
Vacant lot pits homeowners against their home owners association (TX)
A zoning issue in one local neighborhood put on hold due to the pandemic is back. “This is kind of a quiet neighborhood street,” said homeowner Kim Gibbs…..Kim Gibbs lives across the street and supports proposed rezoning that would allow developers to build about 20 townhomes. However, the land is currently zoned for multi-family use, […]
Baca Grande POA receives grant to prepare for wildfires (CO)
The Baca Grande Property Owners Association has received a $245,000 2019 State Fire Assistance grant to reduce the wildfire risk within the community, with an emphasis on creating healthier, more fire-resistant common lands. Baca Grande POA applied for the grant in partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service. The Colorado State Forest Service works with […]
1 injured in Pacific Beach condo fire (CA)
Firefighters Monday night rescued one person from a fire that broke out inside a condominium building in Pacific Beach. Firefighters contained the flames to the eighth floor. Investigators are looking into what sparked the blaze. Read the article…………………………….
Houston neighborhood’s deed restrictions read as if they only allow white people to live there (TX)
There are renewed calls to change an outdated, racist rule in the deed restrictions of Houston’s Oak Forest neighborhood. KHOU reported on the issue three years ago. The old rule states only white people could own and live in homes in the northwest Houston subdivision. Read the article…………………………
Association May Keep Unit Keys (FL)
Q: My condominium association has the digital key-code to my unit but is still insisting on having a physical key. Is the law specific on how I have granted them access to my unit? Read the Q&A…………………………….
Maintenance worker drowns in lake near Pembroke Pines condos (FL)
A man has died after, police said, he drowned in a lake while performing maintenance at a condominium complex in Pembroke Pines. Investigators said the victim, a 22-year-old man, had been hired by the homeowners association to perform water management and land erosion maintenance. Read the article…………………………..
Foothills HOA meeting turns heated over election timing (AZ)
An effort to partially stymie the impact of a special election on changes to the Foothills Community Association charter bylaws backfired when four of its seven board members refused to support longtime HOA President Bill Fautsch. Read the article……………………………….
Homeowners vow to ‘not back down’ in legal battle with Billings water district over leaking canal (MT)
A group of Billings homeowners living directly under the Billings canal have filed a lawsuit against the Billings Bench Water Association after they say a constant leak in the canal has massively damaged homes and caused financial ruin. Read the article…………………………….
Co-ops and Condos Must Act Fast to Protect Against Looters (NY)
As New York City is convulsed by protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, some co-op and condo boards are facing a problem that was unimaginable just a week ago: how to protect their street-level commercial spaces from looting and vandalism. There are smart precautions boards can take – but they need to […]