Read the article………………………….
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 […]
Gold Star family fighting to honor fallen son this Memorial Day (AZ)
As Memorial Day approaches, one Gilbert family is in a battle with their Home Owner’s Association because of their attempt to honor their fallen son. Craig and Alma Smith lost their son, Donald Smith, in a military exercise in 2006. Donald Smith received full military honors and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. […]
Delivery truck driver involved in tense confrontation returns to neighborhood with police (OK)
More than a week ago, Travis Miller went to a northeast Oklahoma City neighborhood to make a delivery when a man claiming to be with the homeowner’s association blocked him from leaving. Read the article…………………………
Condo column: Executive committees and board meetings; what you need to know (FL)
Q: I am a new director and our association has an executive committee made up of the four officers and the C.O.O. of our club. I personally see this meeting as a way to get around Sunshine Laws and to conduct a board meeting where board discussion takes place. At the regular board meetings, there […]
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……………………………..
North Olmsted man chokes HOA president over flooding issue, police say (OH)
When North Olmsted police arrived at the victim’s home at 6357 Stafford Dr., the alleged assailant had already left the scene. Multiple witnesses, and the unnamed victim, reportedly told police that Dean Kohler had come to the victim’s home and began to yell obscenities, saying the victim, who is the housing development’s homeowner’s association president, […]
Association “Sunshine Laws” Explained (FL)
Q: We have a five-member board and the board has said that they are only required to post notice of a meeting when three or more board members are together. However, we have learned that often, two board members will meet and discuss the association or that there will be phone calls between two board […]
Condo Workers Strike at 75 Wall Street (NY)
According to a press release from the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, over a dozen residential workers at a luxury condo in Manhattan’s Financial District have gone on strike as of 7a.m. Monday, May 18 to protest what they claim are unfair labor practices at 75 Wall Street. Read the article………………………..
Deathtrap NYC condo killed 28 birds in one day: advocates
Migratory birds are flying thousands of miles to the Big Apple — only to smack into a glassy Upper West Side condo and fall dead, according to bird advocates who tallied 28 fatalities in a single day thanks to the Central Park-adjacent building. Read the article…………………………….
Lawsuit accuses Biscayne Beach developer and construction firms of shoddy work (FL)
Three years after completing the Miami luxury condo tower Biscayne Beach, the developer and firms involved in its construction created a stinky situation for buyers, a recently filed lawsuit alleges. Read the article…………………………….
Ask SAM: How do HOAs enforce covenants? (NC)
Q: I live in a neighborhood that has a homeowners association that is supposed to comply with a declaration of covenants. However, some people in the association believe it is not necessary to comply with the covenants because they believe they are not legally enforceable. An issue that has come up pertains to satellite dishes, […]
Rules on tree trimming by owner (FL)
Q: I am a new owner of a home located within a deed restricted community. Many of the lots, including mine, have large oak trees located between the rear of the residence and the community property line. The oak trees are never trimmed by the association. One oak tree in particular is located on common […]
‘This is absolutely horrific’: Large fire reported on South Padre Island (TX)
Flames are ripping through a condominium complex on South Padre Island Saturday morning. Firefighters are working to contain the fire that broke out at Gulf Point Condominiums, near the Sapphire building, the Brownsville Herald reports. Read the article………………………….
Private sessions of the board allowed in specific instances (IL)
Q: Our board has received conflicting information about what matters it can discuss in private in an “executive session.” Can you explain what matters can be addressed in an “executive session?” Read the Q&A……………………
HOA Homefront: 9 tips to reduce HOA conflict (CA)
Handling conflict is a regular part of governing, managing, or advising HOAs, which are corporations but also neighborhoods. Unlike clubs or churches, when things get unpleasant, a member cannot simply resign, because it is one’s home. Read the article……………………………
Huge utility poles installed in Estates; residents furious (NY)
Village of Garden City residents in the Estates Property Owners’ Association section are outraged at the series of massive utility poles installed for PSEG Long Island power transmission along the LIRR Third Track project, which they believe has forever altered their neighborhood and potentially their property values. Read the article……………………………
Access spat divides South Jackson (WY)
Across from the gate is the under-development Pine Glades neighborhood, a mix of upscale and affordable townhomes. The no-trespassing signs, marking that the road is private, have fed malcontent from neighbors who’d grown accustomed to a cohesive neighborhood and being able to pass through the property on walkabouts to access Snow King and its trail […]
Video shows tense confrontation when local man blocked truck driver trying to make delivery (OK)
Many people have shared a video on social media showing a local delivery truck driver blocked during a tense confrontation for nearly 30 minutes in the Oklahoma City metro. Travis Miller told KOCO 5 that he and a co-worker recently were making a delivery to a home in a neighborhood near Northeast 131st Street and […]
Goats escape, take over California neighborhood (CA)
For a few minutes today, it looked like goats were invading one northern California neighborhood. A local homeowners association in San Jose brings in goats now and then to eat dead grass on the hillside, but today the goats managed to knock over an electric fence and take a leisurely stroll through the streets. Read […]
HOA Homefront: Can the pandemic push up my monthly dues 10%? (CA)
Q: I received a letter from my HOA notifying me of a large (more than 10%) increase in my monthly dues. This is an outrage to subject people to this type of nonsense during the health and financial crisis in the world. I was unable to find anything in current legislation covering HOA payment increases […]
HOA Homefront – Board contacts, discussions and elections (CA)
Q: Is the HOA required to supply the state a current list of the board members? Is the list available for public view? I am not a member of the HOA. Read the Q&A………………………………
Parkland’s Pine Tree Estates Sues the City Over Ownership, Maintenance of Streets (FL)
A legal battle is brewing among residents of Pine Tree Estates against the City of Parkland, and it’s not getting resolved for a while. Hundreds of homeowners have put together a grassroots campaign to fight the city’s efforts to take part of their land as well as the allure of their Parkland community. Read the […]
Are condo owners entitled to see correspondence between the board president and the association’s attorney? (FL)
Q: Are condo owners entitled to see correspondence between the board president and the association’s attorney? Are owners the client or is the board the client especially if association monies are used to pay the legal fees? Our board is stalling the annual meeting and election and refuses to hold either via teleconference where owners […]
Escambia County to review how it became responsible for Innerarity Island’s sewer system (FL)
Escambia County will be re-examining how it became responsible for building a new sewer system on Innerarity Island, after a revelation from the county attorney that the county did not have to take over the project. The Escambia County Commission discussed the project Thursday after the Innerarity Island homeowner association board of directors passed a […]
Car crashes into San Jose condominium complex, setting it on fire (CA)
A car crashed into a condominium complex Friday night in San Jose, hitting a gas main and setting the entire building on fire, according to a San Jose Police Department official. Read the article………………………….
REAL ESTATE MATTERS: Interpretation of condo board rule goes up in smoke
Q: I live in a condo with four smokers living below me. They continually blow smoke out the windows and it rises and enters my unit. Our revised rules and regulations state that no smoke is allowed to migrate to another unit. What can I do when the president of the board advises me that […]
Venice homeowners association fines resident $2,500 over legally-protected clothesline (FL)
The location of the clothesline — the perfect, sunny spot in Wuetcher’s backyard — is visible from the road, which the HOA does not like. “In February of 2019, I got a violation letter saying, ‘You didn’t do what you were supposed to do. We can see it from the street. You have to move […]
Woman killed by alligator in SC was doing homeowner’s nails
The woman attacked and killed by an alligator in a gated community along the South Carolina coast was visiting the homeowner to do her nails and was trying to touch the animal when it grabbed her, authorities said. Read the article………………………………..
Condo column: HOA covenants not being enforced; what recourse do we have? (FL)
Q: We live in a community that has a HOA with covenants. During the past year, many of the covenants have not been enforced by the property manager nor elected board. They have constantly allowed random homeowners to do as they please without regard to the written covenants and restrictions. Most in our community moved […]
FDLE reviewing altercation involving Fred Hawkins, HOA security guard (FL)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is considering investigating an Osceola County Commissioner who is running for the Florida House of Representatives who was involved in a raucous homeowners association meeting that led to the arrest of a security guard. Read the article………………………….
‘More power than a bank’: HOA uses loophole to foreclose on Beulah dad’s home, lawyer says (FL)
Caleb Leitch’s wife passed away unexpectedly in 2013, six months after they bought a new home in Beulah. Leitch, now 31, has spent the last few years putting himself through school, working as a counselor for folks trying to quit tobacco and raising his elementary school-aged son. The last thing on his mind was his […]
Fire Crews Rescue a Dozen in Hayward Condo Blaze (CA)
Firefighters rescued at least a dozen people Monday morning in a two-alarm blaze at a condo complex in Hayward, according to fire officials. Watch the news report……………………………….
Longboat condo installs Mini Reefs underneath docks (FL)
Residents and leaders of the Longboat Harbor Condominium watched on Friday afternoon as 12 Mini Reefs were installed on docks throughout the complex, designed to attract marine life and naturally filter the surrounding water. Read the article…………………………….
HOA board likely has power to enact new rules regulating storm shutters (FL)
Our small HOA has decided to pursue a homeowner who has had his storm shutters closed for most of the last two years. Several of his neighbors are raising a fuss so, in secret, the president and board members passed a rule regarding hurricane shutters, which rule was imposed at a meeting last year. Read […]
Indian Harbour Beach Volunteer Fire Unit Rescues Woman from Fourth Floor Condo Blaze (FL)
Upon arrival, fire units discovered a woman trapped on a fourth-floor balcony, who was rescued by Truck 56 crew, which extended its ladder to extract the occupant. According to Indian Harbour Beach Volunteer Fire Department officials, the fire was contained to the condo unit of origin on the fourth floor, although multiple other condo units […]
Are HOA board term limits allowed? (CA)
Q: According to our election rules and bylaws, no director shall serve more than two consecutive terms. The president now claims that SB323 has done away with term limits and she can run again and continue to serve on the Board for a third consecutive term. She also claims our attorney said there are no longer […]
Homeowner says builder has not provided guard-gated community as promised (NV)
Q: Our HOA board is still controlled by the builder with two declarants and one resident member who is the HOA president. We live in what is being sold as a guard-gated community. It has been over three years, and there is still no gate guard. However, we’ve been told we will be getting a […]
Dam in Middle Georgia Bursts, Draining Lake
A middle Georgia dam has burst, with a local official saying the failure was caused by recent heavy rains…..Bacon said she found in February that the dam needed repairs. Ivey Mayor Brenda Broach says the city, county and Holiday Hills Homeowners Association have been working together in recent months on repairs. She called the breach […]
Community Association Meetings: What You Need to Know (NC/SC)
For those who own property in homeowners’ associations, it is important to understand the different types of association meetings that take place throughout the year. It is especially important that board members not only understand the different types of meetings but the rules surrounding who can and should attend these meetings, how to properly and […]
Yard Sign Saluting McDowell Senior Allowed to Stay Up (PA)
After Millcreek Township School District leaders delivered yard signs to salute all the McDowell seniors last month, the family of senior Conner Williams was told by their homeowners association (HOA) that it would cost them $100 per day to have the sign posted in their yard. The family contacted Erie News Now Friday morning […]
Gran Paraiso construction debris rained down on Edgewater condo building, lawsuit alleges (FL)
At 54 stories, the Gran Paraiso luxury condo tower looms over the seven-story Bayside Terrace Condominium in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood. So when the 319-unit building was being built, construction debris caked Bayside Terrace from all angles, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Read the article…………………………
Co-ops and Condos Making Good Use of the Construction Lull (NY)
In this time of uncertainty, it is difficult for many co-op and condo boards to decide if they should push ahead with construction projects that have been deemed essential under the state’s mandatory pause on nonessential work during the coronavirus shutdown. That same uncertainty is overshadowing many planned capital projects. Read the article…………………………..
Gutter dispute raises concerns for residents (NE)
A long-running dispute over who should pay for water damage in several southwest Omaha condominiums has created a storm of controversy. Rain pouring inside a bedroom window last year shows why there’s so much gutter talk around Deauville Condominiums. Read the article………………………………
Signs in Wekiva Cove neighborhood mark area for residents only (FL)
A Seminole County Homeowners Association says it will not take down signs warning that, ‘In light of the current shelter-at-home orders, only residents are allowed in.’ A full day after the Seminole County Sheriff’s office said it would ask that the signs be taken down, they remain at the entrance to Wekiva Cove. Read […]
Homeowners’ group apologizes after calling Alabama child’s sidewalk art ‘unsightly’
A Riverchase mother is speaking out after her young daughter’s encouraging message left in chalk on the sidewalk was met with assertions that they were defacing the neighborhood and lowering property values…….Shortly after this article published, Seaton received an apology call from the president of the association. Read the article…………………………..
Neighborhood fights over blue Christmas lights to honor medical workers (UT)
It’s four months past Christmas, but one Saratoga Springs neighborhood has been fighting over Christmas lights that a homeowner said he put up to to honor medical workers. Jeff Noorda is a homeowner in the Legacy Farms neighborhood. He still has Christmas lights strung up around his house, even though it’s almost May. But the […]
Homeowners buy community golf course, plan upgrades (FL)
Bonita Fairways Community Association, the homeowner’s association of the Bonita Fairways community, recently purchased the Bonita Fairways Golf Club. Financial terms of the purchase weren’t disclosed. Read the article………………………….
Grandmother says she was told to take down graduation yard sign (FL)
A graduation sign celebrating a local high school senior has caused quite the commotion in one Volusia County community. Barbara Novak said she put up the yard sign over the weekend to honor her granddaughter but said she quickly received a call from someone claiming to be with her homeowner’s association telling her it needed […]