In 2004, Disney sold the downtown of utopian Celebration, Florida, to a private equity firm. Residents say it took their money and let the city rot around them. Read the article…………………………
West Chester condo owners claim scheme led to $380K-plus loss (OH)
A group of West Chester Twp. condominium owners claim some condo association board members and a contractor have bilked them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, both in a criminal complaint and civil lawsuit. Read the article…………………………
‘We’re Going To Flood Again’: This Houston Neighborhood Got Hit Twice In 2019 (TX)
As it always does, Christmas is coming to Kingwood. But this year, for some residents who’ve been flooded, it won’t be the same. When Nancy Vera’s home in Kingwood’s Elm Grove subdivision flooded for the first time in May, the family carefully saved all their holiday decorations. But those boxes didn’t survive when Tropical Storm […]
Short-changed workers at Downtown luxury condo receive $400k in back pay from legal settlement (NY)
City and state officials returned more than $400,000 in unpaid wages to building service workers of a luxury Downtown Brooklyn condo building as part of a multimillion-dollar legal settlement Tuesday. Read the article…………………………
Woodlawn Springs homeowners won’t appeal development (KY)
The Woodlawn Springs Homeowners Association won’t try to reverse a judge’s denial of their appeal of a Fiscal Court decision that opens the way for the golf course’s owners to build more homes on the abandoned greens and fairways. Read the article…………………….
6 Years Late, $13 Million in Debt, County Concedes Incompetence Running Utility as It Seeks Plantation Bay Bailout (FL)
Six years ago, the Flagler County Commission, behind then-Administrator Craig Coffey’s deal-making, agreed to buy the Plantation Bay utility from developer Mori Hosseini for $5.5 million in a late-night vote despite public qualms that the county was acquiring a clunker, an official government consortium’s analysts that placed the utility’s value at no more than $1 […]
Flood prevention costs for condos and businesses could soar in Fort Lauderdale (FL)
Fort Lauderdale residents and businesses will have to pay more to protect against flooding, but how those extra costs are split could pit condo owners and businesses against homeowners. Read the article…………………………….
Elderly Woman In Critical Condition After Dallas Condo Fire (TX)
An elderly woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition after a fire at a Dallas condominium early Tuesday morning. Watch the news report……………………..
Silver Spring Resident Quarantined by a Sinkhole (MD)
Silver Spring resident Brian Kildee hasn’t been able to access one-third of his home the past two months, thanks to a geological phenomenon. He can’t have guests sleep over, work in his home office or access his family’s Christmas decorations. All because of a sinkhole. Kildee lives in a condominium in the National Park Seminary […]
Center Point mayor says demolition could be next for Woodside Condominiums (AL)
The mayor of Center Point is telling property owners to clean it up or the city will tear it down. Lately there has been a spike in crime in the Shadowood Circle area and notices have been handed out. Those notices are 60-day notices sent out to each of the Woodside Condominiums owners. Owners must […]
Division of condominiums has jurisdiction to investigate record inspection complaints (FL)
Q: What are my options if the board of directors still refuses to provide information in response to a formal “Request for Information” form? Do I need to hire a lawyer? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Should extra ballots be counted? (FL)
Q: My condominium association recently held its annual meeting and the election was quite close. Only one vote separated the candidates for the last open director position. The candidate that lost the election by one vote requested to review all the election materials, including the ballots. He determined that three election ballots, all with votes […]
Diamondhead residents sue Colorado developer (AR)
A class-action lawsuit filed by a group of Diamondhead property owners and residents claimed a Colorado developer is hurting property values in the gated subdivision and damaging the environment. The complaint filed last week in Garland County Circuit Court said Omni Home Builders at Diamondhead Resort Community LLC’s clearing of lots it acquired last year […]
Large Fire Department Response To Blaze In Skokie Condo (IL)
Several firefighers responded to a blaze in an condominium building in Skokie and rescued two dogs who were trapped inside. The fire broke out at 10118 Old Orchard Court. One person escaped the blaze and was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A police officer was treated for smoke at the scene. Read the […]
Treasurer to look at office’s relationship with special tax districts (SC)
Cathy Miller is looking to make changes at the Greenwood County Treasurer’s Office. The former Beyond Abuse director was named treasurer in October and wants to change how her office handles special tax districts, which Greenwood County Council approved creating in December 2014. Read the article…………………………….
HOA rules still in effect; board can be recalled (NV)
Q: Could you help my community? It is falling apart. I am collecting signatures from the owners who live in the property, but I have questions regarding the bylaws and the covenants, conditions and restrictions. Please see attached papers and let me know what we can do to remove the board that has been there […]
Las Vegas man paid HOA dues for decade, wasn’t member of association (NV)
Jonathan Friedrich lives in the well-manicured Rancho Bel Air neighborhood west of downtown Las Vegas. His house is the Americana archetype with pink flamingos and a decorative water fountain in the front yard. Two patriotic buntings flank a hanging American flag obscuring the view of the front door. But there is something far more conspicuous […]
HOA Homefront: Who is minding the board? (CA)
Q: Is there an oversight/audit department on a state level that oversees the management of an association? I am finding contradicting and wrong information in the minutes. Q: Is there a governing body that oversees all HOA groups? Ours is not enforcing its CC&Rs. What can we do besides sue them? Read the Q&A………………………….
HFD estimates Makiki condo fire damage totaling more than $540K (HI)
Damage estimates for a Wednesday night Makiki high-rise fire was $541,250 total, the Honolulu Fire Department said in a news release. Read the article…………………………..
KHOU 11 Investigates: Homeowners confront manager of non-existent HOA (TX)
Property owners in Acres Homes came face-to-face with the man who they claim has been ripping them off for more than a decade. In April, KHOU 11 Investigates uncovered hundreds of people were paying an elusive man who collected dues for an HOA that did not exist. Read the article……………………….
Families claim new homes funded by the city to ‘promote quality living’ are falling apart (FL)
Many families who live at the Payne Avenue Walk are calling the new housing community a “scam.” They say the work is still not complete years later. Read the article……………………….
Bastrop County leaders discuss private road signage policy (TX)
Bastrop County leaders had a discussion Monday that focused on a policy regarding street name signage on private roads. A “private road” is defined as a road not maintained by the county. According to Bastrop County Engineer Carolyn Dill, this could include roads maintained by a road district, homeowner’s association or a property owner’s association. […]
The parking authority wants their private spots, but these residents say to hold on (PA)
The residents of the Market Street Villas in Bethlehem say their private parking spots were their condos’ major selling point. Without them, many wouldn’t have bought a home steps from the city’s bustling Main Street, where parking is at a premium, they said Wednesday at a Bethlehem Parking Authority meeting. Read the article………………………….
Condominium column: Who is responsible for termite damage? (FL)
Q: Our A/C and water heater are outside of the unit, located in the hallway. The door to the A/C and heater has termites. Who is responsible for the damaged door and how about the termites? Read the Q&A…………………………….
Why prospective buyers are asking Saddlebrook condo owners to pitch in on resort’s revitalization (ME)
A Boston investor that plans to buy the idled Saddleback Mountain ski area in Rangeley has asked the owners of the resort’s 121 condominiums to donate $5,500 each to help revive it Read the article……………………..
No Thanks: The Lot of a Co-op Board President (NY)
Paranoia seems to be an inevitable part of daily life in this big city. And paranoia is in evidence among some co-op shareholders and condo unit-owners who, whenever a decision is made that they don’t like, immediately suspect the board of malfeasance. To these people, the board members have grown drunk on their power to […]
Waxhaw HOA says ‘Christmas Vacation’ decorations need to go (NC)
A Waxhaw Christmas display has one homeowner’s association upset. They’re asking the homeowner to take down part of their Christmas display because it is considered “abnormal”. When you drive through the Millbridge Community in Waxhaw you’ll find typical Christmas decorations, then there is one home depicting two classic scenes from the movie National Lampoons Christmas […]
UPDATE: 11th HOA lawsuit against Ridgway Lane pushes alleged missing funds to over $2.1M (MS)
The number of homeowner associations in the metro Jackson area that are suing Ridgway Lane and its president and vice president now stands at 11……..On Monday, the Timbers Homeowners Association filed suit in Rankin court alleging more than $90,000 in missing funds. Read the article………………………..
Bill Would Make Co-ops and Condos Eligible for Full Disaster Relief
U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler – a New York Democrat who, as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is overseeing the presidential impeachment hearings – has somehow found the time to co-sponsor a piece of legislation that has nothing to do with Donald Trump but has huge implications for co-ops, condominiums, and homeowners’ associations (HOAs). Read […]
Condo applicants dogged by pet interview requests (NY)
As competition heats up among home buyers in an increasingly tight market, some condominium and co-op boards are demanding that pet owners subject their furry friends to an ‘interview’ to make sure they’re a good fit. Read the article……………………
Unincorporated homeowners feel the financial pinch of fire safety (CA)
While waiting for the first rains of the year, one Glen Ellen neighborhood was busy tackling fire hazards by cutting back tall, dry grass; removing wood piles and overhead branches; and sweeping away leaves — all to comply with defensible space requirements. While costly, many agree the expense is worth the peace of mind. Area […]
New HOA lawsuit against Ridgway Lane claims over $500K in damages (MS)
A 10th homeowners association filed a lawsuit against Ridgway Lane. Eastbrooke Condominium Association fined against Ridgway, David W. Lane and David L. Lane on Friday. Eastbrooke claims more than $500,000 went missing from its accounts due to the actions of the Lanes. Read the article……………………………
Homeowner asks judge to step aside (NH)
Charging that a string of adverse rulings shows prejudice, a local property owner asked a Superior Court judge Friday to step down from presiding over a civil case being brought by the Governors Island Club homeowners association. “Up to now you’ve been one-sided,” Richard Homsi said during a hearing in front of Judge James D. […]
36 residents displaced when worker soldering pipes in East County condo sparks fire (CA)
The fire in the Bradley Avenue building caused ‘well over’ $1M in damage, fire official said. A worker soldering copper pipes accidentally ignited a fire Sunday afternoon in an East County condominium complex that spread to the building’s roof, damaging at least nine units and sending 36 residents looking for temporary housing, a fire official said. […]
As Abatements End, Condo Property Taxes Soar (NY)
Nothing is certain but death of tax abatements. The 421-a tax abatement ended in 2016, but the benefits of the expired program continue for many luxury condo unit-owners. Now, as the 10- to 25-year abatements phase out, the owners of those apartments are seeing staggering increases in their property taxes – just as the once-robust […]
Provo residents displaced after condominium fire on Thanksgiving (UT)
Over 80 residents have been displaced as the result of a fire that took place in the North Canyon Condominiums on Thanksgiving day. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it was most likely started by an electrical issue in the attic, according to Provo Fire and Rescue. Read the article………………………..
Surprise pact raises questions about UF Health’s future involvement in The Villages (FL)
Friday’s surprise announcement of a healthcare pact between The Villages and the University of Florida Health caught many area residents and medical professionals by surprise – and also left many unanswered questions. Read the article……………………………..
Firefighter dies after falling from roof of Copper Mountain condo (CO)
A Summit Fire and EMS firefighter fell to his death early Saturday morning while fighting a fire at a condominium in Copper Mountain. The accident occurred about 2 a.m. at the Bridge End condominium at 860 Copper Rd. Summit Fire and EMS said Ken Jones, 46, was battling a fire from the roof of the […]
Covenants are public record and must be provided to owners on request (FL)
I moved into my townhouse a little over a year ago. I have not received the master declaration of covenants or bylaws. A month after I moved in, problems started happening. The main issue is that there is a drainage problem after every rain. I have to park my car across the street because the […]
Outfitter files to join county against Flying Heart (ID)
Silver Creek Outfitters has filed to join Blaine County in its legal challenge to parking restrictions in the Flying Heart Ranch subdivision north of Hailey, according to court documents. Read the article………………………….
HOA sues retired Texas City couple for up to $100,000 for flower beds that don’t meet guidelines
A property owner’s association is suing a retired Texas City couple for thousands of dollars over a dispute about flower beds that did not meet the HOA’s guidelines. Klaas and Dorothy Tadema moved into the Lago Mar neighborhood after their Dickinson home flooded during Hurricane Harvey. Read the article…………………………………
Homeowner concerned about SWAT team in community (NV)
Q: Hello, and thank you in advance for your consideration of my inquiry. I do enjoy reading your informative column in the paper. Earlier this year, the police SWAT team visited a house in my master-planned community. The tank and flash bangs were disconcerting to me and other residents in our relatively quiet neighborhood, and […]
Unit owners are not always people (IL)
Q: Each board member for our condominium association must be a unit owner. One of the current board members is an investor in a limited liability company that owns many units in the association. Does this person qualify as an owner who can be on the board? Read the Q&A……………………………
Maine Township condo association sues insurance company after fatal 2018 fire (IL)
A suburban condominium association is suing a major insurance company after a fatal fire destroyed much of a 35-unit building in Maine Township last year. In a lawsuit filed last month in Cook County Circuit Court, the Landings Condo Association, Building J, alleges that Farmers Insurance Group failed to provide adequate insurance coverage for its […]
The Taxman Cometh for Some Condos (NY)
Buyers, take note: Discounts can be found as thousands of luxury apartments are set to lose a valuable tax break in the midst of a softening resale market. Read the article……………………….
Northshore firefighter faces ‘nightmare’ months after his own condo destroyed (LA)
Months after his home was destroyed by a fire, a Northshore firefighter says he’s facing a homeowner’s nightmare. Slidell Firefighter Dustin Moreau owns a condo at Emerald Forest Apartments, but his building was declared a total loss after it caught fire in June. He was working as an EMT and not at home when it […]
Sun City, Sun City West HOAs conducting joint meetings (AZ)
Sun City and Sun City West share a common history and therefore have mutual interests in a variety of issues. To find the best opportunities for both communities, officials from the HOA organization of each community began conducting joint, informal meetings, according to Jim Hunter, Sun City Home Owners Association board president. Read the article……………………..
Myrtle Beach residents face HOA violations for driving commercial vehicles into neighborhood (SC)
A Myrtle Beach resident is facing nearly $1,000 in homeowners’ association fines after getting picked up for work in a commercial vehicle. Marcos Andrade has lived in the Burcale Commons community for nearly three years and said he was picked up for work every day. Read the article………………………..
CC&Rs or rules, and a forgotten bylaw amendment (CA)
Q:I’m confused between “rules” and “CC&Rs.” Our board, over the years, has implemented new rules. What I don’t understand is: How is this different than making changes to the CC&Rs, which would require homeowner approval? For example, the board passed a rule that prohibited playing sports in the street. When I bought my house, there […]
Colorado metro districts and developers create billions in debt, leaving homeowners with soaring tax bills (CO)
Metro districts are taxing authorities created by subdivision developers, with the consent of the local government, for the sole purpose of selling government-like bonds to finance their projects. Repayment of the bonds is tied to future property taxes assessed to the homes that will eventually be built. Read the article………………………….