Condo complex seeks dunes permit (OR)

The residents of Breakers Point have submitted an application for a foredune grading conditional-use permit to the Cannon Beach Planning Commission that’s scheduled to be heard Jan. 23, according to city officials.  Breakers Point Condominiums are oceanfront properties located at the north end of Cannon Beach.   Read the article…………………………..

Williams Begins Repairs to Failing Slope in Canyon Country (CA)

Developer Williams Homes has begun work to repair a failing slope in a Canyon Country neighborhood that damaged homes in a landslide last year.  In December, the Trestles Community Association announced to homeowners of the affected households that the Santa Clarita Valley-based developer had obtained a permit from the city of Santa Clarita, greenlighting the […]

Springboro dam lawsuit moves toward settlement or trial (OH)

The lawsuit the state filed in August over the condition of a dam holding back water that could flood the Settlers Walk neighborhood and an adjoining shopping center is moving toward settlement or a trial in November.  Read the article…………………………..

West Maui Hui Sues Condo Over Blocked Shoreline Access (HI)

West Maui community groups N? Papa?i Wawae ?Ula?ula and the West Maui Preservation Association filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Mahinahina condominium Kuleana II alleging blocked shoreline access.   Read the article…………………………

Reserve study important for RCSCW in Sun City West (AZ)

One of the best ways to gauge the health of a planned community association such as Recreation Centers of Sun City West is to gauge the association’s reserves.  How much money an association has in reserves, as a percentage of its overall asset replacement requirements is the best way to determine whether a special assessment […]

Ensuring pet safety in condominiums

Q: A few of the residents at our condominium association had noticed increased barking from a dog in one of the units. Attempts to knock at the door and check on things or otherwise contact the owner were unsuccessful, and nobody seemed to be coming to take care of the dog. A family member eventually […]

HOA meets about Missouri City neighbors’ lawsuit against NFL star after brutal dog attack (TX)

Neighbors say their Fort Bend County homeowners association is refusing to enforce its rules when dealing with the property an NFL football player.  Missouri City resident Jerry Flowers is suing The Manors Property Owners Association, Missouri City and Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams after he claims some of the football player’s 11 pit bulls […]

Aggressive squirrels terrorizing Tampa Bay family in their condo (FL)

A Tampa Bay area mother says squirrels have moved into the condominium she’s renting near Kokomo and Marion Roads in Haines City.  After being tormented for 25 days, Annie Peavey called 8 On Your Side Investigates for help. While she admits it sounds silly, Peavey says the squirrels have destroyed her furniture and peace of […]

Some Lake Suzy residents taking stench issue to commission (FL)

Some residents of Lake Suzy are planning to make their voices heard today at the DeSoto Board of County Commissioners meeting in Arcadia.  Homeowners in the Heron Pointe, Egret Pointe and Crystal Bay neighborhoods have had issues with the county over a stench — likened to dead fish or rotten eggs — stemming from a […]

Ocean Pines Seeks Lawsuit Dismissal (MD)

The Ocean Pines Association is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed regarding its failure to hold a referendum.  On Jan. 10, attorneys for the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit initiated by resident Slobodan Trendic. The legal case was filed against OPA and its board members in November after the […]

Montgomery City Councilman Wants More Security Cameras in Neighborhoods (AL)

District 7 Councilman Clay McInnis says these cameras are like ring door bell cameras, except for neighborhoods. His goal is to have 30 cameras installed in his district by the end of the year.  The Hillwood neighborhood off Vaughn Road already has seven cameras installed and paid for by the Homeowner’s Association.    Read the article………………………

Condo Association Must Produce Engineering Study (MA)

On January 6, members of the Villages at Mattapoisett condominium association Board of Directors once again came before the Planning Board to request the return of a $50,000 surety the town holds. This is part of their Special Permit granted a number of years ago and listed as permit condition number 11.   Read the article……………………………

Private roadway in Lorain could turn public, with engineering study moving to full council (OH)

The city is looking at engineering needs to take over a private roadway and assess condominiums for the necessary repairs.  Council’s Streets and Utilities committee met Monday evening to discuss if the engineering department should investigate construction costs and property assessments to rehab a private drive turned public if nearby property owners agree.   Read the article…………………………

Lansing Meadows seeks subdivision (NY)

Developers of the Lansing Meadows senior housing complex spoke in front of the Village of Lansing Board of Trustees on Jan. 6, requesting an amendment to district regulations of the complex’s Planning Development Area (PDA) to permit them to subdivide a parcel of land to sell off three individual townhouses.    Read the article……………………….

Neighbors battle Mauna Kea hotel (HI)

The association of homeowners at the Mauna Kea Resort is appealing the county’s approval of a subdivision without requiring a shoreline survey and other elements of a special management area.   Read the article……………………….

Questions Raised About Rhino Times Article On Lawsuit (NC)

Greensboro City Attorney Chuck Watts said he thought the article in the Rhino Times about the Point South Homeowners Association lawsuit gave an unfair representation of the city’s position.  Point South is suing Greensboro because, in 2019, the homeowners association discovered that it had paid for dumpster service on a dumpster it didn’t have from […]

Boca Raton veteran told to muzzle service dog or move out (FL)

George Little has lived at Banyan Lakes at Boca Rio for five years but now, he says he’s being told to muzzle his service dog or move out.  “It is close to my work, close to my friends, and it is a good neighborhood and it is one of the places that I feel comfortable, […]

Lake Lindero leadership fight comes to a head (CA)

HOA meetings by and large are mundane affairs. Some homeowners attend, perhaps to discuss a barking dog or the unsightly new paint on a neighbor’s home. The business of the community is discussed, and all usually ends well.  Then there’s Lake Lindero.  A meeting for the 459-member homeowner’s association in Agoura Hills is scheduled for […]

Tree Root Damage, Who is Responsible? (FL)

Q: I live in a gated homeowners’ association. Roots from a tree planted on the common area has damaged my driveway. Who is responsible for the repair?   Read the Q&A…………………………..

Who is Responsible for Condo Repairs?

Q:  Our condominium board requested an owner make an exterior repair to comply with our architectural guidelines. The repair was never made, and the owner is now listing the unit for sale. What do we need to do during the buying and selling process to be sure the repair is made? Could the association be […]

Condo owners at 51 Jay sue Slate Property Group, Adam America (NY)

The blame game over construction defects at a luxury Dumbo condo now includes allegations of fraud.  The board of managers at 51 Jay Street is suing Adam America Real Estate and Slate Property Group, the project’s sponsors and developers, alleging breach of contract, fiduciary duty and fraud.   Read the article………………………

Homeowner beats HOA in fight that went to Nevada Supreme Court (NV)

Alongside the American flag and patriotic bunting, a banner unfurls across the roof-line of Jonathan Friedrich’s home.  “Somebody finally has to stand up against these HOAs,” said Friedrich’s attorney Joel Hansen. “He fought hard for what was right. For truth, justice and the American way!” The banner proclaiming the Rancho Bel Air HOA is guilty of […]

What your condo board can and can’t do without homeowner approval

Q: I live in a townhouse community. Our association’s board of directors is redoing our declaration and bylaws without approval of the owners. They say they are just bringing the language up to date, so they don’t need the owners’ and mortgage holders’ approval. Read the Q&A…………………………..

Greensboro Admits It Overcharged, Won’t Refund Money (NC)

Imagine you discovered the city had been double billing you for garbage collection. So you contact the city and the city agrees that through a clerical error, you had been double billed and for years paid twice as much as you should have for garbage service. Do you think the city would? (A) Refund the […]

Residents evacuated for 2-alarm condo fire in Westshore District (FL)

Tampa Fire Rescue battled a 2-alarm fire at a condominium complex in the Westshore District Saturday morning.  The fire occurred at the Villa Sonoma complex at International Plaza.  All residents were evacuated and no one was injured, the fire department said.    Read the article………………………..

Solar panels were rare in Sun City until SC residents convinced HOA (SC)

When Jeff Foreman bought his home in senior-oriented Sun City, he traded a condo in New York City for a suburban neighborhood that seemed social and active.  But with the new neighborhood near Bluffton came a homeowners association, which made Foreman’s plans to reduce his carbon footprint a challenge.   Read the article……………………….

No one wants to be on the HOA Architectural Review Committee (NV)

Q: I enjoy reading your informative weekly column and have three questions regarding architectural review committees.  Our community’s covenants, conditions and restrictions require that any external modifications to an owner’s property be approved “by the board, or by an Architectural Committee composed of three members appointed by the board.”   Read the Q&A…………………………………

Time is running out to file insurance claims for Irma (FL)

Q: Our roofs are original construction. Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, we did not see any noticeable damage and so we did not file an insurance claim. We just spent a lot of money repairing water damage stemming from the roof and the contractor indicated that the roof may be compromised. Is it too late […]

Elderly woman fighting HOA after being hit with $17,000 in fines (GA)

An elderly woman is fighting her homeowners association after she says she’s been fined more than $17,000.  Pat Kramer told 11Alive’s Kaitlyn Ross that there is no way she can possibly pay it.  Kramer has lived in the same Powder Springs house for 13 years, but says when a new management company took over a […]

Snowmass couple gets $50K in service dog dispute with Creekside HOA (CO)

The Creekside Condominium Homeowner’s Association was ordered this week to pay $50,000 to a Snowmass Village couple after the HOA failed to allow a woman to stay at the complex with her service dog, a violation of the Fair Housing Act, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday.    Read the article…………………………

Bella Vista POA sues past board for stump dump (AR)

Current members of the Bella Vista Property Owners Association, POA, are suing former board members for money spent putting out the Trafalgar Road fire.  Last month, attorney Jason Wales filed a lawsuit for Amie and Michael Armstrong at the Benton County Circuit Court against 47 former board members.   Read the article………………………….

Son blames father in Ridgway Lane’s alleged multimillion-dollar fraud of HOAs (MS)

The former vice president of Ridgway Lane & Associates is claiming in court that he had no role in an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud to embezzle multiple metro Jackson homeowner association funds.  Instead, he is pointing the finger at his father, David L. Lane, the former president of the company.   Read the article………………………….

Stone Creek Golf Course closing leaves homeowners nervous for future (IL)

Stone Creek residents were surprised to learn Monday that their golf course and the bar and grill are closing in January.  The owners of the course said they’re closing because they’ve seen fewer golfers this past year while operating costs are rising.    Read the article………………………..

Disaster Loans Available for Dozens Put Out by Dallas Condo Fire (TX)

Help has arrived for dozens of people displaced by a massive condominium complex fire from early December in Dallas.  The U.S. Small Business Administration declared the Dec. 4 fire at the Sable Ridge Condominium Complex, which impacted about 90 people near the intersection of Northwest Highway and Abrams Road, to be a disaster.    Read the […]

Alleged Thieves Use USPS Master Key to Break Into Bucktown Condo Building (IL)

Chicago police are looking for two alleged thieves who used a U.S. Postal Service master key to break into a Bucktown condominium building.  Surveillance video from Friday, Jan. 3 showed the suspects entering the building using a USPS master key and then proceeding to the basement where they made off with several items including a […]

Homeowners association alleges defamation by City of Poughkeepsie (NY)

A homeowners association (HOA) has filed a notice of claim (NOC) against the City of Poughkeepsie seeking damages as a result of alleged defamation. Hudson Pointe Poughkeepsie HOA is seeking damages stemming from alleged comments made by Councilmember Natasha Cherry at an October 7 meeting of the common council.   Read the article…………………………

How much can a board increase assessments? (IL)

Q: The year 2020 assessment notices were distributed to the owners of our association in December. The annual assessment for my unit increased about 11%. By how much can the board increase assessments year over year?   Read the Q&A………………………………