He’s the Lord of the Gadflies. James Miller holds his luxury Upper West Side high-rise accountable for everything he can think of — and then some — from security, sidewalk cracks, pool temperature, squeaky elevators and tree removal to unfriendly employees and how the snow is shoveled. Read the article……………………..
Residents on Lake Orono seek taxing district (MN)
Residents around Elk River’s Lake Orono are working on a special taxing district that will contribute monies toward the restoration and maintenance of that lake, officials learned on May 6 at a work session. State agencies have identified the lake as impaired due to algae pollution and invasive species infestation, and for the past three […]
Continuing to serve after resignation? (FL)
Q: The president of my condominium association resigned verbally at a board meeting both as a director and as president. A few hours later he sent out a written notice expressing his desire to resign effective immediately. A newsletter was sent by the association to the entire community advising all the members of the resignation. […]
Homeowners, HOA clash over backyard gazebo (NV)
There’s a battle brewing between two Las Vegas homeowners and their HOA. The issue centers around a gazebo housed in their backyard. Read the article…………………..
One Ocean’s condo association sues Related alleging shoddy construction (FL)
Jorge Pérez’s effort to unload a four-bedroom penthouse he owns at One Ocean in Miami Beach may have just gotten more complicated. Miami’s condo king just chopped nearly 50 percent off his original three-year-old asking price of $20 million on the unit, in response to the oversupply of luxury condos. Now, One Ocean’s condominium association […]
Federal law allows for service animals in HOA (NV)
Q: I am being constantly harassed with doctored-up photos taken of my door. I have one active service dog — a white German shepherd named Snow. I have a retired service dog who is 13½ years old. She has hip problem. And I have a 5-year-old military retired police dog. Read the Q&A…………………
Polo Farms residents upset over possible mine operation coming to area (SC)
A mine could be coming to the Polo Farms area of Highway 905. Professional Engineer, Steve Powell with Venture Engineering says his clients are looking to mine sand and create a lake behind the community. Powell explained the project will be 55 acres. He believes the lake could act as a flood mitigation basin, but […]
Florida drags feet for decades on fire safety for condos
Man discovered fire hundreds of thousands of years ago. And for almost that long, or so it seems, politicians and taxpayers in Florida have been arguing about fire. It’s fire safety, to be specific, and whether high-rise condos should be required to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems in case of fire. Read the article………………………
Former SEC chief accountant sues his HOA over bicycle crash, wins $41 million award (FL)
A Palm Beach County jury has awarded $41 million in damages to a former Securities and Exchange Commission official who suffered severe injuries in a bicycle crash in his Jupiter neighborhood. James Schnurr was forced to leave his job as the SEC’s chief accountant in 2016 so he could recover from the April 2016 crash. […]
Flags meant to support police torn down at Palatine condos (IL)
American-style flags with a blue stripe designed to support law enforcement are back up at a Palatine condominium complex near Lake-Cook Road, replacing the original batch of 14 that authorities say was ripped down during National Police Week. Palatine police Cmdr. William Nord said an investigation into who caused the damage continues. An examination of […]
Buckhorn Homeowners Association Awards College Scholarships (FL)
The Buckhorn Homeowners Association is dedicated to helping neighbors enjoy the community and to provide a safe environment for all to enjoy. Aside from that, it also provides scholarships for worthy students living in Buckhorn. This year, two seniors were awarded $500 college scholarships at the annual meeting held at Buckhorn Springs Country Club on […]
Move-out day approaching for dozens living in condo complex deemed ‘public nuisance’ (OH)
Move out day for residents of a Whitehall neighborhood comes with frustration and fear for those left living at Woodcliff Condominiums. The city of Whitehall says the community is responsible for the longest running environmental court case in Franklin County history. Whitehall Development Director Zach Woodruff says the property was declared a public nuisance in […]
Police: Oviedo mayor threatens to kill neighbors who threatened to call police on his daughter (FL)
Oviedo Mayor Dominic Persampiere threatened to kill his neighbors Monday evening after they told his 26-year-old daughter that they would call the police on her, an Oviedo Police Department incident report said.0 Police said they were called shortly before 8:45 p.m. to a subdivision near Alafaya Trail and East Chapman Road after Christopher Bain, 48, […]
Kingwood Residents Push For Disaster Declaration Over Flood Damage (TX)
Residents of a Kingwood neighborhood are pressing for a federal disaster declaration, following last week’s flooding. But, Harris County leaders are having trouble obliging them. Homes in the working-class neighborhood of Elm Grove took up to 18 inches of water last week. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said she’s determined to help, but she said […]
Florence flooded their homes, so they’re rebuilding. Now a billion-dollar bridge looms (NC)
While still overcoming a natural disaster that severely flooded their homes, residents of Stoney Creek, Snee Farm, Planters Walk, and The Farms at Snowfield in Leland are now fighting for a voice in Cape Fear Crossing. Read the article…………………………
Could Killings in Luxury Miami Condo Mean Legal Headache for Paraiso Bay? (FL)
News of the slaying of two women at a luxury Miami condominium building shook Paraiso Bay residents and may trigger a negligent-security lawsuit. The women’s families could have a case against the condo association, Miami attorney Jason Kellogg said. The killings also highlight a controversial state law that says real estate brokers and home sellers […]
Arizona Homeowners Association and Hams Agree on Outdoor Antenna Guidelines
The Board of Directors of an antenna-restricted community in Arizona voted overwhelmingly in April to allow radio amateurs to erect certain outdoor antennas on their properties. Some 75 hams live in the 10,000-home Sun City Grand, a self-contained residential community for older adults. An article in the Grand Ham Newsletter by Gordon Bousman, NW7D, called […]
Residents lead charge to install Ann Arbor’s first curbside EV station (MI)
Because it had never been done before, there wasn’t an established city permit process for a curbside EV station. They also needed to convince their condo association to approve the project. Torrella approached the city and the Pittsfield Village board of directors with the idea early last year. His persistence led to a closed meeting […]
No Time Limit to Record Amendments (FL)
Q: After the unit owners in a condominium association vote to approve an amendment, is there a time limit or deadline by which the amendment must be recorded with the county? Read the Q&A……………………
Who’s responsible for water damage? (FL)
Q: A unit owner in our building suffered water damage in his unit due to a clog in his drain pipes. He is claiming that the Association should pay for all of the repairs inside the unit. Coincidentally, this owner does not have insurance and the drains have otherwise been working fine. Is there any […]
Committee wants to be independent of board in making recommendations (FL)
As a property manager for over 30 years, primarily for HOAs, I have a unique question regarding board meeting notices. It’s my understanding that all board meeting notices be “posted” prior to the meeting date. I recently had a meeting with the board and the attorney. It was held at the attorney’s office and, as […]
Are hearings for rules violations public? (IL)
Q. The board of our condominium association conducts rules violation hearings in an open session of board meetings. This permits all owners to attend and watch the hearing. I thought these rules violation hearings are supposed to be closed to owners. What is correct? Read the Q&A……………………..
Condo owner complains of being harassed by renter (NV)
Q: I would like to ask for your insight. In our condominium complex we have units owned by out-of-state investors, What are my rights when it comes to dealing with aggressive, threatening behavior from tenants. I have been verbally threatened once by the current tenant living in my building and I called the police. The […]
HOA Homefront: How a new law on free speech and assembly has opened a can of (privacy) worms (CA)
Q: Our board is considering banning informal meetings in common areas. To me, this sounds like a violation of the constitutional right of assembly, but are there laws in California that cover this? Read the Q&A……………………
Failing septic systems foul SC homes and waterways, but solutions are costly (SC)
Failing septic systems pollute Lowcountry waters with raw sewage and leave some residents with fouled yards and homes, but the cost of modern sewer connections and questions about government mandates have made the problem tricky to solve Read the article……………………..
Fort Worth HOA Orders Homeowners to Move Ice Cream Truck (TX)
A South Fort Worth homeowners association has ordered a couple to remove an ice cream truck from their own driveway, saying it violates a rule which forbids homeowners from parking commercial vehicles. The couple says it’s their business and neighborhood kids depend on it. Read the article……………………..
Wesmere Subdivision homeowners sue HOA over street parking (FL)
Two lawsuits have been filed against Ocoee’s Wesmere subdivision over street parking. Residents say the HOA is now enforcing a street-parking ban that is in the bylaws but hasn’t been enforced in nearly 30 years. “You can’t go from allowing it or there is no enforcement to suddenly no exceptions,” said Denise Harrison, who is […]
Special tax district for Ranch Estates OK’d (MD)
The Calvert County commissioners approved a request from the Property Owners’ Association of Chesapeake Ranch Estates for a four-year special taxing authority with a $25 fee increase. The decision to increase the fee was met with opposition. Read the article……………………
Ask Joe: Was permit needed to spray herbicide in Double Diamond flood channel? (NV)
From the Ask Joe file, we are following up on a question from last week about the way a flood control channel is being managed in south Reno that has a lot of residents concerned. Many of you reached out on Facebook to ask what crews used to treat the Double Diamond flood channel and […]
DeKalb County to demolish 56 units at Brannon Hill condominiums (GA)
DeKalb County is set to demolish dozens of dilapidated condominium units on Thursday. It’s part of an ongoing revitalization project in the Clarkston community. Watch the news report………………………..
Termite Trouble: Homeowners say nothing is being done about a termite infestation (FL)
Buying a home is a big investment. But in one Kendall neighborhood, owners are watching their homes being eaten away, and they said there is nothing they can do to stop it. 7s’ Brian Entin has more on their “Termite Trouble.” Kendall’s Pinetree Village is a cozy place to live with groups of connected townhomes […]
HOA: Vietnam veteran must remove garage door mural honoring vets (FL)
A Vietnam War veteran living in North Fort Myers has been fighting to keep a mural honoring veterans on his home. The management of his gated community of Del Tura Golf and Country Club informed him that they received a complaint about the mural on his garage door, which depicts the silhouette of a soldier […]
Workers turned heroes after a fire breaks out at a condo complex (IL)
A fire that broke out at Chateau Richelieu turned a group of workers into heroes. Roofers sprang to action to assist residents in evacuating –especially the elderly, who required some help in getting out. Read the article……………………..
Bridgeport condo residents vote to pay flooding damage repairs (CT)
Residents of a city condo complex have agreed to cover the $235,000 cost for repairs made after flooding damaged units last September. “There was a lot of discussion, a lot of anger and they voted to approve it,” said Cartright Towers resident Judith Rudikoff after a meeting of the condo’s residents and members of the […]
Napili Point II condo reaches settlement on shoreline access (HI)
Shoreline access to Honokeana Bay through “Fisherman’s Trail” will be restored as part of a settlement involving the Napili Point II condominium. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in 2nd Circuit Environmental Court in January 2018 are Na Papa’i Wawae ‘Ula’ula, a West Maui shoreline and Native Hawaiian practices protection group; the West Maui Preservation […]
Plague of frogs: Five Mile property owners say stormwater pond is ruining their neighborhood (WA)
…..Planning documents are clear about who’s responsible for maintaining the stormwater pond, and its partner a little farther north, at the intersection of Palm Place and Strong Road. A declaration signed by the city and Hayden Enterprises, the developing firm in charge of constructing the subdivision in 2004, indicates the Panorama Place Homeowners Association will […]
Couple desperate after city’s stormwater clogs retention pond (OK)
An elderly Tulsa couple says they can’t move forward with retirement because they can’t sell their house. The problem is – there’s a pond on their property that’s full of debris and it is causing flooding. They say the city’s stormwater is causing their pond to flood and the city won’t do anything about it……… The […]
Religious law firm files appeal after judge overrules verdict on Hayden Christmas display (ID)
A religious law firm is appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on behalf of a Hayden family after a judge overruled a jury verdict finding a Homeowner’s Association discriminated against them based on religion in regards to a Christmas light display. Read the article……………………
What ‘material alterations’ require vote from homeowners associations? (FL)
Q: My condominium association wants to re-plant the island area around the entry guardhouse. This would involve removing the existing, aging shrubs and one overgrown tree, which I don’t believe should have been planted there in the first place. Someone complained this would be a material change to a common element and would require membership […]
Poliakoff: Community development district offers different advantages and disadvantages to an HOA (FL)
Q: We are currently living in a community governed by a homeowner’s association. We are considering moving to a community that is in a community development district. What are the advantages or disadvantages of a CDD versus an HOA? Read the Q&A……………………….
Fix still in the works for Riverfront townhomes in Everett (WA)
Trains are still causing delays for residents of the Riverfront townhomes. A recent blockage left some stranded for more than 1½ hours. The only access for residents of the new development — between I-5 and the Snohomish River — is from Pacific Avenue. In between Pacific and the entrance to the neighborhood is a rail […]
Hiring Management Company is Board Decision (FL)
Q: The board of my homeowners’ association wants to hire a management company. They say it is too much work. We are a small development with very little common property, and we have always been self-managed. A number of us feel that if the board is going to saddle us with this extra expense, it […]
Why has Double Diamond greenbelt turned brown? (NV)
Ask Joe: I checked with John Samberg, the attorney who represents the Double Diamond Homeowners’ Association about what’s happened to a some of the greenbelt areas in South Reno. Samberg says the HOA hired a crew to come out and spray to eliminate weeds in the flood channel which runs through the Double Diamond neighborhood. […]
Residents’ dispute with HOA brings liens, fines and charges of unfair treatment (FL)
A Hispanic family residing in the Pointe West subdivision along Lake Lanier in Hall County is suing its homeowners’ association for discriminatory practices under the Fair Housing Act after plans to construct a backyard family gathering space were nixed. Dr. Martin Moreira and his wife, Zulema, filed the complaint in U.S. District Court-Gainesville division in […]
Alligators keep mail carriers away from neighborhood (FL)
Rain, heat, darkness: they don’t stop mail carriers. But alligators? Now that’s a different story. Mail carriers stopped delivering the mail in a Winter Garden, Florida neighborhood, because of concerns about the reptiles. Now, residents are upset, saying there’s nothing to fear Read the article………………………..
Yes, HOA’s can be sued that’s why they carry insurance (NV)
Q: I have a question. Can a homeowners association be sued? One of the board member who has been bullying the owners for years has also been suing. The legal paperwork only mentioned this specific board member. We are paying the legal consultation with the HOA money. I thought the HOA cannot be sued, but […]
HOA Homefront: Readers want to know what’s “exclusive use?”
Q: If a club in the HOA wants a locked storage space, is it considered exclusive use? Read the Q&A………………..
What’s the point of a condo association quorum? (MI)
Q: Our condominium association’s bylaws state that a quorum of a majority of the association members is required to hold meetings, but we never reach quorum. We’ve tried to get people to come to the annual meeting, but it’s like pulling teeth. Do we really need to reach quorum in order to have a meeting, […]
Verandah residents continue call for amenities, HOA writes letter in response (TX)
The entrance of the Police and Courts Building in Royse City was bustling with angry residents in early April following news of plans to build model homes in the Verandah subdivision. Residents told the Royse City Herald-Banner they had come to the March 26 council meeting to protest plans for model homes, as land in […]
Tampa homeowner left with damaged condo 8 months after flooding (FL)
A Tampa homeowner was left with only half a home for eight months after his insurance company and contractor fought over the cost of repairing his flooded condo. Bill Honan said his trouble began after water started shooting from a pipe in his bathroom – flooding his condo last October. Read the article…………………