Q: At the recent annual meeting for my condominium there was a hotly contested election. Several ballots were signed by owners, thus no longer making them secret. The association rejected these votes. Should those votes have counted? Read the Q&A…………………….
Cleveland condo owners have had it with contractor delays (OH)
Sloppy work around a utility box, siding no longer attached, flashing around windows not fitting properly, buckled trim, all obviously flawed at the Landings in Avon Lake. “When we were having storms there was flooding in our basements because downspout were off for 6 months during this process. It was supposed to be 8 weeks […]
HOA Homefront: Homeowners want to know, can you quit an HOA? (CA)
Q: Is there a way to get out of our three-member HOA? Our home stands alone. The other two are connected. Thank you for your comment on this! Read the Q&A………………………
Fort Lauderdale man says condo association cited him for flying American flag (FL)
Lauer’s American flag flies right over his enclosed patio. But the condo association has since tweaked its rules on where the personal U.S. flags should be placed. “It’s very unfair, especially (because) there’s a lot of military and ex-military and disabled veterans that live in this complex, and they should be able to fly their […]
Goldenvoice suddenly cuts security subsidies to homeowner associations near Coachella music fest (CA)
Several years ago, in an effort to extend an olive branch to homeowners near the Empire Polo Grounds, concert producer Goldenvoice offered to reimburse homeowners associations for security costs incurred over Coachella and Stagecoach festival weekends. Gate guards and security patrols help manage the influx of tens of thousands of people that attend the April […]
HOA president pleads to misdemeanor in embezzlement case (MD)
South Hampton Homeowners’ Association president Ulysee Davis pleaded to one misdemeanor charge of fraudulent misappropriation Tuesday, the first legal outcome arising from charges brought against Davis and four others for allegedly stealing over $100,000 from the South Hampton Homeowners Association over the course of at least five years. Read the article…………………….
Neighborhood Under Construction For Those With Special Needs (AZ)
In what developers say is a first, an entire neighborhood of brand-new homes is set to hit the market that is specifically designed for adults with developmental disabilities. The development called Luna Azul is located in Phoenix. A model home and the neighborhood clubhouse and pool are slated to open in May, while the remainder […]
Day of Reckoning for Trump Tower and Other Energy Hogs (NY)
Today’s the day. The New York City Council is expected to approve a bill that will require most co-op and condo boards to undertake costly retrofits to reduce their buildings’ greenhouse gas emissions. Known as Intro. 1253, the bill will require owners of residential and commercial buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, including co-ops and […]
Substandard Conditions Frustrate Orchidland Lot Owners (HI)
Attending my first general meeting in 1998, and several monthly board meetings after that, gave me first hand experience of the rough and tumble nature of unsupervised subdivision associations. From my perspective there was general confusion among active property owners about the nature of our association. As a result, I began to research the legal […]
Residents discover they’re paying fees to defunct HOA (TX)
When KHOU Investigates checked the status of the Inwood Forest Village HOA, we discovered it was involuntarily dissolved in July of 2007. Read the article…………………..
Woman Evaluated After Spraying Ammonia On Neighbors (FL)
Hazmat crews were called to the Deer Pointe Townhome Community in Deerfield Beach after a bizarre chain of events. The Broward sheriff s office says it started when they got a report of a woman spraying neighbors with ammonia. One victim had to be taken to the hospital. Then paramedics had to transport a deputy […]
“Vaping” Rules Questioned (FL)
Q: We have a few people who “vape” at the swimming pool at our condominium. I complained to one of them once as the fumes were blowing in my direction. They pointed to the “No Smoking” sign posted at the pool and said “there’s no rule against this.” What do you think? Read the Q&A………………………
How do you increase participation to amend covenants? (FL)
Q: Our community documents require two-thirds of all owners to amend the covenants. This seems impossible considering our historical participation levels. Any recommendations on how to increase participation? Read the Q&A…………………………
What a Fishers beekeeper’s dispute with his neighbor says about suburban growth (IN)
The demise of the honeybee may portend the end of the world, but one Fishers resident who wanted to come to the rescue has faced a hornet’s nest of regulation. A nine-month-long neighbor’s dispute with allegations of swimming pool bee swarms and hidden yellow jacket nests led to hours of grueling research and document-digging by […]
Owners must opt in to receive official notices by email (FL)
My condominium association has a new board (all part-time snowbirds) who are sending all correspondence via emails to owners. This includes the annual meeting notice (although the notices are neither properly prepared nor timely), proxy votes and special assessment notices. Can all owner correspondence be sent by email? Read the Q&A………………….
Civil lawsuit in woman’s downtown Orlando condo murder cites door’s electronic keypad (FL)
A civil lawsuit stemming from a murder in downtown Orlando is tied up over a piece of equipment. Sasha Samsudean’s body was found in 2015 in her Uptown Place condo on Orange Avenue. A security guard hired to patrol the building was convicted of her murder in 2017, but the attorney representing her parents is […]
Issues to be considered when rewriting governing documents (FL)
Q: Our condominium association is contemplating re-writing our governing documents. What are the most important issues that the board should consider? Read the Q&A…………………….
State Legislature should review HOA disclosure policies (NV)
Q: I read your column every Sunday. Thank you for all of the valuable information you have passed along over the years. I have saved many of those articles and keep them handy so that I have them available should a similar issue arise for our community. I appreciate the time you put into answering […]
Epic saga continues over donated land (DE)
The recent controversy over a library book kiosk at The Villages of Five Points is a new chapter in the property’s long-contentious story. In 2011, the focus was on a proposed CVS, which now sits next to the embattled kiosk. People for and against the pharmacy attended Sussex County Council meetings – some donning red […]
HOA Homefront: How to determine if your manager is qualified
Previously, I’ve written about management options and contracts. Today, we’ll look at what happens after selecting the management services and how a board can tell that a manager prospect is qualified. California managers are unregulated, with no required license or minimum education. While rental managers must have real estate broker licenses, HOA managers do not. […]
Rancho Bernardo to honor 63 volunteers on Saturday (CA)
All are welcome to join the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation in honoring 63 locals on Saturday morning during the 10th annual Hats Off to Volunteers. All are welcome to join the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation in honoring 63 locals on Saturday morning during the 10th annual Hats Off to Volunteers. Read the article…………………..
Homeowners’ Association missing over $30,000 from bank accounts (OH)
The treasurer for the Landerwood Glen Homeowners’ Association reported April 9 that unauthorized and fraudulent withdrawals were made from at least two accounts: over $15,000 from checking as well as an associate money market account where more than $15,500 was removed between March 28 and April 1. The Key Bank fraud department is opening an […]
Action 9 investigates runaway condo fees (FL)
Action 9 investigates sky-high condo fee increases that many owners claim will force them to sell. They’re facing a 400% fee hike and say state regulators aren’t protecting them. Consumer investigator Todd Ulrich took their case to the condo board and the state to get answers. It’s been their beach escape for 16 years, […]
Calvert board holds hearing on Ranch Club’s proposed STD (Special Tax District) (MD)
For the six time in 21 years, leaders of the Chesapeake Ranch Estates’ (CRE) homeowners’ association board have requested Calvert County officials to collect a special tax for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing roads and infrastructure. The levy being requested by the Property Owners Association of Chesapeake Ranch Estates (POACRE) is $275 per lot, […]
East Bay Woman Wins Blue Light Fight for Autism Awareness (CA)
An East Bay woman is claiming victory Tuesday on behalf of her autistic son and autism awareness in general after she was given the “okay” to leave blue lights outside of her home for Autism Awareness Month. For the past 10 years, every month of April, Lisa McBride turns her outdoor lights blue in honor […]
Who’s responsible for a flooded road? (TX)
It’s a question that could impact anyone living in an HOA or gated community: when neighbors say a road that never used to flood now floods every time it rains, who do you hold accountable? Read the article…………………….
HOA wants man’s life-size bronze eagle removed from backyard (DE)
A homeowner association wants a veteran to remove his patriotic display from his New Castle County backyard. “I love eagles. It’s our national symbol,” homeowner Rich Killingsworth said. Read the article……………………..
A Chelsea condo with swimming pools for everyone files for bankruptcy. Again. (NY)
The Pool House is taking another dive. The LLC behind Six Sigma’s stalled condominium development at 435 West 19th Street, which includes a personal pool in each unit, filed for bankruptcy a second time last Friday as the project’s restructuring firm gets ready to start from scratch, Commercial Observer reported. Read the article………………….
Timberlane Estates looking to special tax to rescue ailing West Jefferson golf course (LA)
Like a worried golfer reaching for a trusted pitching wedge to get him out of trouble, Timberlane Estates is the second West Jefferson subdivision in two years to turn to a new tax as a way to help get its ailing golf course out of the rough. Read the article…………………..
Are condo associations legally required to provide handicap parking? (FL)
He fought to overthrow Fidel Castro a long time ago, and now he is in another battle to get a parking space close to his apartment. He says he needs it, but does the complex have to give it to him? It’s tonight’s Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser. Read the article……………………..
Marquis Miami’s condo board sues unit owner for violating short-term rental prohibition (FL)
Front desk personnel at the Marquis Miami luxury tower near American Airlines Arena began logging the number of guests entering a unit on the 18th floor on March 13. Over the next 10 days, more than two dozen visitors were granted access to the two-bedroom condo owned by DDW Property Holdings, LLC, a recently dissolved […]
Blue porch lights to support autism bring trouble for East Bay homeowner (CA)
The White House did it. So did the Empire State Building, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower and some 10,000 other landmark buildings. But when a Discovery Bay mother of an autistic son turned her porch lights blue to support World Autism Awareness Day, she got slapped with a noncompliance notice and a warning […]
Gunshot Forces Evacuation Of Bellevue Condo Complex (WA)
A woman fired a single shot inside a downtown-area condo, setting off a chain reaction involving a fire sprinkler. Read the article…………………
Ocean City condo owners fight for transparency on building repairs (MD)
Ocean City condominium unit owners are seeking answers after a proposal to repair their building’s exterior has nearly doubled in cost from what they claim are “added beautification items.” The project to repair the exterior insulation and finish system of the Ocean Place Condominiums building, located in northern Ocean City near the Delaware border, has […]
Condo Maintenance Man Ran Over Man With Car: EH Police (CT)
East Haven man have arrested a condo maintenance worker who is charged with running over a man with his car after the two got into a confrontation on Saturday On Saturday, East Haven police were called to 130 Coe Avenue (Breezewood Condominiums) for a dispute in progress with a report of a pedestrian struck with […]
HOA Board Can Purchase Bulk Cable and Internet (FL)
Q: The board of directors of my homeowners’ association is considering a bulk contract for cable television and internet service for our community. The association has never previously provided cable or internet service to the residents. If the contract is signed, all of the owners would be forced to pay for the service as part […]
Will emotional-support animal fraud ever be curtailed? (FL)
Q: My community is fed up with the emotional support animal loop-hole used to get around the pet rules in our community. Most of us see it simply as fraud. Will this abuse ever stop or at least be curtailed? Read the Q&A………………………..
Truck bans may be legal, but not necessarily advisable (FL)
I am a board member of an HOA in South Florida. When our covenants were written almost 40 years ago, they banned pickup trucks from parking overnight in our community. We are getting pushback from residents about not allowing pick-up trucks overnight. I’ve done the research and find that trucks far out-sell cars these days […]
Preparing for the worst: What Lauderdale County residents can do (MS)
In light of the flooding across the country, including the Mississippi Delta, Williamson advocated for Lauderdale County residents to create their own emergency evacuation plans. Read the article…………………“It’s the same as any other threat we face,” Williamson said. “If you live in the vicinity of a high-hazard dam, then you need to have a plan […]
Neighborhoods could vote to make own improvements. But they would come at a cost (MS)
Want better security in your neighborhood or maybe even a park? Neighborhoods across Jackson will soon be able to tax themselves to pay for such items following the Mississippi Legislature’s passage of a community improvement district bill to become law July 1. The CID law would allow neighborhoods to band together and pay for projects, […]
When units are owned by trusts, corporations and partnerships (IL)
Q. Only owners are permitted to serve on the board of our association. Each year, the association has owners complete a census form identifying the owners of the unit. However, our association runs into the same problem in many of our elections to the board. That is, we elect people who we later find out […]
Some condominium association records now must be permanently maintained (FL)
Prior to a strange amendment to Section 718.111(12), Florida Statutes in House Bill 841 was approved and became effective July 1, 2018 last year, most association records had to be kept for at least seven (7) years. An exception was made for “ballots, sign-in sheets, voting proxies, and all other papers and electronic records relating […]
Verandah neighborhood residents call for more amenities, dissatisfied with current direction (TX)
Residents of the Verandah neighborhood in Royse City are speaking out against what they describe has false promises of neighborhood amenities. A group of more than 15 residents attended a Royse City Council meeting last week in response to a vote regarding a replanning of a portion of the neighborhood. The vote, which was passed […]
HOA Homefront: Selecting a management company — the contract
The previous HOA Homefront column discussed choices in association management. If the association decides to hire a management firm to provide service, the management contract should be an important point of focus for the board. Price is not everything: Hiring a management firm solely on price is a mistake. Associations may discover “you get what […]
A Voorhees neighborhood goes to war against a proposed think tank — an ashram — for world peace (PA)
The prospect of living next door to a think tank for peace has many residents of the Centennial Mill retirement community up in arms. Members of the homeowners association in the 55-and-over Voorhees neighborhood have signed petitions and hired a lawyer. They’re turning out in large numbers to fight the township zoning code variance sought […]
La Bota Ranch residents voice complaints of unsafe environment along Mines Road (TX)
La Bota Ranch is a master-planned subdivision west of Mines Road and north of Loop 20 that was constructed in the early ’90s. On Wednesday, residents demanded the city get rid of manufacturing companies and developments near their school and homes, referring to the unsafe environment it has created. Read the article……………….
HOA complaints in SC: These counties have the most, report says
For the first time ever, the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs released a South Carolina Homeowner’s Association Report. The Department of Consumer Affairs released the report as a result of changes made to the state’s Homeowner Association’s law, which now requires that data from complaints involving HOAs be collected and reported to the governor, General […]
Tempe condo owners may be forced to sell to investor group (AZ)
As Dorsey Place Condominiums in Tempe were being built in 2007, Jake Geller worked with the developer to design accommodations he’d need to live comfortably. He lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an illness that progressively weakens muscles, and uses a motorized wheelchair to get around. To improve his quality of life, the developer installed wider […]
No deal reached between Indian Wells developers, HOA over golf course land (SC)
A compromise on what to do with nearly 154 acres that make up Indian Wells golf course has not been reached between homeowners and the devloper. Many, including those on the Horry County Planning Commission, told WMBF News they hoped a deal could be reached between developers and the Indian Wells Homeowners Association prior to […]
Lake Charlene flood project back in limbo after Escambia County attorney weighs in (FL)
A dispute over the terms of a proposed easement will continue to keep the $2.1 million project to control flooding in the Lake Charlene neighborhood in limbo. The Lake Charlene Homeowners Association voted March 25 to offer Escambia County an easement to give the county permission to use its private property for a flood control […]