A Thursday deadline is fast approaching for homeowners associations across South Carolina to have all their rules and regulations recorded in county deed offices, or else those rules become unenforceable Read the article………………………
Should homeowners without lake access pay the same dues as their neighbors with lake access?
Q: I live in a homeowner’s association that is aggressive. We have around 250 homes, and some of the homes are on a lake that the association maintains. But homes that are not on the lake do not have access to it. Should the association dues be different for homes that are on the lake […]
Rental Violations Can Be Frustrating (FL)
Q: Our condominium has a three month minimum rental term. However, there seem to be people coming and going all the time, often bringing suitcases like they are checking into a hotel. I know of at least one case where during conversation with a “guest” at the swimming pool, they commented on what a good […]
HOA board has used ‘personnel issues’ as reason for having several private meetings (FL)
Q: Our HOA board called a private board meeting for ‘Personnel Issues’. The meeting was held to discuss an email a director sent by mistake to the general manager. The email had some satirical comments about a board member’s decision. Read the Q&A………………………
Residents seek delivery box for packages (IL)
Q. The board of our association was presented a petition signed by about 30 percent of the owners requesting the board to install a secure package delivery box in the vestibule of our entrance. This box would allow small package deliveries to be made when an owner is not home. The board has expressed some […]
Senior cohousing an ‘antidote to the loneliness’ that hits people as they age
JoAnna and Ken Allen wanted to relocate from suburban Baltimore to the East Bay to be closer to their three children and four grandchildren. But JoAnna was reluctant to give up the friends and activities she had established after 45 years in Maryland and didn’t know what she’d do out here. “I was imagining living […]
Drainage a continuous problem for St. Johns County subdivision (FL)
Homeowners in one St. Johns County neighborhood say their yards and streets flood frequently, to the point where it’s eroding their properties. This is at the Windward Ranch Subdivision, built by Lennar Homes. Neighbors claim their back and side yards are sloping down as the soil continues to wash away. Read the article……………………..
HOA Homefront: Make a target and set 2019 goals
The late and legendary coach John Wooden said, “The most important key to achieving great success is to decide upon your goal and launch, get started, take action, move.” Your association might benefit from setting a few goals, and then moving to achieve them. Here are some ideas for goals in the coming year: […]
In the rough: Golf legend Jack Nicklaus accused of ousting homeowners board in power move (FL)
Famed golfer Jack Nicklaus is facing allegations that he improperly fired board members of the homeowners association and excessively hiked up fees at his Bear’s Club golf resort in Jupiter. Read the article………………….
Exasperated homeowners still waiting for hail damage repairs nearly two years after huge storm (CO)
Residents who live at Garrison Village in Wheat Ridge can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, but they are not happy. Their homes were heavily damaged during a hailstorm on May 8, 2017. Repairs were made to the roofs, but the west facing siding and shattered windows are still covered with […]
D.C.’s new short-term-rental rules allow room for condo associations’ existing bylaws
Q: I am the president of a mid-size condominium in Washington. Our bylaws specifically prohibit short-term rentals of any kind. The board — and most of our members — agree that cutting out short-term rentals and subleases of less than a year helps cut down on the move-in and move-out traffic that creates maintenance distress, […]
Couple petitioning to keep pride flag hung after condo HOA votes to prohibit all flags (FL)
A gay couple fighting to keep their pride flag up in their condo community, plan to take their battle to court. Richard Hughes said he’ll continue to fight after the Green Dolphin Condominiums passed a proposal to prohibit unapproved flags. Hughes filed a discrimination complaint in Pinellas County against the association last year in October. […]
Small Condo Buildings Across City Still Plagued By Foreclosures (IL)
When John Lusk bought a condo in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, he originally thought it was his piece of the American dream. That was in 2005, as aggressive lenders were relaxing standards and hundreds of Chicago apartment buildings were going condo. Read the article…………………
Association’s treasurer accused of embezzlement (VA)
Elizabeth Joan Boyd, 48, was recently charged on six felony counts of embezzlement stemming from her time as the Lake Front Royal Property Owner’s Association’s treasurer. Warren County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Daniel Maxfield said over the phone that the office began an investigation into the matter after receiving a complaint from the association’s board regarding […]
Kindness of neighbors helps woman recover from condo fire (NC)
Something beautiful is starting to rise from the ashes of the terrible fire that destroyed eight condos in southeast Charlotte right before Christmas. One of the survivors, Dianne Esan, tells Channel 9 the kindness of neighbors is helping her family take their first steps forward. Read the article………………..
Valley condo owners living in limbo (AZ)
Real estate investors and residents of a Chandler condominium association appear to be in a stalemate in the take over their complex, according to condo owners. Read the article…………………..JoAnn and Mike Zagarello and their neighbors received a letter in October telling them they needed to be out by December 16.
Residents can’t get potholes fixed on road owned by defunct homeowner’s association (TN)
Potholes have been popping up all over the Mid-South. Neighbors living in one part of Cordova say the craters on their street make it nearly impossible to get home. The road is privately owned, meaning the county can’t fix it and neither can the residents who have to use it every day. Read the article………………
Homeowner’s association files suit against Escambia County over Perdido Key Beach access (FL)
In mid-December a lawsuit was filed by the Seafarer Owners Association against Escambia County. The group is a homeowner’s association for a condo in Perdido Key. They don’t want a piece of county-owned beach property next door to be open to the public. Read the article……………………
Ruling for insurance producer in licensing case affirmed (IN)
A trial court order lifting a regulator’s nonrenewal of an insurance producer’s license stemming from his unauthorized use of funds from his homeowner’s association was affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals on Monday. The appellate panel agreed that the man’s actions in this case did not warrant such a severe sanction. Read the article……………….
Franklin Township neighbors are worried houses will over flood (IN)
Neighbors in Franklin Township say the retention ponds have been filling up and not draining, the last several months. People on Ferguson road, just north of Thompson road, say they have been trying to get the problem fixed. But no one is helping. “The problem is is that water keeps rising and it’s not receding […]
Homeowners Fees Price Out Ashland Couple, Spur Program Changes (OR)
The housing crunch across the West Coast has cities taking a closer look at their affordable housing programs or forming new ones. But the city of Ashland in Southern Oregon is considering changes to its decades-old program because of one condominium charging exorbitant management fees. Read the article……………………..
Grand jury adds embezzlement charges to HOA case (MD)
A Charles County grand jury has handed down indictments against five people accused of stealing money from the South Hampton Homeowners’ Association, including embezzlement charges for the two HOA officers who were allegedly involved in the scheme. The indictments, filed on Dec. 14, charged South Hampton Homeowners’ Association president….. (requires subscription to read the […]
Residents of lava-ravaged Leilani Estates drop lawsuit against Hawaii County (HI)
Leilani Estates residents are giving up on a lawsuit they filed against Hawaii County that would have returned a security checkpoint to the neighborhood devastated by lava. The cost of maintaining that 24-hour security was $100,000 every month and federal money for the measure ran out at the end of October. Some Leilani Estates residents […]
Q&AZ: How Are HOAs Formed And Regulated? (AZ)
About one third of Arizona’s housing stock is in a community association, which means almost two million Arizonans are connected a home-owners or condominium association. KJZZ listener Michele wanted to know more about these associations, and asked via Q&AZ. Read the article…………………
Makes sense HOA should follow dog breed laws (NV)
Q: I know of Nevada Revised Statute 202.500. In short: 6. A local authority shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance or regulation that deems a dog dangerous or vicious based solely on the breed of the dog.Read the Q&A…………………..
Landscaper Overcome By Mower Fumes At Washington Township Condo Complex Dies (NJ)
A 26-year-old landscaper died after he and a co-worker were overcome by lawnmower carbon monoxide fumes Tuesday morning in a trailer in Washington Township, authorities said. There was no word yet on the second victim’s condition. Read the article………………….
Estoppel Certificates Explained (FL)
Q: Our small condominium is self-managed. We recently received a letter from a title insurance company telling us we are required to give them an “estoppel letter” within the next ten days. No one on our board knows what that term means. We did some internet research and see that it involves closings. Can you […]
Can condo association borrow money for renovations without membership vote? (FL)
Q: Our condominium association just borrowed over $1 million to renovate the common lobby and amenities. This was done without a membership vote. How is this possible and how do we repay the loan? Read the Q&A………………….
When can a board hold a closed meeting? (FL)
Q: Our homeowners association (HOA) board called a private board meeting for personnel issues. The meeting was held to discuss an email a director sent by mistake to the general manager. Read the Q&A………………….
More Venice condos tested for radon (FL)
In late November the Gondolier Sun^p reported a condo unit had tested positive for high levels of radon, a naturally occurring gas that can cause cancer. Since then, three more units have found radon, and perhaps more. Those condo owners have joined the call for a meeting with the HOA and management firm to argue […]
HOA Homefront: Frozen out directors
Our board established an executive committee consisting of three board members, excluding the two remaining board members, under Corporations Code Section 7212. Later, one of the non-executive committee board members sold his condominium, and the executive committee appointed a replacement board member. There are four remaining board members; three on the executive committee and one […]
Clearing guest parking spaces (IL)
Q. It is very difficult for our snowplow contractor to remove snow from the common element guest parking spaces in our condominium. Can the board of our condominium association prohibit parking in guest parking during the winter months? Read the Q&A………………….
Homeowners in Brighton development on Erie Canal sue beleaguered Costello (NY)
The homeowners association at the Reserve filed suit against the developer this month, another step in the decline of the would-be exclusive development on the Erie Canal in Brighton. As the Democrat and Chronicle reported in October, the ambitious $180 million, 327-unit development has floundered after the death of developer Anthony Costello in March 2016. […]
HOA Homefront: How do you handle a disruptor who’s also a director?
Q: I’m currently on my HOA board. The president is constantly rude, slandering other board members and basically being disrespectful. I am wondering what course of action a fellow board member has to get him under control. This is really uncomfortable and a hard issue to deal with and he is just being a tyrant. […]
Verrado HOA tells resident to park work truck elsewhere (AZ)
A Verrado man may be forced by his HOA to move or quit his job. Tim Andersen, an air conditioning and plumbing technician, is expected to receive and attend to calls quickly and efficiently so he takes home his 10-foot-tall work truck and parks it in his driveway. He’s ready when customers call. Read the […]
Legal fireworks breaking HOA rules near Katy (TX)
Legal fireworks used around homes near Katy have people packing bags and booking hotel rooms. Though the explosives violate homeowner association deed restrictions, HOA leadership feels powerless. Read the article……………………
James Island condo tenants scramble after unsafe floors force them out for Christmas (SC)
Construction crews told ABC News4 that 16 workers are at the Peninsula Condominiums trying to shore up these structures. Sources say the problem is affecting the floors. We were invited to one of the condos to check out the damage. Renter Jessica Matthews showed us where her floor dipped and slanted. Read the article…………………
Statesville neighbors battle massive sinkhole (NC)
Neighbors in Statesville have been dealing with a massive sinkhole for months, and it’s only getting worse. The sinkhole is now about ten feet wide and at least 15 feet deep. Read the article………………..
Eagle River condo residents fear for their homes’ post-quake future (AK)
Eight red signs were attached to eight garage doors in a quiet cluster of duplex condominiums at the bottom of the Eagle River Valley shortly after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on Nov. 30. “UNSAFE,” read each of the eight cards, placed on the homes by Municipality of Anchorage building inspectors. “DO NOT ENTER OR OCCUPY.” […]
Owner wants sidewalks pressure washed as scheduled, but budget may not allow it (FL)
Q: Our board approved a schedule to pressure wash the sidewalks. Because of budget constraints, we want to modify the schedule. An owner is demanding that we pressure wash the sidewalk in front of his home now and claims that the board can’t change the schedule after the board meeting. What is the board’s authority […]
Board intends to borrow to pay property manager (IL)
Q. We are currently a self-managed condominium association. The board of our condominium is approving hiring a professional property manager for 2019 at an upcoming board meeting. The management expense is not in the 2019 budget, and the board does not anticipate there would be any available operating funds to pay the management fees in […]
HOA Homefront: When the disruptor is a director!
Q: I’m currently on my HOA board. The president is constantly rude, slandering other board members, and basically being disrespectful. I am wondering what course of action a fellow board member has to get him under control. This is really uncomfortable and a hard issue to deal with and he is just being a tyrant. […]
Vista Valencia Golf Course to remain a golf course, owners say (CA)
The owners of Vista Valencia Golf Course want the pastoral property next to the quiet Fairways neighborhood to remain in operation as a golf course, even though the property is up for sale. The owners — American Golf Corp. — hope to find a buyer willing to keep them on to manage the golf course. […]
Requirements would make contracts stronger (FL)
Q: We were recently advised that all of our contracts should include a requirement that the vendor’s insurance be primary insurance. What does this mean? Read the Q&A………………………
Homeowner fights HOA over RV parking (NV)
Q: We live in a homeowners association-run, non-gated community in Henderson. Our roads are maintained, repaired and cleaned by the city, and our HOA dues cover cost of common area landscaping and maintenance. We have a recreational vehicle that we store off-site and bring home 24 hours before we leave on trips. This is to […]
HOA Homefront: ‘Twas the night before (the HOA’s) Christmas”
‘Twas the night before the HOA’s Christmas, and all through the community Read the article………………..Not a complaint was heard, there appeared just pure unity;The thank-you notes were placed by the bulletin board with care,In hopes the board and manager would soon see them there;
Units at James Island condominium complex ordered to vacate (SC)
Authorities have ordered 19 units at a James Island condominium complex to vacate. Officials with the City of Charleston say it’s because there’s are structural problems with the floors in affected units at “The Peninsula on James Island.” Read the article………………….
A beloved Seabrook gardener loses her plot, and a controversy sprouts (SC)
Mary Johnson’s garden has seen better days. Her plot, No. 23 in this island’s community garden, was just this summer bursting with herbs, flowers and tomatoes of all varieties. Now, it’s riddled with dollarweed. Tomato stakes lie across an empty planting bed, and moss grows on the wood and chicken wire gate. Next year, “when […]
Chester County District Attorney Opens Criminal Investigation Into Construction Of Sunoco Pipelines (PA)
A county prosecutor in Pennsylvania is opening a criminal investigation into construction on three natural gas liquids pipelines that have drawn blame for causing sinkholes and polluting drinking water and waterways……..It’s a criminal investigation homeowners like Eric Friedman were happy to hear about. “This used to be freed opened space walking trail,” said Friedman. Friedman […]
Developer charged Wilmington residents thousands for HOA that doesn’t really exist. So, where’s the money? (NC)
Telesis is a for-profit developer that specializes in public-private housing projects; through its management company, Telesis allegedly charged residents of Wilmington’s Jervay Communities tens of thousands of dollars in HOA fees, but never formed a proper HOA with resident board members, meetings, or transparency on how the fees were being spent. Read the article………………….