What To Know A Year After The Surfside Collapse

On June 24, 2021, the Champlain Towers South, a beachfront condominium in the Miami suburb of Surfside, Fla., partially collapsed, sending shockwaves throughout the industry and shedding new light on the true meaning of condo safety. Today, a little over a year after the terrible tragedy, a condo reform bill unanimously was passed in the […]

If HOA Owns the Roads, Who Stops Speeders? (FL)

Question: My homeowners’ association (HOA) is a gated community with private roads. We have recently had issues with speeding and other traffic-related incidents that would be violations of the Florida traffic code.  The board of directors has stated the association does not have to enforce the Florida traffic code. Is this correct? How are gated […]

Hundreds of fish turn up dead at Wyndham Lake (VA)

A fishy situation unfolded at Wyndham Lake in Glen Allen on Monday. The residents in the surrounding neighborhood were in for a smelly surprise when they walked the shoreline.   Read the article…………………..

What new water restrictions could communities face? (NV)

Q:  This week there is major concern within Assembly Bill 356 that was signed last year. Due to the water supply going down every week and lack of rain fall to help the situation how should HOAs handle this grave dilemma? Please explain more about AB356.    Read the Q&A……………………………….

Board service presents challenges in community for older persons (FL)

Q:  This is the second senior condominium I have owned and in which I have resided during the past 16 years. I have faced the same impending issue in both, that being extreme difficulty finding enough qualified people both willing and able to run the community.   Read the Q&A……………………………….

7 Hurt In Blaze At Bayside Luxury Condo, FDNY Says (NY)

Seven people were hurt in a luxury condominium fire in Bay Terrace early Tuesday morning, according to the FDNY.  Flames erupted at The Bay Club, an upscale apartment complex at 2 Bay Club Drive near The Bay Terrace Shopping Center, about 12:20 a.m., fire officials said.   Read the article…………………………..

Local group files lawsuit against TMVOA, Telski (CO)

The lawsuit alleges TMVOA isn’t in compliance with the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (CCIOA), particularly when it comes to how voting rights are allocated and how it defines “member,” “unit” and “site.” It also cites how Telski, which is referred to as TSG in the lawsuit, also effectively controls the six-person board with its […]

Horizon West condo break-ins; owners, neighbors concerned (WI)

Owners say someone broke in to Waukesha’s condemned Horizon West condominium building – and may even be living there.  “The back door was completely open,” neighbor Dennis Unterbrink said. “Trash. Some cigarette butts and uneaten hamburgers.”    Read the article……………………………

Sunnyside POA putting gates up at beach access points, despite land dispute (FL)

Gates are being put up throughout the Sunnyside neighborhood in Panama City Beach. But the barriers are being placed by the Sunnyside Property Owners Association, which does not own the property.  The land is instead owned by the McCorquodale family, who has owned the property for more than 100 years.    Read the article………………………………..

HOA Lien Procedures Explained (FL)

Q: There has been confusion on my HOA board regarding when the association can record a lien against a delinquent owner. I thought we could lien after 45 days, but our manager says we must give a warning letter first. Is this correct?  Read the Q&A……………………………….

Texas Homeowners Face Lawsuit After Feeding Ducks

A retired Cypress, Texas, couple has been sued for up to $250,000 after feeding ducks in their neighborhood.  A neighborhood homeowners association is suing the couple, George and Kathleen Rowe, for alleged neighborhood rule violations that are “detrimental to the Subdivision,   Read the article……………………………

Lot filled with crab traps upsets neighbors (LA)

The New Orleans Office of Code Enforcement has opened an investigation into a piece of land in a Venetian Isles neighborhood, zoned residential, but used to store and clean crab traps……The upset neighbors tell us they reached out multiple times to the Venetian Isles Homeowners Association but nothing was ever done about their complaints. The […]

Residents evacuated after large fire breaks at a Thomas Township condo complex (MI)

Fire officials are working to extinguish a large fire that broke out just before 5:00 p.m. Thursday at a Thomas Township condominium complex.  Saginaw County Central Dispatch sent officials to the 9000 block of Greenway Blvd. in Thomas Township after a large fire broke at the Swan Valley Condominiums early Thursday evening.  Read the article……………………

6 Dublin subdivisions receive grants to beautify the neighborhoods (OH)

The entrances of six Dublin neighborhoods are getting a facelift, thanks to the 2022 Beautify Your Neighborhood grants.  Established in 2011, the matching grant program provides annual funding assistance to support Dublin homeowner and civic associations in enhancing neighborhoods with sustainable beautification projects that enhance and benefit the wider community, according to Aisling Babbitt, a […]

Developer wants 300 houses on former golf course in Ormond Beach (FL)

City staff on the Site Plan Review Committee demanded a homeowners association be responsible for maintaining the 50-foot buffer behind homes. Mr. Merrell argued for individual homeowners to be responsible for the portion of the buffer behind their property, but city staff cited previous instances of people clear-cutting historic trees that should be preserved.    Read […]

Condo sewage leak closes shoreline south of Alki Point (WA)

Thanks for the tip about the warning signs up along part of West Seattle’s shores. Waterfront areas south of Alki Point are posted as “closed” because of water pollution. We asked Seattle Public Utilities about it and just received this statement detailing the reason for, and location of, the closures:    Read the article………………………….

Residents team up to tackle wildfire risks (WA)

The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires — and an understanding of what it means to live in wildfire country — has prompted hundreds of property owners around the valley to team up in work parties to clear brush, limb trees and load chippers.   Read the article………………….

Residents displaced after Portsmouth daycare fire demanding answers (VA)

It’s been three months since a fire broke out at Charlestowne Condominiums on Greenwood Drive in Portsmouth. 10 On Your Side first brought you the story about the dire that started in the kitchen of a home-daycare and led to seven children being hospitalized.   Read the article…………………………

Douglas County Sheriff reminds residents of golf cart rules (NE)

The Indian Pointe neighborhood became a focus for deputies over the holiday weekend after someone complained of golf carts on the streets.  The sheriff’s office says that the subdivision doesn’t have a county-approved ordinance. Nobody got a ticket but the sheriff’s office is letting homeowners know golf cart operators may be pulled over.    Read the […]

Parkland City Commission Agrees to Take Steps to Acquire Heron Bay Golf Course (FL)

The remaining 70 acres would be used for residential or commercial space.  But, a covenant restriction on those 70 acres forbids any development, including residential or commercial, on that plot of land until 2028. This has resulted in a lawsuit from Citizens Against Golf Course Redevelopment, Inc.    Read the article…………………………….

Surfside collapse leaves costly legacy for Florida condo owners

The specter of Champlain Towers South came in an email alert this month for residents of a West Palm Beach waterside condominium.  Insurance on the 12-story building across from the Lake Worth Lagoon increased 82%, requiring a special meeting to hike the budget and jack up dues. It was a blow for the association, which […]

The Law Q&A | Solar energy has a home in most any neighborhood (IL)

Can a homeowner’s association, condominium association or other community interest residential association bar a homeowner from installing solar panels on their roof?  With certain exceptions, no sir, no ma’am, they cannot.   Read the article………………………………

Driveway entrance replaced following call to 2 On Your Side (LA)

An entrance to a condominium community off of Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge was in need of some repairs. The Homeowner’s Association had been trying for years to get help and recently contacted 2 On Your Side.  The issue dates back about seven years, and Jennifer Mizzell says it’s been a battle ever since. That […]

Condominium obligated to collect roof reserves (FL)

Q: I have lived in my condo since 2006. In 2017 my monthly dues began including an extra fee for a roof assessment. When I asked what this fee was, several association members simply told me that every owner needs to pay this, and that it’s a common expense. Is this really a common expense, and […]

Enforcement of new structural safety law examined (FL)

Q: In a previous column, you mentioned the new statute that deals with building inspections and reserves. I understand the reason for these changes, but do not understand how they are enforced or how extensive they are. Can you comment further on that?   Read the Q&A……………………………….

Boulder County HOAs face challenges from Marshall Fire (CO)

Tom Wade knows intimately the stress and frustration caused by the Marshall Fire. His home of 31 years in Louisville was totally destroyed. He’s also president of the Coal Creek Ranch Homeowners Association, which had 162 homes burned by that massive blaze. In addition to rebuilding his own life, Wade is devoting time to helping […]

South Fulton warns Camelot Condominiums of fire risks, health concerns (GA)

The City of South Fulton is stepping up law enforcement patrols near a problematic condominium complex, which the city was allegedly cited numerous times for fire code violations. A South Fulton spokesperson said there is not much city leaders can do about residents’ allegedly poor living conditions.   Read the article………………………………

New water law unclear when it comes to communities (NV)

Q: I am the president of our small homeowners association. Our management company is confused as to how to address this new statute. Our homeowners are only responsible for their backyards. The HOA owns the front yards and common areas. It is my understanding the new statute to remove useless grass would pertain to the […]