Weeks after Florida lawmakers passed a bill requiring older condominiums to undergo safety inspections to ensure the buildings’ structural integrity, Central Florida condominium association members have many questions about how the new requirements will impact owners. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA board members who do repairs create liability issues (NV)
Q: Have you written any articles regarding any statute language or simply listing reasons why board members should not do work, such as painting or simple maintenance repairs to the community? I am reaching out to the current insurance provider to get their opinion. Read the Q&A……………………………….
KPRC 2 Investigates: HOA vs Katy homeowners in concrete wall debate (TX)
Imagine moving into your brand new subdivision and being told that the perimeter wall over there is not your property. You can’t change it. You can’t take it down and you can’t fix it. Then, 21 years later, when it needs repairs and replacement, your HOA says, “It’s all your responsibility.” Read the entire article……………………………….
Ask the HOA Expert
Question: We had a water pipe break in a common wall which flooded two units. The HOA has no policy about common wall water problems and both owners are looking to the HOA to repair to both the plumbing and the unit damage. What do you advise? Read the Q&A……………………………….
HOA owner may grant power of attorney to allow resident to participate in association affairs (FL)
Q: My daughter and son-in-law are Virginia residents who own a single family home in Florida. The property is governed by a homeowner’s association. I have resided in the home for the past seven years. Can I, as their family member and a resident, be designated an agent of the homeowner for matters pertaining to […]
HOA Homefront – Is there double jeopardy in HOAs? (CA)
Q: If HOA failed to send letter to homeowner within 15 days as required by Civil Code 5855, may the HOA simply ignore that and hold another meeting or as many as they want, thereby removing the possibility if a homeowner’s using 5855 as a defense? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Homeowners associations hinder solar deployment, despite Wisconsin law
For as long as she can remember, Sherrie Gruder wanted to put solar panels on her home. In the fall of 2020, Gruder and her partner, Wayne Harris, finally got the chance. They’d recently moved to a subdivision near Waunakee, and while there were issues with putting solar panels on the roof, there was plenty […]
Insurance changes hit with second lawsuit (FL)
A contractors group and an Orlando-area roofing firm Thursday challenged the constitutionality of a new law that combines a property-insurance change with efforts to bolster the safety of condominium buildings. Read the entire article……………………………….
State insurance commission investigates Gwinnett HOA over roof plan (GA)
Within a serene community tucked away among the pines in northern Gwinnett, a conflict has simmered for months that now pits dozens of residents against their homeowner’s association and has drawn the attention of investigators with the state insurance commissioner’s office. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo questions: To avoid possible issues board’s should have counsel review contracts (FL)
Q: I participated in the “How to Run a Board Meeting Effectively” seminar several weeks ago, that you put on and I had a quick question. A statement was made that any time there is a quorum of the board, that the formalities of a board meeting must be adhered too. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Pole in the middle of sidewalk creates problems for neighbors (NM)
After taking a walk in their neighborhood near 98th street and Dennis Chavez Blvd. Joshua Poulsen and his daughter, who’s in a wheelchair, came across a pole right in the middle of a wheelchair ramp. Read the entire article……………………………….
Midtown condo complex residents frustrated over constant car break-ins (GA)
Residents of a Midtown Atlanta condo complex are frustrated at what they say are a rash of car break-ins plaguing their community. In the video, taking at the Siena at Renaissance Park condominium complex on the morning of May 27, the man opens the car door and rummages through it like it’s his own. Read […]
Old Refuge Chapel declared ‘unsafe to occupy’ (AK)
The former Refuge Chapel space, which encompasses the lower-level area known as “the Puffin’s Nest, ” is located at 397 E. Pioneer Ave., Suite 2, and is part of the Rookery Condominiums, a four-unit business condominium development. The “unsafe to occupy” determination does not affect the three other units — a restaurant, offices and a […]
‘It went up really fast:’ Fire leaves residents of 8 Lower Makefield condos displaced (PA)
Brian O’Connor had just taken his dog, Rusty, outside and returned to his first-floor unit at the Cornerstone Condominiums in Lower Makefield when he noticed a unit across the driveway going up in flames early Saturday morning. Read the entire article……………………………….
Keeping it green: Tips for negotiating a condo association landscaping contract (NH)
When did things get switched around? When a plumber arrives on site, the contractor fixes the problem and leaves a bill. The plumber doesn’t expect payment up front. Read the entire article……………………………….
Pendaries Village struggles with water system issues (NM)
Patches of charred mountainsides surround what is left of Pendaries Village, a mountain golf resort northwest of Las Vegas, N.M. The odor of scorched wood lingers in the air, weeks after the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire swept through. Read the entire article……………………………….
New condo safety law will cost some communities (FL)
Florida’s vast condo communities are preparing for big changes after the legislature approved a safety bill during the recent special session. Read the entire article……………………………….
Memphis area homeowner associations fight back against outside investors buying up family homes (TN)
An HOA in Cordova recently approved an amendment banning rental properties and requiring homeowners live on property permanently. Read the entire article……………………………….
Ask the HOA Expert
Question: We had a water pipe break in a common wall which flooded two units. The HOA has no policy about common wall water problems and both owners are looking to the HOA to repair to both the plumbing and the unit damage. What do you advise? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Creekside Golf Club asks neighbors for $4.2 million to pause housing development (OR)
Creekside Golf Club is again asking an adjoining neighborhood to prop up its bottom line. In return for an estimated $4.2 million, the club’s owners will pause plans to develop the property into housing for five years, according to a proposal sent to homeowners last week. Read the entire article……………………………….
Calumet City declares local state of emergency in wake of devastating condo building fire (IL)
Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones has declared a citywide state of emergency after a devastating fire ripped through a condo building this week and left 150 families displaced. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA cannot fine renter for license plate display (NV)
Q: I have gone over the bylaws and the covenants, conditions and restrictions of our homeowners association. Nowhere does it address that a homeowner or his or her renter can have absolutely no license plates on the vehicle (or on the back of the vehicle). Read the Q&A……………………………….
Condo questions: Who can serve on committees depends on the association’s bylaws (FL)
Q: My homeowner’s association allows for non-owner residents and tenants to serve on committees. I did not think this was possible. Is there a Florida Statute that prohibits them from serving on committees? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Woodcliff residents call for change to confusing address system (NE)
At the Woodcliff lake community, nestled across from Fremont on the Saunders County side of the Platte River, delivery packages often don’t reach the intended address. Read the entire article……………………………….
Summit Park and Pinebrook wildfire prevention projects get top rating from state (UT)
After evacuations for the Parleys Canyon Fire, a wave of Summit Park homeowners signed up to have their property assessed for wildfire risk. Millions of dollars in grants are now funding work there and across Summit County. Read the entire article……………………………….
Scottsdale homeowners push back against HOA plan to remove 670 trees from neighborhood (AZ)
The heat is on across the Valley, but things are a lot cooler in the Arcadia Community of SilverLeaf at DC Ranch in Scottsdale. Tom and Julie LaPorte want it to stay that way, but there’s no guarantee. Their HOA wants to remove hundreds of trees. Read the entire article……………………………….
After the Surfside condo tragedy, engineers, contractors and local lawmakers are partnering to prevent a similar situation (FL)
Florida’s population has jumped from around 3 million in 1950 to more than 22 million people today—and this number has continued to skyrocket since the pandemic. Between July 2020 and July 2021, Florida became second in the country for most residents gained, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. As demand for housing rises, so do […]
Flooding fears become reality for homes near subdivision construction site (NC)
Quick, strong storm on May 14 led to previously unseen flooding for homes in Westlake Downs community, neighboring new Glen at Cool Springs construction Read the entire article……………………………….
No choice in pursuing financial inconsistency
Q: I am a member of the board of directors of our condominium association. At our last meeting, we discovered some inconsistencies in our bank account and suspect our former treasurer has embezzled some of our money. What can we do? What should we do? It’s not a great deal of money ($2,500), so considering […]
Need a speaker for your HOA, neighborhood, club, non-profit or other group? (TX)
Need a speaker at your next HOA or club meeting? Harris County Precinct 4 has a Speakers Bureau that educates homeowners associations, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, clubs, and other residents about county government. Read the entire article……………………………….
Massive fire breaks out at Grand Bear Resort near Starved Rock in Utica (IL)
Several structures at the Grand Bear Resort near Starved Rock went up in flames Monday night, prompting multiple crews to help extinguish the blaze. The president of the resort’s homeowners association says the blaze has affected five buildings, each containing four residential units. At least 20 units are damaged. Read the entire article……………………………….
As work resumes at ‘pinch point’ on Southwest light rail, condo owners say costly delays predictable and preventable (MN)
Cherie Hamilton says cracks started appearing in the walls and ceiling of her tenth-floor unit at the Cedar Isles condominiums in December last year. Construction on the new light rail line is directly below her balcony. “They said take pictures off the wall,” Hamilton said. “That said to me that something is going to be […]
Cal City condo fire results in one death, multiple injuries (IL)
One resident died and four residents and three firefighters were injured in a fire Monday night in a 312-unit condominium building at 200 Park Ave. in the Park of River Oaks complex. Read the entire article……………………………….
Treasure Lake hosts dedication ceremony for Veterans Memorial (PA)
Overlooking the lake, it features granite monuments dedicated to the six branches of the U.S. military, as well as granite benches, a decorative retaining wall, landscaping and a brick walkway with stepping stones named for individuals who have served the country. Read the entire article……………………………….
Rising water rates puts HOA at crossroads (CA)
As San Diegans continue to battle soaring inflation, a proposed hike in water rates could drive the cost of living even higher next year. Now, one group of homeowners could decide to pay for a big change now, to avoid more increases later. Read the entire article……………………………….
$76M renovations? Structural damage at PCB condo leads to legal feud over special assessment (FL)
A lawsuit filed earlier this month by unit owners at the Shores of Panama Condominium complex accuses city officials of collaborating with the homeowner’s association to invent structural damage that … Link is subscription only – when a free article is published, we will change the link to it
Condo fire in north Palm Springs wrecks 12 units, no serious injuries reported (CA)
A three-alarm fire at a condo complex in north Palm Springs has rendered 12 of the units “a complete loss,” a Palm Springs Fire Battalion Chief said Sunday morning. Firefighters responded to the structure fire at a two-story building on the south side of the Palm Springs Villas 1 Read the entire article……………………………….
Attorney: New lifesaving condo laws will make Florida retirement-living impossible for many seniors (FL)
The impact of the new laws will be far-reaching and a form of gentrification, according to one expert. Per the new law, older condo buildings three stories or higher now require inspections and fully funded reserves. The inspections are mandatory for buildings 30 years or older and now must be done in each Florida county, […]
Neighborhoods fight to protect property values (MS)
The president of the Sheffield Homeowners Association along with the organization of homeowners’ associations known as JXN United plan to continue opposing additional vape shops, tattoo studios and liquor stores in the city of Jackson. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fire causes $120,000 damage to NW Bend condominium unit; other residents evacuate (OR)
A fire traced to a failure in a heating-cooling unit caused $120,000 damage to a condominium unit in northwest Bend Saturday afternoon, prompting nearby residents to evacuate the three-story building, officials said. Read the entire article……………………………….
Worker falls 13 stories to her death at West Palm Beach construction site (FL)
A Miami-Dade County woman died Saturday morning when she fell from the 13th floor of a West Palm Beach luxury condominium that is under construction. Read the entire article……………………………….
Significant evidence of fraud required before action can be taken against board member (FL)
Q: Our residential HOA community of under 150 homes just had an election. Two homeowners came forth with letters stating that one candidate took their proxy ballot and altered it. The two homeowners asked at the in person annual meeting for their proxy so that they could add a second name to the ballot, as […]
Board discussion can’t be endless (IL)
Q: Our board has substantial discussion and debate about issues before we vote on an item. However, one of our board members frequently just won’t let an issue go when he disagrees with a vote of the board. This causes substantial delays in our board meetings. Is the board required to continue a discussion on […]
Voting requirements cause frustration (FL)
Q: The condominium documents for my association require that 75% of all members must vote to approve any amendments. The association has trouble even getting a quorum of members to attend meetings. Can the association approve an amendment based on just the vote of those members voting, or send out the vote and state that […]
Townhome management company pays for owner’s repairs after News 2 investigation (NC)
The rain seemed to come every day. Susan Lipper didn’t worry about it until she noticed some water stains on her ceiling. Read the entire article……………………………….
Florida’s new laws on property insurance and condo safety may not give homeowners relief and calm troubled markets
When Lynn Haven resident Tori Lambeth bought her first home in 2019, it felt right. The payment—mortgage, taxes, and insurance—was perfectly affordable. But every year since the purchase, insurance costs have risen. Read the entire article……………………………….
Sorry, you just can’t quit your HOA (NV)
Q: I stumbled across two articles of yours in the Las Vegas Review-Journal while researching a subject for my father. I’m hoping you might be a good resource to confirm something both my father and I remember hearing about in the last maybe three to six months. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Multiple units damaged in Santa Maria condo fire (CA)
Multiple units were damaged and five people were displaced after a fire broke out at a Santa Maria condo Thursday morning, according to the Santa Maria Fire Department. Read the entire article……………………………….
Waukesha condo collapse threat, Horizon West raze order,120-day deadline (WI)
A big step has been taken regarding the future of Waukesha’s troubled Horizon West condos, one that could soon trigger the wrecking ball. The raze order we’ve been hearing about for months is now officially in effect. Read the entire article……………………………….
Flying the American Flag this Memorial Day
As we unofficially start summer here, As we also prepare to observe Memorial Day—a day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. Military—Many HOA and condo residents across the country will demonstrate by displaying the American Flag. Read the entire article……………………………….