Q: Are there differences between Chapter 720 and 718 law as to what homeowners’ associations (HOAs) vs. condominium associations can do with unspent monies left over from assessments for specified projects? Are they required to return those monies to their owners? Can they put it in the general fund, use it on another assessment or […]
President can resign office, yet stay on board (IL)
Q: The president of the board of directors of our condominium has mentioned she may resign as president because of the increasing demands of her regular, full-time job. Can she resign as president and remain on the board, or must she resign from the board as well? Read the Q&A……………………………………..
Condo Fire Displaces Howell Township Residents (MI)
A fire earlier this week has reportedly left several families in Howell Township without a home for Christmas. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fire erupts at Eastern Pkwy condo across from Brooklyn Museum (NY)
The inferno at 255 Eastern Parkway, near the intersection with Classon Avenue, broke out on the Sixth floor of the Woodrow Wilson condominium at about 5 am, an FDNY spokesperson said. Smoke-eaters encountered a raging fire inside the building and shooting out of the windows, as residents looked on. Read the entire article……………………………….
Community wants to remove HOA board members (NV)
Q: We have a new management company and two new members to the board and a myriad of problems and questions have come up. Our complex is on the east side and has 18 building with a total of 176 units. Read the Q&A…………………………………
White Horse denial stirs residents in Ocean Pines community (MD)
Although the Worcester County Commissioners Dec. 7 decision to consent to White Horse Park updating its declarations had been all but written in stone since May, the news nonetheless caused an uproar among some members of the 465-person mobile home community. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fire damages condo building at Two Worlds (IN)
For the second consecutive year, fire broke out in an apartment at the Two Worlds Condominiums just days before Christmas. Read the entire article……………………………….
Intense fire melts cars in condo community parking lot (CA)
Residents in a Mira Mesa community woke up to a raging fire in their parking lot that destroyed several cars but fortunately did not spread to any homes, officials said. Read the entire article……………………………….
St Johns’s County proposes buying homes along Summer Haven beach, homeowners fight back against proposal (FL)
Homeowners in Summer Haven are asking the St John’s County board of commissioners to help prevent erosion along their beach and assist homeowners in maintaining their properties. A presentation from the home owners association on Tuesday to the board came after a commissioner proposed the county buy homes along the beach and allow the beach […]
Judge Allows Forced Condo Sale to Move Forward (GA)
A long-developing real estate deal moved a step closer to fruition with an Athens-Clarke County judge’s recent ruling that a forced sale of Heritage Square Condominiums can proceed. Superior Court Judge Lawton Stephens had ruled verbally for Fred Moorman and his Fred Family Trust following a brief hearing the day before Thanksgiving, and entered his […]
HOA, homeowners file claim with Sahuarita, county after July flood (AZ)
Eight homeowners and an HOA in Green Valley have filed Notices of Claim against Pima County and the Town of Sahuarita seeking more than a quarter-million dollars in damage from a July monsoon flood. Read the entire article……………………………….
Las Vegas board approves grass ban in new developments (NV)
Grassy yards would be banned at all new housing and commercial developments in the Las Vegas metro area as officials try to expand water use limitations and the region prepares for a hotter and drier future. Read the entire article……………………………….
‘LETS GO BRANDON’ Christmas lights spark battle with Sarasota homeowner’s association (FL)
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and goodwill to others. Spelling out “LETS GO BRANDON” in lighted letters on a balcony of his house brought plenty of joy to Martin Hyde, a Sarasota Republican running for Congress. It didn’t generate goodwill in his neighborhood, though. Read the entire article……………………………….
Court sides with Falmouth in homeowner association sewer suit (ME)
The Maine Superior Court has ruled that the town of Falmouth has the “unambiguous” right to extend a sewer line through The Woodlands neighborhood. The Woodlands Homeowners Association filed a lawsuit against the town in November, claiming that an existing sewer easement didn’t allow the town to build a new line through the private neighborhood. Read […]
Tyrone to consider water association (NM)
The Tyrone Property Owners Association is planning an important community meeting Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Tyrone Community Center. The discussion will include potential action to qualify for public funding for major infrastructure repairs that the townsite is facing for their water delivery and wastewater management operations. Those services are overseen by […]
Reserve funds and building inspections: Lawmakers ponder action in wake of condo collapse (FL)
Six months after the tragic collapse of a 12-story condo building in Surfside, state lawmakers will look at ways to make buildings safer as they convene their 2022 legislative session. Read the entire article……………………………….
Homeowners feel harassed by board, management company (NV)
Q: Our management company is walking around doing their monthly inspections for violations. The company was hired in July and I know different management companies handle violations differently. However, we need to either apply the rules and not pick and choose which ones will be enforced. Read the Q&A……………………………………
DPPJ, Stonewall look to changes with roads, subdivisions (LA)
DeSoto Police Jury Road Committee members recently said no to recommendations from the parish planning commission to accept two new roads into the parish system. The reason: Both roads are in subdivisions that are in the infant stages of development so there are no homes on either road. Read the entire article……………………………….
State condo law aims to ease restrictions, but is it enough to spur development in Spokane County? (WA)
Spokane County’s brisk real estate market has caused a shortage of available properties and record-breaking prices, prompting developers and real estate industry officials to advocate for a variety of housing types to boost homeownership. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fate of York County lake depends on expensive dam repairs (PA)
Because of damage caused by Hurricane Ida, the earthen dam couldn’t safely hold the entire weight of the lake. So, the water levels were lowered 30 inches. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Sued By Homeowner For Libel, Slander After Criticizing Security (FL)
A homeowner in the Porta Bella Yacht and Tennis Club in Boca Raton is suing the community’s HOA/COA, claiming board members made inappropriate and inaccurate accusations against him. Read the entire article……………………………….
Resident: Lack of short-term rental enforcement puts residents and visitors at risk (ID)
Thornton Waite, the president of the Pine Haven Homeowners’ Association in Island Park, said the lack of short-term rental regulation and enforcement is putting the safety of both residents and visitors at risk. Read the entire article……………………………….
For years, someone has been poisoning dogs in this Las Vegas neighborhood (NV)
By Cornwall’s own estimates, 15 neighborhood dogs have been poisoned through similar means dating as far back as 2014. The most recent attack came this Halloween when Cornwall’s next-door neighbor, Sandra Eells, had to take her 4-month-old Belgian Malinois puppy to an emergency vet for strychnine poisoning after she began experiencing seizures. Read the entire […]
Two hospitalized after Cedar Rapids condo fire (IA)
First responders took two people to the hospital for smoke inhalation Saturday afternoon after a small fire caused extensive smoke damage to a condominium. Neighbors called 911 just after 2:15 p.m. after noticing smoke coming from the condominium Read the entire article……………………………….
Sales and leasing can be governed by entirely different restrictions (FL)
Q: I purchased a condo over a year ago. At the time, there were absolutely no requirements, no application process and no background check required in order for me to become an owner. Prior to closing I asked the real estate agent and the title company if an approval letter was needed for closing and […]
Disturbing peace: Residents say pot growers disrupt tranquility (CA)
“The county is calling these legal grows commercial (thereby allowing commercial business in here),” said Porter. “Yet a main tenet of our (Covenant, Conditions and Restrictions) is no undue use of roads. The county’s ordinance for pot growing reads as though it was written by the cannabis lawyers.” Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo Q & A (FL)
Q: One of our HOA board members does not own the house he lives in, his parents in-law own it. Our documents state you must be a member of the association to serve on the board. He has given management a letter from an attorney, stating he is a trustee of the property. Can anything […]
Club West HOA nixes appeal in Conservancy’s suit (AZ)
The Foothills Club West Association board unanimously decided last week not to appeal a Superior Court ruling that its predecessor improperly acquired the declarant rights to the golf course that could determine the embattled site’s future. Read the entire article……………………………….
Crested Butte South Property Owners Association facing election challenges (CO)
Despite what appeared to be a large voter turnout and wide margin of voter approval for a series of new covenant changes within the Crested Butte South Property Owners Association (POA) this fall, several property owners have raised concerns about how the October election was conducted. As the POA plans ahead for its 2022 budget […]
HOA Homefront: What community managers want for the holidays (CA)
As we give gifts to loved ones and friends during the holiday season, most HOA members probably don’t consider giving to their community manager – the person who gets the calls when plumbing or roofs leak, somebody acts up at the pool, or gates malfunction. Read the entire article……………………………….
Ivey Ranch HOA residents collect record donations for Toys for Tots
Ivey Ranch HOA residents in Thousand Palms donated a record number of toys this year to the Twentynine Palms Marine Corp Base annual Toy for Tots charity drive. Read the entire article……………………………….
“You were my guy”: Emails show Metro Council member worked with developer to force project through (KY)
Louisville Metro Council Member Brent Ackerson worked behind the scenes with a developer to push through a controversial development over the objections of community members and the city’s Planning Commission. Read the entire article……………………………….
Oversight left Libby subdivision without fire suppression pond (MT)
Property owners at a Libby-area subdivision have gone without a piece of fire suppression infrastructure that should have been included in the development but wasn’t owing to an error in Lincoln County’s permitting process. Read the entire article……………………………….
No year-round stays: Ocean Pines’ White Horse Park updates bylaws (MD)
The White Horse Park Community Association received confirmation from the Worcester County Commissioners on Dec. 7 that its members can update its declarations to state that long-term offseason dwelling in the RV and mobile-home community is prohibited. Read the entire article……………………………….
When it comes to condo associations, The Grinch is not always wrong (FL)
I love the holiday season. I love cheesy old Christmas songs, and new ones. I love finding that gift for my wife, our daughter, a family member or a good friend that they weren’t expecting. Read the entire article……………………………….
“It is unsafe” Two-story house in affluent neighborhood at-risk of demolition order by city commission (TX)
Inspectors deemed a two-story home and pool belonging to owners of properties in an affluent neighborhood unfit for habitation after members of a homeowner’s association complained of the properties’ condition. Read the entire article……………………………….
Bay Area rain causes building safety concerns (CA)
Homeowners and businesses in the Bay Area are dealing with the aftermath of the severe storm. KRON4’s Gayle Ong reports those living in newer buildings in the city are experiencing floods, leaks, and other water damage. Read the entire article……………………………….
Ask the HOA Expert: Q & A
Question: How does the board choreograph a meeting if not allowed to meet privately in advance? We have always scheduled work sessions every other month prior to the open board meetings. Some members are calling us on it. Some board members have said they will resign if they have to face a room full of […]
American Red Cross, community partners to open multi-agency resource center for residents of unsafe Waukesha condo (WI)
The American Red Cross and community partners will open a multi-agency resource center for residents that are recovering from the sudden evacuation of an unsafe residential condo complex in Waukesha earlier this month. Read the entire article……………………………….
WVTM 13 Investigates: Rouland Management accused of mismanaging HOA money (AL)
Four neighborhoods in Shelby and Jefferson Counties have filed suit against Rouland Management, a local subdivision management company, after residents say the company misplaced at least $200,000 of their funds. Watch the news report……………………………
Condo questions: What do Florida statutes state about unspent money? (FL)
QUESTION: Are there differences between Florida Chapters 720 and 718 law as to what HOAs vs condo associations can do with unspent monies left over from assessments for specified projects? Are they required to return those monies to their owners, can they put it in the general fund, use it on another assessment or some […]
For Waukesha’s Horizon West condo, soaring repair estimates suggest little hope in saving the weakened building (WI)
The city has told owners of the structurally compromised Horizon West Condominium that they may have to fix or completely flatten their building. Which will it be? That’s a question that may have already been answered unofficially, as hope for the 48-unit building on West Avenue diminishes as repair cost estimates rise into many millions. […]
In Mount Pleasant, A Battle Over Balconies Threatens Longtime Residents Of A Historic Building (DC)
The 25 balconies adorning the historic Kenesaw/Renaissance apartments in Mount Pleasant are certainly elegant. But should residents have to pay $1.5 million to restore them? That’s the question at the center of a long-simmering dispute between residents of the 16th Street Beaux Arts building and the city’s Historic Preservation Review Board. After unsuccessfully trying to […]
Residents Near Cle Elum Still Without Water, Experience Power Outages After Bridge Collapse (WA)
There’s still no water for a residential neighborhood near Cle Elum after the only bridge into the area collapsed under the weight of a large garbage truck Monday. Read the entire article……………………………….
Florida condo collapse victims to get $4.9M from fundraising efforts
A Florida nonprofit is set to distribute nearly $5 million to survivors and the families of those killed in the collapse of a beachfront Florida condo building this past summer. Read the entire article……………………………….
Algonquin seeks to obtain vacant land from condo association through eminent domain (IL)
Algonquin officials are battling with leaders of a community of condo homes about how much the village should pay to acquire almost 3 acres of land meant for storm water drainage. Read the entire article……………………………….
Oversight left Panoramic View subdivision without required fire suppression infrastructure (MT)
Property owners at a Libby-area subdivision have gone without a piece of fire suppression infrastructure that should have been included in the development but wasn’t owing to an error in Lincoln County’s permitting process. Read the entire article……………………………….
Club West HOA board to mull appeal of judge’s ruling (AZ)
Apparently rejecting overtures by the golf course owner for a sit-down, the Foothills Club West Association board is expected to vote tomorrow night, Dec. 9, on whether to appeal a Superior Court judge’s ruling that gave the Club West Conservancy a victory in a lawsuit originally filed in March 2020 against the former board members. […]
‘I feel angels are good for you’: Senior fights HOA over angel statue (AZ)
But one Mesa senior says her HOA and the property manager they hired, have gone too far. “I feel angels are good for you. They protect you,” Shirley says. She’s talking about the angel statue that she placed on the short wall around her front sitting area. Read the entire article……………………………….
Homeowner wants kelly green door on new house (NV)
Q: I am purchasing a duplex in a new 55-plus community. The color scheme I selected has colors pre-selected for the doors. I thought I could select from option one or two. However, that is not the case. My home elevation includes a reddish door. The opposite elevation has a kelly green door that I […]