Q: I’ve been reading your column about condominium reserves, and it’s made me think that most condominium associations should have higher reserves. Read the Q&A………………………………….
State’s Attorney’s Office to Review Segregation Clauses That Remain in Some Home Covenants (IL)
A new law allowing homeowners to have racist clauses removed from covenants in their deeds went into effect Jan. 1, and Lake County’s first filing under the law occurred Tuesday. After being filed with the Recorder of Deeds Office, the request will now be reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure it […]
SC Woman Sues 9 Neighbors For Alleged Harassment Over Her Exercise Routine (SC)
A Sun City Hilton Head woman has filed a lawsuit against nine of her neighbors, accusing them of bullying her over her daily workout. Kathryn Kreider, who has lived on Devant Street part-time since November 2020, says her neighbors have “engaged in a series of coordinated attacks” on her reputation, making false accusations about her […]
Homeowner says HOA is subsidizing golf country club (NV)
Q: Looking for some advice. My homeowners association has private country club/golf course that the other HOA residents are not members unless they pay a minimum of 100-plus percent (right now about 130 percent) of the HOA fees. All this is fine, except the country club’s fees to the HOA have not increased in the […]
Engineers to remove water lilies from Northborough’s Solomon Pond (MA)
Environmental engineer Dominic Meringolo and SOLitude Lake Management were hired by the Pond View Homeowners Association in 2019 to survey and recommend management of vegetation in Solomon Pond. Read the entire article……………………………….
Firefighters Prevent Condo Blaze in Dobbs Ferry from Spreading (NY)
Firefighters from four area fire departments were able to prevent a blaze at a condominium complex in Dobbs Ferry Sunday from spreading to adjoining units. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo Fire on Darlington Ln Near Virginia Rd in Crystal Lake (IL)
Firefighters arrived within four minutes, and upon arrival discovered smoke showing from a 2-story, 8-unit building. Smoke appeared to be coming from the second floor, but firefighters discovered the fire in a first floor kitchen. Read the entire article……………………………….
Hammocks Residents Denied Entry to Vote in Community Association Elections (FL)
At one point, Florida State Sen. Annette Taddeo spoke with security about trying to get inside herself to monitor the vote count, but even she wasn’t allowed in Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo Complex Elevation Going Smoothly (NJ)
A major project to elevate Ocean Aire Condominiums, a complex in Ocean City’s south end plagued by flooding for years, is underway and on track for completion by the spring. Read the entire article……………………………….
Associations may make payments to vendors by ACH (FL)
Q: According to the Condominium Act, an association and its officers, directors, employees and agents may not use a debit card issued in the name of the association, or billed directly to the association, for the payment of any association expense. Does this apply to ACH debit payment of expenses billed to the association? Read […]
‘Total disregard’: Sherman Park residents are fed up with reckless driving. Here’s how one resident is trying to stop it (WI)
Sherman Park resident Jordan Morales said that when he bought a home to accommodate his family of five children, he wanted them to feel safe enough to play in the front yard. Just three years in, however, and he said the idea of them doing that is “terrifying.” Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA proxy elections permissible (FL)
Q: Are owners allowed to use proxies to vote at a meeting in a homeowners’ association and what is required for a proxy? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Grandfathering of Rental Restrictions in Condos and HOA’s (FL)
For many years now, Chapter 718, Florida Statutes has provided that any new rental restrictions approved by the membership of a Condominium as an amendment to the governing documents only apply to those who voted for the amendment or those who obtained title to the unit after the amendment was approved and recorded in the […]
DeKalb Fire Department Johnson’s Chapel Station Gets $500 Donation from Mountain Harbour POA (TN)
Mountain Harbour Property Owners Association has donated $500 to the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Johnson’s Chapel Station. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Homefront: Rent restrictions, term limits, elections among changes in 2022 (CA)
Many laws are changing for California HOAs this year, and here is a recap of the most important changes. Read the entire article……………………………….
Resident files suit over ban on white fences in Bella Vista (AR)
Little appears tranquil behind the white fences in Bella Vista. Bella Vista resident Jim Parsons has waged a protest for weeks against the Bella Vista Architectural Control Committee’s decision to ban white fences. Read the entire article……………………………….
Wailea Community Association has contributed $18,000 to UH Maui College’s nursing students (HI)
To help address healthcare challenges during the pandemic, the Wailea Community Association began to financially support the University of Hawai?i Maui College nursing program in hopes of increasing healthcare resources for their homeowners and the community at large. Read the entire article……………………………….
Shooter was dressed as officer when he entered condo building, killed resident, building manager says (CO)
The man who police say killed five people in a shooting spree across Denver and Lakewood Monday was dressed as a police officer when he forced himself into a Cheesman Park condo and killed one of his victims, the building manager said. Read the entire article……………………………….
We Got Gators in Austin. Now What? (TX)
Alberto Garnica Jr., a Travis County game warden, arrived one day in early December at a retention pond in the Berdoll Farms subdivision in Del Valle, south of the high school, and was shocked to hear a deep bellow echo from the direction of the three long, dark culverts at the pond’s edge. When another […]
Lake Ann Homeowners Fighting For Pet Chickens (MI)
A couple in Lake Ann are fighting to keep their chickens on their property, and the issue has ruffled some feathers on the Homeowners Association board. Back in June, Rachael Brehler was at Tractor Supply Co. and on a spontaneous buy she brought home four hens – Waddles, Cheetah Bird, Ruby and Karen. Read […]
Condo directors should control budget (MI)
Q: There are some members of our condo association who want to be able to vote on the budget, any increases in annual assessments, and any additional assessments. While we believe in democracy and want to promote inclusiveness in our association, are there risks associated with allowing this? Read the Q&A……………………………………
Evacuated Horizon West condo resident shares his story (WI)
On Dec. 2, R G (also known as RJ) Esposito was enjoying dinner with his wife after a work trip when a Waukesha County Sheriff’s deputy knocked on his door at the Horizon West Condominiums building. Read the entire article……………………………….
Water main break floods condos in Rockville, at least seven families displaced for ‘weeks’ (MD)
At least seven families have been displaced after a water main break sent water pouring into terrace-level units at the Plymouth Woods condo and townhome community in Rockville. Read the entire article……………………………….
Roeland Park reviews options to remove racist language from property records (KS)
Roeland Park city leaders are searching for ways to remove discriminatory language from property-related documents on homes throughout the city. City Attorney Steve Maurer said initial research done on properties within the city showed racially discriminatory language was found in three types of land related documents: plats, deeds and covenants and restriction agreements created by […]
Engineer Proposes Slashing Scope of Millennium Tower Pile Upgrade (CA)
Based on further structural analysis and the success of a pilot program that installed three permanent piles using modified procedures, the structural engineer-of-record for the delayed perimeter pile upgrade of the 645-ft-tall Millennium Tower in San Francisco has proposed a significantly reduced scope for the project that he says would still arrest settlement and allow […]
MFD crews battle condo fire near 99th and Fountain, 2 people injured (WI)
Milwaukee fire crews were called to a condo fire near 99th St. and Fountain Ave. According the Milwaukee Fire Department, two burn victims were taken to local hospitals. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fundraiser set up for Horizon West condominium residents (WI)
While Horizon West Condominiums owners face millions of dollars in either demolition of the building or building repairs, with the decision likely to be the former, a GoFundMe has recently been set up to benefit all owners of the 48 condominium units. Horizon West Condominium owners were told to immediately evacuate their homes Dec. 2 […]
Town to pay up to $80,000 to fix Phoenix Street trails access point (AZ)
The Town of Payson has asked the council to dip into contingency funds to put in parking along Phoenix Street at a popular hiking trail access point. The council heard the request during its Dec. 9 meeting, but delayed pulling the trigger on the project until February to give the homeowners association time to overcome some […]
No mailbox fix from USPS until neighborhood Turns to Ted (TX)
For months, residents of a neighborhood in northwest Harris County wasted hours endlessly going back and forth to the post office just to pick up their mail. “The mailboxes were vandalized. Totally. I mean, with crowbars and the doors were wide open,” Bob Braman told ABC13’s Ted Oberg. Read the entire article……………………………….
Maple Heights fire guts 16-unit condo building, sends 3 to the hospital (OH)
Residents of a sixteen-unit condominium complex on Maple Park Driive just off Granger woke up to some terrifying moments about 5:40 Monday morning. “A nightmare,” said Shadelta Randle, displaced by the fire. “Look at this building. Imagine being woken up out your sleep by smoke. And fire flames.” Read the entire article……………………………….
Key Biscayne condo managers favor aggressive inspection protocol (FL)
Recommendations last week by a Miami-Dade County Grand Jury regarding tighter — yet, ultimately, costlier — regulations for condominium safety are gaining acceptance by those close to the situation on Key Biscayne. Read the entire article……………………………….
Power of attorney can be used to delegate certain owner rights (FL)
Q: Can a legal owner of a condominium use a limited power of attorney to assign his rights as an owner to another person? An owner at a condominium wants to give me a power of attorney to exercise his rights to attend meetings, speak at meetings, contact the manager, use the facilities, vote in […]
Violent Winds Cause Damage to Neighborhoods in Eastern Goleta Valley (CA)
A band of heavy rain and violent winds moved through the eastern Goleta Valley on Saturday night, downing power lines and causing damage in a condominium complex in the area. Read the entire article……………………………….
Florida Community Law Q & A
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……………………………………