If you live in a condo or homeowners association, you may wonder: where is all your money going? Do you have a right to the records, and if so how do you get them? Which is why one South Florida woman called Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser. Read the entire article……………………………….
One person dead in Plainville condo fire (CT)
One person is dead following a fire in Plainville early Wednesday morning. The fire broke out at a condo building on Russell Avenue. Plainville Fire Chief Thomas Moschini said crews saw heavy fire when they first arrived on the scene. The fire was coming from one of the condo units and starting to extend to […]
With sewer construction looming, West Falmouth neighborhood plans to take town to court (ME)
The homeowners association for The Woodlands plans to file a lawsuit in early November to stop a West Falmouth sewer improvement project that is scheduled to start next month, the group’s attorney says. Read the entire article……………………………….
Breaking News: City and Rock Springs Ridge HOA part ways on land swap (FL)
It began on a sunny day in April at the Apopka Amphitheater, and ended at the same venue on a November evening plagued by mosquitoes. The whirlwind romance between the City of Apopka, Rock Springs Ridge Homeowners Association and the Golf Group ended with a counter offer Read the entire article……………………………….
Club West case gets messier as The Edge claims land use rights to the course (AZ)
The four men who bought the Club West Golf Course two years ago have obtained the declarant rights to the beleaguered site. Papers filed with the County Recorder Sept. 22 show Shea Homes transferred the declarant rights to The Edge. The quitclaim filed by Shea makes no reference to whether The Edge paid anything to […]
Parked in HOA hell (ID)
Residents typically reach out to their HOA to handle maintenance needs. Afana is nowhere to be found, residents told The Press. He did not respond to Press requests for comment. Further investigation led homeowners to discover the HOA was not properly formed and the covenants, conditions and restrictions given to each homeowner were never signed […]
Condo risks in focus as A&E market tightens
Rising losses are causing underwriters to rethink the way they analyze architects and engineers professional liability risks, and the deadly collapse of a condominium building in south Florida earlier this year is raising further concerns. Read the entire article……………………………….
Lock expert finds security flaw affecting thousands of apartments, condos (PA)
A Pittsburgh lock expert has uncovered a security flaw that could affect thousands of apartment and condominium buildings across the country. The problem is with some intercoms that residents use to talk with visitors and let them in the door. Read the entire article……………………………….
Local people solving local problems (AZ)
Some interesting real estate stuff is happening in Tucson regarding golf courses. Interest in golfing has steadily waned for years, to the point where there is not enough revenue to support the businesses or even physically maintain the courses. How will all this be resolved? Read the entire article……………………………….
Crews knock down fire at Snowmass Village condo complex (CO)
Fire crews responded Saturday afternoon to a structure fire in the Seasons Four complex in Snowmass Village. Roaring Fork Fire Rescue firefighters were using the ladder truck to try to get to what appeared to be the exterior wall on the top level in the end unit of the complex’s L building. Read the entire […]
Shared ownership communities answer to the majority (FL)
Q: I read your column every week and I get the impression that most HOAs and condo associations are a law unto themselves. Ours certainly doesn’t answer to us and we pay them for that privilege! How did it get this way? Do you think change is possible here in the Sunshine State? Read the […]
Boulder condo residents recount moments of terror fleeing Oct. 19 fire (CO)
Just hours before a massive fire ripped through Whittier Apartments where Matthew Sheares lived, he fell asleep on the couch. This wouldn’t have been that significant of detail to Sheares’ life at all, except that this part of his apartment tends to funnel in more noise from the adjacent living units, than his bedroom loft. […]
HOA cracking down on roommate rules (NV)
Q: Can a homeowners association make a rule and fine you if you have a roommate? In Clark County up to four unrelated people are allowed to live in a single-family residence by code. Twice, my friend has been fined $1,000 over roommates. Last time, they said it was running a business. She had only […]
Community Law column (FL)
Q: I am a board member at my homeowner’s association (HOA). We have recently implemented electronic voting. We also asked that owners provide us with consent to send official association notices via email so we could save on postage and mailing. Read the Q&A…………………………………….
Board needs to meet with commissions (IL)
Q: Read the Q&A………………………………..I am a member of our association’s architectural control commission. Owners submit architectural change requests to the commission. The commission reviews an owner’s submittals, speaks with the owner, and then makes a thoughtful recommendation to the board. The board frequently ignores the recommendations of the commission.
Deteriorating Condo Faces Repair – Deadline Approaches (FL)
The clock is ticking for the deteriorating condo building in Key West that was given 45 days from Sept. 13 to submit a comprehensive plan and timeline for crucial structural repairs that have become a health and safety concern. Read the entire article……………………………….
Developer and activist deny they are trying to exploit homeless to force land deal (KY)
Developer Chris Thieneman Thursday denied he is using homeless people to force the Glenmary Homeowner’s Association to buy an abandoned golf course in the subdivision he has an option to buy. Read the entire article……………………………….
UPDATE: ‘It Was Deceptive;’ Former San Francisco Millennium Tower Tenant Glad He’s Out (CA)
Building officials gave the green light Thursday for limited work to resume on the fix for San Francisco’s leaning Millennium Tower after ongoing work to straighten the luxury high-rise was halted after making it worse instead of better. Read the entire article……………………………….
Biscayne Bay condo resident holding out against forced eviction by real estate developer (FL)
One man is the lone holdout still living in a high rise condo building on Biscayne Bay. He took his eviction to court. There also may be a pattern from the developer when it comes to clearing out residents. Read the entire article……………………………….
Proposal to bring homeless encampment to Fern Creek subdivision leads to lawsuit (KY)
The president of the West Louisville Urban Coalition purchased a small piece of land on a golf course, but lawyers say he can’t use it in the way he had hoped. Read the entire article……………………………….
Contractor Allegedly Stole More Than $50,000 From Southport Residents (MA)
In December 2020, Southport management became aware that Mr. Vieira allegedly forged the signature of one of its agents on an architectural modification form that was submitted to the Town of Mashpee building department, police said in court documents. The Southport Condominium Association then barred Mr. Vieira from doing additional work in the neighborhood but […]
Ask the HOA Expert: Can Governing Documents Be Amended?
Question: Can HOA governing documents be amended to allow compensation to directors for their services as board members? It stands to reason that they could be held more accountable if they received compensation for performance. Read the Q&a……………………………………….
Runaway Bay condos hit with massive property insurance increase (FL)
The Runaway Bay Condominium Homeowners Association is experiencing a 337% increase in its annual property insurance premiums, an increase that may eventually be felt by other condo associations, resorts, apartment complexes and single-family homeowners on Anna Maria Island and throughout the state. Read the entire article……………………………….
‘Spite fence’ angers neighbors of West Neck golf community in Virginia Beach (VA)
Tom Luckman used to sit on a bench in his backyard, sipping coffee and taking in the view. He and his wife, Sis, live on what used to be Hole 3 of the Signature at West Neck golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer, in the southern part of the city. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo Deconversions Will Continue in Chicagoland Area (IL)
If we consider that 2017 was the year that deconversion sales in Chicago began in earnest, we are now four years into the cycle. I’m frequently asked my opinion of how much longer this cycle will last, and what it will look like going forward. To me, that comes down mainly to supply and demand, […]
Rise in Summerlin burglaries has residents seeking more security (NV)
Sun City Summerlin residents are investing in security systems and teaming up to watch one another’s homes after a recent increase in burglaries in the neighborhood. Read the entire article……………………………….
Post-Surfside, Florida engineers say all large buildings need to be inspected
Florida should require nearly all large buildings be inspected for structural problems within their first 30 years, with follow-ups every 10 years, according to recommendations by the state’s engineering associations made in the wake of the Surfside condominium collapse. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo questions: What are requirements for reserves under Florida law?
Q: My condominium is currently working on its 2022 budget. I know we have a reserve budget with multiple items. It looks like the replacement costs for several of the items on the reserve budget has skyrocketed. What are the requirements regarding reserves under Florida law and is there a possibility of lowering the reserve […]
Apopka road wins 2021 Corridor of the Year, thanks to HOA, volunteers and Orange Co. Commissioner Moore (FL)
Along Wekiwa Springs Rd. you may have noticed the large signs at either end, between SR 436 and Welch Road, proclaiming the road the winner of the 2021 District 2 Corridor of the Year (COY) Contest. Orange County Commissioner District 2 Christine Moore held the inaugural, friendly corridor competition to encourage neighborhoods along the nominated […]
Most of Montclair’s William Hughes Building still unsafe, condo association says (NJ)
The building houses three businesses — Mesob, Ani Ramen, The Shade Store — and nine condominiums, all of which were subjected to multiple feet of flooding after the storm. While Ani Ramen has since opened, the other businesses and the condos can’t, according to José Barreiro, president of the William Hughes Condo Association. Read the […]
Steamboat Planning Commission discusses role of homeowners associations in short-term rental policy (CO)
As Steamboat Springs City Council is deciding where and how short-term rentals can exist, the city’s planning commission met Monday to discuss whether homeowners associations should be able to opt in or out of any city rules. Read the entire article……………………………….
Permitting snafu that put Ambassador and Commodore South Condos on recertification delinquent list being addressed (FL)
Technicalities, a lack of communication or even proper record-keeping can sometimes hinder a building recertification process, landing property owners or its management teams on delinquent lists. Read the entire article……………………………….
Desperate for answers, Crestview Towers residents hold protest in front of condo (FL)
About two dozen residents from the Crestview Towers in North Miami Beach held a protest in front of their building, more than three months after they were forced to leave their homes. Read the entire article……………………………….
Mariner’s Cove Waterfront Homeowners Concerned For Safety With Dismantled Bulkheads (DE)
The president of the homeowner’s association emailed all residents in mid-July saying that owner of Mariner’s Cove, Equity Lifestyle Properties, had hired a construction company to fill holes in the bulkheads and other areas. The work was to start July 17 and could take as much as three months. Read the entire article……………………………….
Developer accused of ‘importing homeless people’ to force Louisville subdivision to deal (KY)
Developer Chris Thieneman used homeless people as pawns to try to force Glenmary residents to pay him $1.6 million for land he controls in the giant Fern Creek subdivision, according to a suit filed against him by its homeowner’s association. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fairfax County leaders looking for ways to encourage more electric vehicle use (VA)
“We have heard from apartment owners, condo owners, community association boards, HOA boards who have unused parking spaces that they want to put electric vehicle charging stations in and they would’ve already done it if it didn’t cost so much to go through the process,” he said. Read the entire article……………………………….
Residents Oppose Township Settlement With Tyrone Property Owners (MI)
Dean Hass lives on the lake and is a homeowner association board member. He noted their HOA doesn’t regulate building as they count on the township to do that based on existing ordinances that have been stringently enforced in the past on Runyan Lake and others. Hass said the Association depends on sightlines and the […]
New Rules to Protect Consumers From Unsafe Condos
In light of the Champlain Towers South condo collapse in Riverside, Florida, in June 2021, Fannie Mae is taking measures to show the public that condos and co-ops are still viable options for people in the market looking for something convenient and affordable. Read the entire article……………………………….
Fairfax neighborhood struggles to slow down speeding cars driving past stop signs (VA)
Fairfax neighbors have turned to fighting speeding cars with their own signs, only to watch them be taken down. Watch the news report………………………………………..
HOA underfunded; walkway in state of disrepair (NV)
Q: Hello, I have two questions, I live in a HOA community with 66 units, I am new to this community and attended my first board meeting and was frightened to learn that our reserves are only 18 percent funded with no thought to increase. Read theQ&A………………………………….
Man’s trash was waiting, then neighbors helped (AZ)
David Pizer likes to work in his yard, so he recently got his up to snuff. Then he did what pretty much anyone would do: he put the bulk trash out to be picked up by the city’s Solid Waste Department. A week later, it still wasn’t picked up. So, he wrote a […]
Hollywood Beach Condo May Renege on 47-Year-Old Promise to Residents (FL)
About a mile south of the revelry of the Margaritaville resort is a four-acre parcel of public waterfront land that contains a public park, a community center, and a scenic beachscape where weary souls can soothe themselves with the sounds of lapping waves. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Homefront: New law will help communities pivot to email vs. snail mail (CA)
2021 was the most positive legislative year for California HOAs in a very long time. Today’s column summarizes four helpful changes to California law, one of which is already in effect. Read the entire article……………………………….
Crews Pumping Out Water At Site Of Surfside Condo Collapse (FL)
The Town of Surfside is quickly trying to pump out water from the site where the Champlain Towers South once stood. “Miami Dade County turned off the pumps that they had several weeks ago and so all the rain that has been coming down from the sky has been collecting in this basement and there’s […]
Ask the HOA Expert: Proper Funding Levels
Question: Our HOA recently had a reserve study update which the board is evaluating to ensure that we are adequately funded. What is a proper funding level? I have heard numbers from “30% Funded” to “80% Funded”. Read the entire article……………………………….
North Side Condo Building Residents Alarmed By Mail Thefts Apparently Committed Using A Master Key (IL)
One key fits all – and it’s a big problem for residents of a Chicago condo building where people keep having their mail stolen. As CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov reported Wednesday night, thieves have been captured on surveillance video using a key that is supposed to be Post Office property only. Read the […]
Ask a real estate pro: What can neighbors do about hoarder’s unkempt home?
Q: A resident of our community is a hoarder and does not maintain his home. We are concerned that the condition of his home will attract pests and cause other problems. The association’s management company sent him letters, but nothing came of it, and the problem is getting worse. Can anything be done? Read the […]
Condo questions: Is it legal for association to have a 50/50 raffle? (FL)
Q: My homeowner’s association is considering hosting a social event where there will be a 50/50 raffle. Basically, everyone who comes to the event will be asked to donate a specific amount and a drawing is held for a winner. Half of the collected funds go to the winner and the other half goes to […]
No more rentals: HOA ruling to force 180 families from Raleigh neighborhood (NC)
About 180 families who rent homes in a Raleigh neighborhood may soon be forced to uproot their lives and move out because of a ruling by the homeowners association. Mark Scearce is one of them. “I absolutely love it here. I love the whole design of the place,” Scearce said of renting at Renaissance Park. […]