The Towne Club of Beach Haven condominium development has been ordered to remove nine existing tree islands by next month. The islands are located on a section of Centre Street between Bay Avenue and Delaware Avenue. Read the article……………………………..
Coming Together And Finding Solutions In Times Of Adversity (NC)
As Covid-19 arrived in the United States in early 2020, people were forced to make adjustments to their usual activities seemingly overnight. For community associations, new meeting formats, safety concerns, and revamping community activities took center stage. We at CAMS are immeasurably impressed with the resilience our communities have shown and their willingness to embrace […]
Bella Vista POA sued (AR)
Two people are suing the Bella Vista Property Owners Association over the increased monthly assessment fee for improved property. Kevin Hickey and Brad- ley Hull, lawyers from Fort Smith, filed the lawsuit last week in Benton County Circuit Court on behalf of Kevin Dooley and Jim Parsons. The association and its board of directors are […]
Palm Bay Towers unit owners sue condo board, alleging marina neglect (FL)
The only waterfront high-rise in Miami’s Upper Eastside neighborhood is a case study in condo board neglect, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Ten unit owners at the Palm Bay Towers are suing their condominium association and property manager KW Property Management & Consulting in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, alleging that both have willfully ignored major […]
Tree Crushes Roof Of Derry Condo, Firefighters Rescue Residents (NH)
Occupants escaped a 3-unit condo after a tree crashed on the building’s roof causing heavy damage. One person was taken to the hospital. Read the article………………………………….
You and the Law | When the pest control company damages your property (CA)
Today’s story will be of special interest to three groups of readers: 1. Anyone who owns a condominium under the management of an HOA, a Home Owners Association. 2. Managers of HOAs. 3. Companies who contract with HOAs and cause damage to the property of condo owners. Read the Q&A……………………………………….
Another water issue in Pine (AZ)
Pine suffered for years with water issues. It became so critical that they put a building moratorium in place. The moratorium is gone, but now some residents are dealing with too much water. Darwin Huber recently talked about the problem with the Roundup. “We have an issue here in Portal III in Pine. Starting back […]
Homeowners association suddenly removes several basketball hoops from Montgomery Co. neighborhood (TX)
Several people in a Montgomery County neighborhood have voiced their displeasure after basketball hoops were taken away. On Monday, a viewer reached out to FOX 26 after several basketball hoops were removed from their Woodforest neighborhood by a trailer. Read the article……………………………….
Condo Complex to Rise Above Flood Level in $3 Million Project (MD)
An Ocean City condominium complex often inundated by stormwater will be getting a lift – literally – to elevate it above flood levels. The city has been awarded a $3 million federal grant to raise the seven-building Ocean Aire condos at 43rd Street and West Avenue in the south end of town. Read the article……………………………
School System, HOA Bring in USDA to Chase Out Vultures (VA)
Broadlands Association General Manager Sarah Gerstein said the HOA consulted with the USDA only after Read the article………………………………….“numerous complaints” from residents and local businesses.
Co-ops and Condos Are Avoiding Property Tax Delinquency (NY)
Unpaid property taxes in New York City are soaring as homeowners struggle and the pandemic recession slashes the rents landlords are collecting from both commercial and residential tenants, The City reports. The property tax arrears rose to $1.3 billion in February – 4.5% of the almost $30 billion due, according to figures released by city […]
Association Cannot Edit Candidate Resumes (FL)
Q: For our condominium association’s upcoming election, the blank candidate information sheet provided by the management company has a signature and date line at the bottom. Is it required that candidates running for the board of directors to sign the candidate information sheet form after what they have written about themselves? Read the Q&A’s………………………………….
Littleton Couple & Neighbors Support Voting For A Change To HOA’s Flag Policy (CO)
The kerfuffle over a Black Lives Matter flag hung outside a Littleton home started in early February when Kara and Ben Wilkoff’s HOA sent them a letter telling them to take it down. “Literally the statement is ‘flag is not approved,’” said Ben. Read the article…………………………………
Padre Island residents remove thousands of pounds of dead fish from canals, beaches (TX)
Marvin Jones, President of the Padre Island Property Owner Association, said with the help of volunteers, they were able to collect 120 trash bags full of fish, each bag weighing about 50 pounds, leading to an estimated total of 6,000 pounds of fish! Read the article…………………………………
Robert’s Rules allows small organizations to dispense with seconds and other formalities (FL)
Q: Your discussions of associations frequently have interest to many readers like me. Thanks for offering advice. For your recent article regarding Robert’s Rules, I think a clarification is needed, specifically regarding the use of Robert’s Rules for a small board. I fully agree we don’t want to become too obsessed with these rules. […]
How do you know if your condo or homeowners association is well-managed? Here are some tips (VA)
How do you know if your homeowners or condominium association is being successfully managed? It can sometimes be hard to determine if a community with an association is being run well. Read the article……………………………………….
Barking issues can result in fines for owner (IL)
Q: Like so many people, I have been working from my condominium unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have noticed a lot of owners in our association have dogs. During the workday, any number of different dogs may start barking for a few minutes. The barking of the dogs can be very distracting. I have […]
Use of electronic voting (FL)
Q: In response to COVID-19, our community wants to authorize the use of electronic voting to facilitate participation. Can the association use an online polling service, or do we need to engage a third party to implement the electronic voting system? Read the article…………………………………………..
HOA Homefront: Can a board ban tenants with a criminal past? (CA)
Q: My HOA made a change in the CC&Rs. Renters must be approved by the board, and nobody with a criminal record shall be approved. Can they make these demands for just rental units and not units being sold? Wouldn’t criminal records be just as important about potential buyers? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Dispute erupts in upscale Ooltewah neighborhood as golf course owner seeks to create more home lots (TN)
A dispute at an upscale Hamilton County neighborhood has emerged over efforts by its golf course owner to see more houses built near The Ooltewah Club. Course owner Rick Stern wants approval from county planners to create 10 additional home lots inside the Hampton Creek gated community off Snow Hill Road. Read the article……………………………………
HOA finds backyard fence in violation of rules (NV)
Q: I have enjoyed reading your column for several years along with the information that you get to share with the readers. I do have several questions that I am sure you will be able to share valuable information on. Read the Q&A…………………………
Tustin homeowners association: ‘Repaint that $23K garage door! (CA)
The fate of garage doors – any garage doors – does not exactly rate high on the list of world problems. But for Julie Good, her new garage doors are a triumph, a piece de resistance, a tour de force. Less hyperbolic, they improve her house’s curb appeal. Read the article………………………….
New Mexico homeowners told they can’t connect solar systems
New Mexico has been called a ‘national leader in clean energy,’ with legislation putting the state on a path to renewable energy. However, some homeowners who want to install solar are being told they can’t. Read the article…………………………………..
Two families displaced, one resident goes to hospital after Danbury condo fire (CT)
Two families were displaced Wednesday in a fire that damaged a condo complex. One person evacuated the condo and went to the hospital to be evaluated for burns before firefighters arrived, Danbury Fire Department said. Read the article………………………………
Is Westbury charging mandatory fees when it shouldn’t? (TX)
When real estate agent Charles Goforth was reviewing paperwork for a home under contract in Westbury, he noticed something that didn’t make sense to him. The title company said a $125 transfer fee — a mandatory fee sometimes charged by homeowners associations — was required for the sale to go through. Read the article……………………………………..
Real Estate Advice: What condo boards can and cannot do (MA)
Q: I am a member of the board of trustees of my condo association. It has been brought to our attention that one of the unit owners has a washer and dryer in his bathroom that drains into the tub. The bylaws prohibit washers and dryers in individual units. The unit owner who reported this […]
Condo World: Electronic condo association meetings now and in the future (NH)
One of the problems the pandemic has created is how to hold Association meetings, annual or special. A current question in a number of associations is how to hold them when (1) there are state orders against large gatherings, (2) some people who would otherwise attend a meeting won’t because of a fear of lack […]
People Are Turning Shipping Containers Into Tiny Homes. Here Are the Pros and Cons
To most people, a 2018 Ram ProMaster is just a vehicle. For Chelsey Hathman, it’s home. Chelsey Hathman, 29, renovated her van to live in full-time. Squeezed out of her Texas condo by the hidden costs of homeownership, such as maintenance and homeowners association fees, Hathman, 29, sold the place and moved into her 60-square-foot […]
‘Our money’s going in the toilet’: Amenities destroyed after homeowners file lawsuit over high fees (FL)
A group of Sumter County homeowners turned to 9 Investigates for help after the owner of their 55+ community destroyed amenities that have been the center of an ongoing court fight. Read the article…………………………………….
Stoneybrook West residents head to second vote on golf-course purchase (AZ)
Although Stoneybrook West residents recently shot down a proposal necessary to allow the homeowners association to purchase Stoneybrook West Golf & Country Club, another vote is on the horizon. Read the article…………………………………..
Fire leads to evacuation at large East Hartford condo complex (CT)
A pre-dawn fire in a large condo complex in East Hartford forced residents to flee their homes Wednesday morning. Read the article……………………………..
Some private residents will be able to enforce parking violations in South Walton (FL)
A newly written ordinance was voted on, which would deter visitors from parking on private properties at Tuesday’s commission meeting. After a back and forth discussion, the board passed an ordinance for private property owners to regulate unattended vehicles on their properties. This would allow for them to hire security companies to give parking fines. […]
Community Association Q&A: Access to Minutes, Violation Letters? (FL)
Q: There are numerous parking violations and pet violations occurring in my condominium community. I don’t believe the board and manager are taking proper enforcement actions. Are owners entitled to review board meeting minutes to see what, if anything, is being done to address these ongoing violations? Am I entitled to copies of any demand […]
Man Sues Arapahoe County HOA Over Pride Flag, BLM Sign (CO)
The controversy over metro Denver homeowners’ associations banning residents from displaying Black Lives Matter flags and other humanistic signage has been raging in recent weeks. And now, a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Colorado takes the matter into a new realm: the federal judicial system. Read the article……………………………….
Thin Blue Line Flag Joins Littleton Black Lives Matter HOA Fight (CO)
Kara and Ben Wilkoff’s fight for the right to display a Black Lives Matter flag over the objections of the Kensington Ridge/Cobblestone Village homeowners association was headed for a February 27 virtual meeting with the HOA’s board of directors, at which they hoped to find a mutually satisfactory solution. Read the article………………………………..
Spring Branch residents are flushing toilets with river, pool water after 9 days without water (TX)
Without any water for nine days, people who live in a Spring Branch gated subdivision say they’re getting desperate. Some are using water from their pools and the Guadalupe River, to flush their toilets. What’s even worse, according to residents, is the lack of communication and support from the water company— though the company denies […]
Paying it forward: How families in Katy, Lafayette continue to help each other through disasters (TX)
Pine Mill Ranch communicates through the homeowner association’s Facebook page. Neighbors began creating lists for LeBas who hit up major home improvements stores and small hardware stores. Read the article…………………………….
Police blotter: Woman brandished firearm at HOA workers (CA)
A woman was arrested after brandishing a firearm at employees hired by the homeowners’ association to work on the residential property. Read the first article…………………………………..
HOA charged family $927 for leaving trash on curb too long (FL)
A family that mistakenly placed trash bags along the curb for collection on the wrong day received a $927 bill from their homeowner’s association, a fee the property owners considered unreasonable because they received no prior warning. Read the article…………………………..
State fines Fishhawk Lake Reserve after fish deaths (OR)
The state has fined Fishhawk Lake Reserve and Community $439,200 for draining a reservoir and allegedly killing more than 30,000 fish. The homeowners association plans to appeal the fine. Fishhawk Lake is a private community around a reservoir formed in the 1960s by an earthen dam. The homeowners association maintains the lake, processes water and […]
Ocean Pines board doesn’t act on allegations against leader, sparking community outrage (MD)
Community members in Ocean Pines are upset with the homeowners association’s Board of Directors after the body declined to act on allegations that the board president allegedly created a hostile work environment for employees. Read the article………………………………
Board vote may require majority of all directors, or majority participating in meeting (FL)
Our HOA is constituted as a five-member board with a quorum requirement of three voting members for any resolution. Recently one of the board members relocated, leaving four active members. We issued a request at our yearly meeting for new board members and the proper intent to serve forms were submitted by two residents. […]
Association likely must pay to restore garage (IL)
Q: I live in a condominium association. The roots of a tree located on the common elements of the association have damaged the concrete slab of the garage floor of my unit. Who is responsible for repairing the damage to the concrete slab? Read the Q&A……………………………………
HOA Homefront – Reader Questions on rental issues (CA)
Q: I have a home that I rent. Last week I received a traffic notice stating my HOA account was levied a fine of $100 for speeding, committed by my tenant’s caregiver. Is it lawful for a HOA to be able to fine an absentee owner for behavior of a guest not known to owner? […]
State law does not have HOA rule on height of flag pole (NV)
Q: I was hoping you could help me. I just joined the board of my HOA and we are having a hard time agreeing on a homeowner’s request to install a flagpole. I feel the homeowner should be able to install a 25-foot flagpole in their front yard, but a couple board members insist that […]
Frozen hydrant complicates Tulsa firefighters’ attempt to put out blaze (OK)
A frozen fire hydrant made it difficult for Tulsa firefighters to put out a midtown fire this morning. Investigators responded to a two-unit condo fire near East 51st Street South and South Fulton Avenue around 7:15 a.m. Read the article…………………………………
Bayside homeowners file suits against developer (DE)
Homeowners in the Bayside community near Selbyville have filed a pair of class-action lawsuits in Delaware Court of Chancery against developer Carl M. Freeman Communities alleging the developer withheld information that would have allowed the homeowners to control their own community association. Read the article……………………………………
Single dad says HOA refusing to renew lease over review (FL)
Michael Bucherich says these 100 words, posted nine months ago on Google, have left him in a pickle. “During a time of national crisis and all of the neighborhood children trapped at home with little to no relief this association has elected to fine its residents $25 per day for having small inflatable pools while […]
NYC Mom Throws Baby From 2nd Floor to Neighbor After Gas Blast; 6 Kids Among 10 Hurt (NY)
A gas explosion at a condo unit in the Bronx has left 10 people injured, six of whom are children, fire officials said. The report of an explosion on Paulding Avenue in the Bronx came in just before 3:30 p.m., the Fire Department of New York said. Two people in serious condition were taken to […]