It’s a losing game in the long run for any condo association to postpone needed maintenance on their buildings or make band-aid fixes. It’s also not best practices for a condo association to dip into their coffers, funded by members, to pay for millions of billable gallons of Fairfax County water leaking into the ground. […]
Golf course polarizes Club West homeowners (AZ)
With a critical court ruling expected any day and an even more critical election two weeks away, Club West’s defunct golf course has polarized the community of 2,600 homeowners. Radically divergent views of the course’s future – and, more significantly, how to achieve it – have made the Foothills Club West Association board of directors […]
Stamford Condo Board Votes To Remove Trump’s Name From Building (CT)
A Stamford, Connecticut, high-rise condominium has removed former President Donald Trump’s name from its branding. The Trump Parc Stamford erased Trump’s name from its front facade this week after its condo board voted unanimously to change the name. Read the article…………………………….
Condo question: Who’s responsible for repairs when a hot water heater damages other tenants’ property? (FL)
Q: A hot water heater burst on an upper floor and many units sustained water damage and owners are demanding the association pay for everything. Is the owner of the hot water heater responsible? Read the Q&A……………………………………..
Continental Country Club’s HOA files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (AZ)
In an email, the board president of the Continental Country Club HOA said the organization is facing several financial challenges, including the issue over Lake Elaine. Jon Held, the president of the association’s board of directors, said the filing will not impact day-to-day operations of the country club, including the public golf course and the […]
Overnight Condo Fire Leaves Families Displaced (NC)
Dozens of people are without a home after a fire destroyed a south Charlotte condominium. The Charlotte Fire Department says it happened in the 2000 block of Stoney Point Drive, just off of Sharon Lakes Road. When crews arrived, there were large flames and smoke coming from the two-story building. The department tweeted about the […]
Natomas Community Installs License Plate Readers In Hopes Of Deterring Crime (CA)
Fighting crime, one license plate at a time. A Natomas neighborhood fed up with law-breaking drivers has installed license plate readers throughout the community known as “The Hamptons.” “We’ve been out here for 15 years and there’s a lot of drive-by crime in the area,” said Amy Gidding-Mora. Read the article…………………………………
Authority of Board President Questioned (FL)
Q: An issue has come up in my condominium association regarding the role of the association president. Some members, including the current president, feel that the president of the association has the authority to take any action on behalf of the association without the consent of the rest of the board. Is this correct? Read […]
‘They put me through hell’: Homeowner battles HOA, gets thousands in settlement (FL)
A Central Florida couple claimed the homeowner’s association threatened to foreclose on their house for a debt they did not owe. Cindy Decker and her husband raised six children in the home they’ve lived in for 26 years. Their bitter, two-year battle with the homeowner’s association to save their house still seems unreal to them. […]
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 […]
Unstable connection: Internet company sues Marquis Miami condo association (FL)
The rooftop of a luxury condo high-rise marks the center of a vicious legal battle for cable and Internet supremacy in downtown Miami, according to a lawsuit recently filed in Broward County Circuit Court. Winter Haven, Florida-based ITCSAT Corp. is suing the Marquis Miami Condominium Association, a competitor cable and Internet provider named Broadwave, and […]
Indian Creek Property Owners Association schedules mitigation work March 20 (CO)
Indian Creek Property Owners Association will be conducting ITS 4th Fire Mitigation Workday of 2021 on Saturday, March 20. Their continuing momentum has more Indian Creek residents joining their “posse,” having fun, learning the benefits of fire mitigation, and little by little, making Indian Creek and Teller County safer. Read the article………………………………..
Century Village condo owner cited for walking on grass (FL)
People get slapped with violations and fines all the time in condo associations, but this is one Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser had never heard before: a condo owner got cited because she walked across the grass. Is that legal? Let’s see. Find Gloria in her Century Village condo, and you will find a […]
Freedom Isn’t Free: An Indio Man Displayed a Social-Justice Flag Outside His Home for Months—and Then His Homeowners’ Association Got Involved (CA)
The right of all Americans to freely express their views has been at the forefront of our nation’s consciousness over the last turbulent year. However … while the government is not allowed to limit speech (with some exceptions), private entities are (with some exceptions)—and that’s been a tough lesson for Chris Wilson, who lives in […]
HOA community lighting is a matter of security (NV)
Our community is small (less than 60 homes) with private streets without any overhead street lights The builder planned the community to be illuminated only by coach lights affixed to the exterior walls or garages of the individual dwellings. Such lighting creates the rural character of the community but results in a certain degree of […]
Condo Complex’s Plan To Uproot Trees Has Residents Worried About Kaneohe Bay (HI)
A Windward Oahu condominium complex is poised to uproot nearly two acres of trees on its sloping property, part of what it describes as a stabilization project to help guard nearby Kaneohe Bay from heavy soil runoff. Read the article…………………………………….
Fire in Gilford condominiums is contained (NH)
“To stop a fire in the middle units of a 4-unit condo is quite an accomplishment,” Carrier said. “Everyone did a great job. The alarm system provided notification; a back-up call from an occupant reporting smoke; and, great teamwork on the fireground limited the spread of the fire.” Read the article………………………………..
Possible tornado damages Pinellas County condo community (FL)
Powerful storms swept through Pinellas County Saturday night, leaving quite a mess behind in one particular community. The Boca Ciega Point retirement community saw a number of condominiums damaged by what could have been an overnight tornado. A Tornado Warning was issued for parts of the county around 1 a.m. Read the article………………………………..
First condo board given opportunity to end long-term contracts (IL)
Q: The initial meeting of our condominium association, to elect board members, was recently held by the developer. Soon after that meeting, the developer delivered books and records to the board that include multiple contracts between the association and various third parties. Some of these contracts run for years to come. Is the association stuck […]
Community association may review financial information when approving tenants (FL)
I am on the board of a condominium association. We recently denied a rental applicant based on his misrepresentations, lack of transparency and generally disingenuous application. We were careful to follow the guidelines of the Fair Housing Act and local ordinances. Read the Q&A………………………………
12 Fairfax County Condos Go Almost Three Months Without Hot Water (VA)
A dozen condos in one Fairfax County, Virginia, community have gone without hot water for almost three months, and homeowners association fees haven’t let up. The Lake Anne of Reston condos have signs hanging from balconies counting the days since residents have been without hot water. Read the article……………………………………..
Identifying delinquent owner in meeting minutes not illegal (FL)
Q: Is it improper or illegal to name a delinquent owner and the amount owed in the minutes of a meeting where the board votes to suspend an owner’s voting rights? Read the article………………………………………
HOA Homefront: Are my views protected or not? (CA)
Q: My HOA requires trees be situated so “normal enjoyment of view by other lot owners shall be required.” It also says the HOA controls tree trimming that “is necessary to prevent the obstruction of the view of lot owners.” Is this standard language or has it been prohibited by statute in any way? Read […]
County to split storm water repair with Verna Hills HOA (KY)
The Clark County Fiscal Court approved a joint project with a home owners association to split the costs of repairing a failed storm water system in the Verna Hills subdivision. Verna Hills Homeowners Association president Shelby Gill told the court Wednesday morning repairs would cost nearly $6,000 to repair the drainage system, which has sent […]
Condominium complex to disconnect from Lisle (IL)
A 15-building condominium complex will soon be disconnected from Lisle following years of disputes between the village and the condo association. The disconnection of the Lisle Place Condominiums along Blackhawk Lane is part of the settlement of a lawsuit the condo association filed against the village. Read the article……………………………………
Sand Canyon Community Votes Unanimously To Oppose Sand Canyon Resort (CA)
The Sand Canyon Community Association (SCHOA) voted unanimously to oppose the proposed Sand Canyon Resort, which has met with much resistance from local residents. Read the article…………………………………..
Rebuilding at fire-gutted Mary’s Lake Lodge in Estes Park remains on hold (CO)
The reopening of a fire-ravaged historic lodge on the south end of Estes Park, once scheduled for next month, remains uncertain because reconstruction that was paused last fall has yet to resume. Tina Harlow, the homeowners’ association manager for the Mary’s Lake Lodge property, said “we’ve had some interest” in “multiple aspects of the property.” […]
Suit aims to give Bayside home owners a majority on its board (DE)
Attorneys representing the Bayside Community Association and home owners in the housing development who wish to have the majority of seats on the governing board, are continuing negotiations in the wake of two lawsuits. Read the article………………………………….
Delray Beach HOA Sued: Cameras, Lights Too Close To Home (FL)
When does security become a nuisance? That’s the question a Palm Beach County Circuit Judge may have to answer as part of a just-filed lawsuit involving a homeowner and his Delray Beach Homeowners Association. Read the article………………………………
Frustrations Boil Over As Lake Anne Residents Grapple With No Hot Water Since Dec. 1 (VA)
Since Dec. 1, Robin Jordan warms water in two large stock pots, waits for the water to heat up, and crouches over the pots in her shower to give herself a bath with a washcloth. “We have no idea what’s going on,” Jordan, said. That’s because between 20 units — twelve condominium units and eight […]
Pines board denies claims by Phillips of hostile workplace (MD)
After holding a pair of closed session meetings over an ethics and conduct complaint against an unnamed director the week before, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors last Thursday held a special meeting lasting only several minutes to dismiss the allegations. Director Dr. Colette Horn opened the brief virtual meeting on Feb. 4 by […]
Condo World: The coming kidnapping of condo associations (NH)
Let’s be clear. Your computer, where you store your condominium association’s records, or the association’s computer system, will get hacked. Make no mistake about it. To pretend otherwise would be a mistake. Read the article…………………………………
Homeowners associations still a barrier for some would-be solar customers (MN)
Jonathan Edmonson had plans to put a 16-kilowatt solar array on the roof of his suburban Minneapolis home, covering its dark blue roof with sleek black panels. In October, though, the homeowners association for his Blaine community rejected his proposal, citing aesthetic concerns and the lack of established guidelines for rooftop solar in the association’s […]
Three hospitalized following Solana Beach condo fire (CA)
Three people were taken to the hospital following a condo fire in Solana Beach Wednesday night. According to the Del Mar Fire Department, the fire started at a condo near Via De La Valle and Solano Circle late Wednesday night. Read the article……………………………….
‘People Didn’t Want To Leave’: Firefighters Battle Massive Fire At Boxboro Condo Complex (MA)
Dozens of people have been displaced by a massive fire at a condo building in Boxboro. As firefighters poured water on the smoldering brick shell on Swanson Road, one longtime resident stood nearby in shock. “I’ve lived there for 45 years, so there’s a lot of memories there,” one woman said. It was just after […]
Condo questions: HOA development almost done, owners prepare for turnover (FL)
Q: Our homeowners association is still being developed, and the developer is almost done. A few owners are trying to get prepared for turnover, but we don’t know where to begin. Any tips? Read the Q&A……………………………………
Owners Of Building Allowed To Convert To Condominiums Despite Claim Of Displacing 100-Year Old Tenant (CA)
The owners of a six-unit San Francisco residential building got permission from a state appeals court on Friday to proceed with a condominium conversion, a case that got widespread attention over a 100-year-old woman’s efforts to stay in one of the units. Read the article…………………………………….
Westfield resident wants to share human rights stance on flag (IN)
Westfield resident Lily Shogren wanted to have a sign to display her support of social justice issues at her Oak Manor neighborhood home. The garden flag contains messages such as Black Lives Matter, Women’s Rights are Human Rights, Love is Love and Kindness is Everything. Read the article……………………………….
Littleton HOA’s Bizarre Fight Against Couple’s Black Lives Matter Flag (CO)
Kara and Ben Wilkoff don’t know what to think. Since late last year, the Kensington Ridge/Cobblestone Village Homeowners Association, the HOA for the couple’s Littleton neighborhood, has been trying to force them to take down a Black Lives Matter flag that’s been flying outside their residence for months; on February 1, the HOA put its […]
‘Something Didn’t Smell Quite Right’: Moldy Mess In Country Club Hills Condo Building That No One Wants To Clean Up (IL)
It’s a moldy mess infesting a vacant south suburban condo, wreaking havoc on the neighbor upstairs. CBS2 Investigator Megan Hickey got a look at the rotting residence and a neighbor claimed the whole problem could have been avoided. Read the article……………………………….
Condo Owners’ Legal Rights When the Bug Guy Damages Your Property
Let’s begin with this question: Who is responsible if a contractor hired by the association damages property inside the condo? That was “Stephanie’s” question. “Our HOA contracts with “Get Outa Here, Bugs” for pest control. During a treatment, without permission, the technician pulled out my drop-in GE electric range to spray. He dropped it, and […]
Fire Displaces 12 Households At Palos Hills Condominium Complex (CA)
Twelve households were displaced, children and elderly among them, when a fire tore through their building at the Riviera Condominium Complex late Sunday evening. Palos Hills officials are collecting gift cards and donations to help them buy food and winter gear lost in the fire. Read the article…………………………………
Long-awaited Timber Lake dredge date approaches, new tax in effect for residents (VA)
By mid-March, Timberlake residents hope to see the beginning of a dredging process — a long-awaited, much-fought-for effort to save Timber Lake from decades of damage and compounded sedimentation that threatens its health. After a referendum held in November 2019, the Timberlake Watershed Improvement District acquired the power to tax its residents, and recently set […]
Rancho Palos Verdes Expands Security Camera Program Into 2021 (CA)
Rancho Palos Verdes is stepping up neighborhood security and expanding its homeowner’s association security camera grant program into 2021. Homeowner’s associations and neighborhoods can purchase Flock Safety cameras to monitor vehicles on neighborhood streets. It’s part of the city’s public safety strategic plan to keep people safe and help eliminate non-violent crime. Read the article…………………………………….
Common Elements Cannot Be “Colonized,” (FL)
Q: Can the board of a condominium association allow unit owners of certain buildings to fence in areas that are defined as common areas per our declaration and plats? Once fenced, the areas would be exclusive to the respective unit owners, and not all buildings. Therefore not all members would be able to use the […]
Condo fire in Maine Township causes estimated $200,000 in damage (IL)
A fire that started and burned itself out inside a condominium unit in unincorporated Maine Township caused an estimated $200,000 in damage last week, a fire official said. Read the article………………………………….
Running a Community Association as a democracy, transition of power without a condo coup (FL)
When purchasing a residence in a condominium, homeowners association or a co-op, you by default agree to reside in a community association. You live in relatively close proximity to your neighbors and equally share the right to utilize common areas, whether it’s a lobby, pool, gym, parking lot and/or clubhouse. Monthly Association dues fund shared […]
Highlands Ranch parents told to take down senior class yard signs (CO)
A number of parents in Highlands Ranch have been told to take down yard signs honoring their high school seniors. Those signs, which read “Highlands Ranch Senior Class of 2021,” were passed out by the school in the fall, as students were in remote learning. Read the article………………………………..
Liberty condo group files lawsuit (OH)
A Liberty condominium group of 41 lot owners within the Kline’s Farm development has sued the community development group, its real estate agency and others, alleging violation of community rules. Read the article……………………………….
Leaks, creaks, breaks: The downside to life in a super-tall condo tower
THE nearly 1,400-foot tower at 432 Park Avenue, briefly the tallest residential building in the world, was the pinnacle of New York’s luxury condo boom half a decade ago, fuelled largely by foreign buyers seeking discretion and big returns. Read the article………………………………………….