A fire at a condominium in Bashford Manor Wednesday morning is under investigation. The fire started sometime before 6 a.m. at a two-story condo in the 1900 block of Goldsmith Lane. Officials said the fire started on the first floor, but the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Arson investigators will continue […]
Stillwater: Chlorine leak forces evacuation of condo complex (MN)
A chlorine leak at condominium complex in downtown Stillwater on Tuesday morning forced a mass evacuation of the building. Read the article……………………………….
Shell Beach residents say they ‘dodged a bullet’ from mudslides caused by recent storm (CA)
Gary Cannet, who is also a board member for one of the Shell Beach homeowners’ associations, says they charged a special assessment of $1,000 for mudslide mitigation and cleanup. Jorge Garcia, Management Services Director for the City of Pismo Beach, says city public works crews initially responded to the mudslide to provide support, but now […]
Property Owners Association board considers septic issues (AR)
A policy that was discussed last month could be used for new construction on the far west side. The owner of two small lots asked permission to traverse common property with a line to reach a septic field on his second lot. The owner had already attempted to purchase a third lot that would accommodate […]
Homeowner’s Association Puts Eden Prairie Residents On Hook For Thousands After Hail Damage (MN)
A group of neighbors in Eden Prairie are afraid of losing their homes to exorbitant association fees. The homeowner’s association for the Hennepin Village Community assessed every resident somewhere from $9,000 to $14,000 for roof damage repairs after a hailstorm in August. Read the article…………………………………….
2021 Homeowners Association Complaint Report Released (SC)
he South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is releasing the third Homeowners Association (HOA) Complaint Report. The 2021 Report is a compilation of data from complaints received January 2020 through December 31, 2020. Some of the highlights include: Read the article………………………………..
Police Cruisers May Park In Neighborhood (FL)
Q: My homeowners’ association has a rule that prohibits commercial vehicles from being parked in the driveways. A question came up as to whether this rule would apply to a police cruiser that is driven by one of our owners who is a law enforcement officer. Read the Q&A………………………………
Condo fire in Port Hueneme displaces 10 (CA)
A condominium fire in Port Hueneme displaced 10 residents Sunday, officials said. Initial reports from the scene indicated there were flames through the roof of one of the two-story units. The incident sent a column of dark smoke into the sky above the residential area. County crews responded along with Oxnard and federal firefighters. Read the […]
When a board can rule on an issue without owners’ approval (IL)
Q: I am a portfolio property manager and I have managed many condominium and common interest community associations over the years. One issue in particular seems to come up over and over again regarding leasing and pets. Under what circumstances must a declaration of condominium/covenants be amended with owner approval versus when can the board […]
NFD: 1 killed in condominium fire in Hermitage (TN)
One person died in a fire at a condominium complex in Hermitage, according to Nashville Fire Department officials. It happened Saturday morning around 1 a.m. at the Fox Run Condominiums. Read the article……………………………………..
Ways to limit lengthy debates at meetings (FL)
Q: Our community has a small group of owners that try to bully the board at meetings and take control of the meeting. As a result, we end up emailing each other a lot leading up to meetings to strategize and minimize debate at the meeting itself. Any other suggestions? Read the Q&A……………………………………….
Woman seriously injured in Aspen Hill fire (MD)
A fire seriously injured a woman in an Aspen Hill condominium building Friday, according to a Montgomery County Fire & Rescue official. Pete Piringer, a Fire & Rescue spokesman, posted on Twitter Friday that a fire occurred in a kitchen on the first floor of a building in the Aspen Green condominium complex on Hewitt […]
HOA community gate damaged car (NV)
Q: I always look forward to your important discussions of questions from homeowners association members. I have lived in (a group of) town homes (with) 117 units in Henderson. (It) has a gate with a sign reading: “Association not responsible for damage by gate to vehicle.” Read the Q&A…………………………………..
Clermont HOA Spending Millions to Rehab Legends Golf Course (FL)
Homeowners in a Clermont community are excited to see better views from their back yards, and are hopeful that could translate into increased property values. The Legends Golf course closed in 2018, but now is scheduled to reopen later this year. Read the article………………………………..
HOA Homefront: Readers ask about expired CCRs and a missing name (CA)
Q: Do you have any information regarding the expiration of CC&Rs? I’ve heard it’s 20 years from the time of the recorded filing of the CC&Rs. My subdivision development of homes has no common areas but does have an HOA. The CC&Rs don’t show up in the San Mateo county recorder system. I need to […]
Fishers HOA, residents and developer partner to save Gray Eagle Golf Course (IN)
The proposal is the culmination of several years of work by the Gray Eagle HOA to keep the Gray Eagle Course open. In September 2018, the Gray Eagle Golf Course owner’s group announced its intent to close the driving range, which many residents didn’t want to see happen. Read the article…………………………………..
Tampa condo complex sues 78-year-old woman accused of feeding stray cats (FL)
Disputes between condominium associations and the people who live there are nothing new. But here’s a notable one for a Hillsborough County judge to decide: Should an elderly resident be ordered to stop feeding stray cats — an act the condo association has deemed both a nuisance and an annoyance to her neighbors? Read the […]
The standoff: Bills Mafia Girl, a Texas HOA and a yard with signs
Alyssa O’Reilly is a diehard Bills fans from a small town in Texas. Her homeowners association isn’t quite sure what to make of all those signs in her yard. She picks up the story from there: Read the article…………………………….
Condo World: Association rental programs can be restrictive (NH)
Most of the columns that I have written over the past six years have been relevant to most condominium associations, such as the problems with ice dams, how to hire contractors, how to handle noise complaints and the powers and authorities of boards of directors. This is not one of those columns. Read the article……………………………..
Muscovy Ducks Are Protected in Parts of Texas. A Houston Subdivision Is Debating Their Slaughter (TX)
The neighborhood is also home to about 150 Muscovy ducks like Pip. Most of the ducks live in a sprawling man-made pond at the heart of the subdivision that is maintained by Harris County’s Municipal Utility District (known as MUD). Thanks to a warm climate, an abundant supply of insects and fish, and an absence […]
Condo questions: What constitutes a conflict of interest regarding an HOA board member? (FL)
Q: What constitutes a conflict of interest regarding an HOA board member? I have issues with our landscape contractor not performing according to his contract. I’ve brought this to the attention of the president of our board on more than one occasion. Read the Q&A……………………………………..
Early morning fire damages condo in Idaho Falls (ID)
Idaho Falls Fire Department spokeswoman Kerry Hammon said two people were outside the condos when they saw smoke coming from the second floor and called 911. An adult inside the home got out on his own safely. “One of the other neighbors reported the condominium quickly became fully engulfed in flames,” according to an Idaho […]
Neighborhoods routinely ban small home child cares despite demand (WY)
The larger issue is that Homeowners Associations, HOAs, consider child care to be a commercial activity, and commercial activity is forbidden within most communities governed by an HOA per their Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Read the article………………………………
When The Wilderness Meets The Urban, Homeowners And Neighbors Are On Their Own Against Wildfires (CO)
Climate change likely means more and bigger fires. And as more people live in risky areas, wildfire mitigation becomes more critical. For the most part, it’s up to residents to do the work to protect their homes. Individuals can do a lot, but if a neighbor hasn’t cleared dead material, kept the lawn green, and […]
Cary families say HOA unfairly targeting Trump flags with new rules (NC)
Two families say the homeowners association for their Cary neighborhood is playing politics by banning political flags. Laurie Cherico said her family started flying a flag in September supporting former President Donald Trump’s stances on law and order and the Second Amendment. They received some opposition from the Carolina Preserve HOA, but it faded away. […]
‘I just want my mail’ – Dothan homeowners caught in Postal Service, developer dispute (AL)
Anew local subdivision area has a pool, a homeowner’s association, and convenient access to medical facilities, shops, and restaurants — but it does not have mail service. New homeowners in the Dothan Charleston Mills subdivision are caught in the middle of the dispute between the U.S. Postal Service and Stone Martin Builders, the developers behind […]
Trump Plaza in Florida: Condo board votes to dump Trump name after Capitol siege (FL)
The Trump name has been dumped from a signature West Palm Beach condominium in the wake of the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol. Last week, the board of the Trump Plaza condominium voted unanimously to change the legal name of the twin-tower complex. As a result, former President Donald Trump no longer will […]
Alligator Signs Questioned (FL)
Q: Are “beware of alligator” signs legally required in Florida? Read the Q&A…………………………………
ODNR files civil suit relating to Knox Cattle Company Dam (OH)
The suit names The Landings Property Association Inc., Mullins Bros Ltd., Delano Asset Management LLC, Crown Hill Condominiums at Mount Vernon Unit-Owners Association, the City of Mount Vernon, and 10 homeowners who reside or formerly resided on Mallard Pointe as defendants. Read the article………………………………..
Fire displaces 20 at troubled South Fulton condo community (GA)
Nearly two dozen people were displaced over the weekend after a fire broke out at a troubled condominium community in South Fulton. Ten units at the Camelot Condominiums off Old National Highway were impacted by Sunday’s blaze, according to the American Red Cross. The fire is the second major blaze families at the condominium community […]
Alert Neighbors Credited For Quick Response At Condo Fire (CO)
Ten people were forced out of their homes early Sunday morning after a fire erupted at the Sandstone 70 condominiums in Vail. Firefighters say they arrived to find the upper unit of a fourplex in flames. Read the article………………………………..
Water bill on Hampden townhouse project, up to $200,000, disputed by developer proposing Westport project (MD)
The water bill for a new townhouse community in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood has gone unpaid for years and reached nearly $200,000. Residents of Hampden Square say they’ve tried unsuccessfully to pay their fair share of a bill that’s remained in the land developer’s name. Read the article……………………………………
Fire crews responding to large condo fire in East Haven (CT)
Fire crews are on the way to a large fire reported at a condo complex at 75 Redwood Drive in East Haven Sunday, an eyewitness told News 8 Sunday. According to footage sent to News 8 from an eye witness, the first and second floors in part of the condo are engulfed in flames. Read […]
‘Sick and tired’ – No heat or hot water for 1 year at Soundview condo, tenant says (NY)
Bloom Cambry, a tenant at Leland Garden Condos in Soundview, says she has had to bundle up in her own home for almost a year now. The city’s Department of Buildings told News 12 the saga began with a gas leak at building on Story Avenue in Feb. 2020. The complex owners and their licensed […]
Violations that pre-date covenant or rule may be grandfathered (FL)
We have a small homeowner’s association with 27 homes. Our deed restrictions have been renewed and are valid. They provide for the following: Read the Q&A…………………………
Sinkhole in Pasco County costing taxpayers $300 a day until it’s fixed (FL)
Property owners responsible for making repairs to the sinkhole are Trinity Varsity Club, a sports bar and restaurant, the Spring Haven Condominium Association, and Gator Crossings at Trinity. Read the article………………………………..
Law supersedes declaration for insurance purposes (IL)
Q: A water leak from a pipe in a unit damaged many units and the common elements in our condominium building. The insurance carrier has indicated that its coverage responsibility is limited by the antiquated language in our declaration of condominium. The board of directors of the association understands that language in the Illinois Condominium […]
HOA says garage cannot be used as gym (NV)
Q: My buyer would like to store and use his gym equipment in the garage to work out. While we are still in due diligence, he contacted the homeowners association to ask about this, and they said, no, he cannot do this and only garage stuff or a car can be stored in the garage. […]
Luxurious Deerwood home used as brothel, Jacksonville police say (FL)
It’s a luxury home in a gated country club complete with a sparkling pool and nestled between million-dollar properties that back up to a golf course. But according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, this glamourous home in Deerwood Country Club was being used as a brothel. Read the article…………………………………
Neighbors attempt to block affordable housing project on Battles Road (CA)
Attempts by neighboring homeowners to halt an affordable housing project on West Battles Road were rejected by the Santa Maria City Council in a split vote Tuesday night. A permit for the 160-unit Centennial Gardens project was approved by the Planning Commission in November and then appealed to the City Council by Pacific Crest Estates […]
100 Residents Displaced By Fire in Harvard Square Condo (MA)
Roughly 100 Cambridge residents fled their homes last week, forced out by a fire originating on the third floor of a condominium in Harvard Square that spread throughout the building. Read the article……………………………………….
Some residents of Jacksonville townhomes concerned over 5G tower (FL)
Neighbors tell News4Jax they’re upset about a 5G cellphone tower that’s being installed outside the Parks at the Cathedral townhomes in Downtown Jacksonville. Some said they feel the tower could be a hazard to their health and that it could make their property value suffer. Read the article…………………………………..
Tomoka Oaks Golf Club to be sold (FL)
The Tomoka Oaks community could soon gain new neighbors, as a sale of the golf course property is pending. In a November 2020 newsletter by the Tomoka Oaks Homeowners Association, residents were informed that a small group of local investors were in negotiations to purchase the property, which last sold in 2011 for $1.5 million. […]
BYU professor wants to change racist wording in neighborhood housing documents (UT)
As a professor of family history at BYU, Amy Harris studies a lot of old documents. But when she bought her Midvale house in 2010, her title company dug up an old document she wasn’t expecting: a neighborhood covenant excluding any residents who weren’t “Caucasian.” Read the article………………………………..
For homeowners associations and condo boards, the show must go online
The coronavirus pandemic has caused everyone to reexamine the way they live. We were forced to find new ways to work and socialize that we could not have imagined before 2020. People working and serving as volunteers in community associations face these same challenges. In many instances, they have been forced to find ways to […]
Some Boynton Beach residents upset at alleged ongoing unauthorized construction (FL)
Hundreds of people in the Valencia Reserve neighborhood in Boynton Beach are upset at what they say is the unauthorized construction of a nearly half-mile lake and other structures in their agricultural preserve, which they say will lead to flooding, loud noise, and lower property values. Read the article……………………………….
Irked S. Tempe equestrian-property owners tell city: Tear down this wall (AZ)
Tempe officials have said it is not a city matter but a private-property issue, and therefore the city has no jurisdiction. “City staff has looked into the issue and we have found no indication that the particular bridle path in the Shady Lanes Estates neighborhood is recorded as a public easement,” Baumann said. “We have […]
Officials tee up plan to save Gray Eagle golf course in Fishers (IN)
A Fishers golf course on the cusp of closing a few years ago has new life, thanks to a development agreement that will allow the owner to make improvements to the links. Residents at Gray Eagle said owner RN Thompson is backing a plan to build a living community for people 55 years and older […]
Statute of Limitations Can Prevent Enforcement (FL)
Q: Our community was built in 1982. Many homeowners have had screen patios for 38 years. The board now wants the screens removed and if a homeowner does not remove it, the board will, and it will send the bill. Can an HOA do this now after 38 years? Read the Q&A……………………………..
Lawsuit Alleges Developer of N.J.’s Tallest Building is Defrauding Condo Purchasers (NJ)
The company behind one of the highest-profile projects in the history of the Garden State is being taken to court over misrepresentations they supposedly made in marketing their building along with a slew of alleged defects and problems that have purportedly gone unaddressed at the property. Read the article………………………………….