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………………………………………….
Real estate agent can serve on the board (IL)
Q: A real estate agent serves on our condominium association board. This real estate agent lists many units in the building, serving as an agent for unit owners in the association. Does this board member have a conflict of interest that would prevent him from serving on the board? Read the Q&A………………………………..
2 men arrested after shots fired from roof of Boca Raton condominium (FL)
A suspect in the case, Ryan Mullen, 23, of Boca Raton, told police Friday he had grabbed his father’s Glock 19 handgun from a closet, kicked in a door, went to the roof and fired multiple shots in the air Read the article………………………………….
Additional lawsuit emerges alleging fraud in Windsor condo development (CO)
A third lawsuit was filed this week against the developers of the Grasslands Park complex in Windsor, alleging that the developers had taken funds from the project to pay off personal loans and purchase a home. Read the article………………………………..
Condo director’s term limits and other qualifications for the board (FL)
Back in 2018, a bill passed the Florida Legislature that said: “A board member may not serve more than 8 consecutive years unless approved by an affirmative vote of unit owners representing two-thirds of all votes cast in the election or unless there are not enough eligible candidates to fill the vacancies on the board […]
Sandstone Ridge HOA in Berea commits to installing missing subdivision streetlights (OH)
Ward 2 Councilman Chris McManis read aloud an email at the Feb. 1 City Council meeting that indicates that the homeowners’ association — and not the city — will pay for streetlights never installed on two streets in the Sandstone Ridge subdivision. Read the article……………………………..
HOA Homefront: Readers ask when can we attend meetings? Can we vote? (CA)
Q: I am on the Architectural Review Committee for our association. Recently homeowners have asked to attend the meetings. What are the guidelines for homeowner attendance at these meetings? We have said they can sit and observe without comment. Some homeowners have attended strictly to attack the members for what they perceive as a slight […]
Somerset Green residents want privacy fence (DE)
Who knew a fence could be so complicated? Residents of Somerset Green, a 53-unit town home community along Shady Road and Plantation Road near Lewes, say a promised privacy fence has not been built. Read the article…………………………..
Sandestin resident seeking court judgment on flooding and Walton stormwater retention (FL)
Additionally, Osborne’s request asks for a determination of whether the county has illegally or improperly allowed “substantial deviations” from the planned-unit development (PUD) standards set locally for Sandestin. Read the article………………………….
North Carolina mom frustrated after neighborhood HOA demands removal of 11-year-old’s basketball hoop
A North Carolina mom says her neighborhood Homeowner’s Association has ordered that she take down her son’s beloved basketball hoop. Lindsey Van Winkle says this is the last thing a parent wants to worry about during this time. She says it’s frustrating and that her son just wants to play safely at his own home. […]
Private lakefront association in Lake Zurich amends deal with village for policing services (IL)
The deal comes at the request of the Lake Property Owners’ Association. While the center of the lake is owned by the Lions Club, the LPOA has been responsible for the private lake’s rules enforcement since the 1980s, officials explained Read the article……………………………….
FOX 13 Investigates: Newly-constructed home buyers find Utah gives them few options to fix defects (UT)
Utah has been one of the fastest-growing states for years. In 2019, municipalities approved permits for 18,000 new single-family homes. Buyers like David who find problems with the new construction learn “the cards are stacked against the homeowner,” says John Morris, an attorney who has represented Utah homeowners. Read the article………………………………..
Community association on Florida’s uber-wealthy Fisher Island slapped with $11M class-action suit (FL)
One of the main homeowners associations on Florida’s prestigious Fisher Island – said to be the wealthiest ZIP code in the country – was slapped with an $11 million class-action lawsuit for allegedly allowing homeowners of combined units to pay the same property assessments as those with uncombined lots, recent court papers allege. Read the […]
Condo questions: With needed repairs, is a special assessment required? (FL)
Q: Our condominium association (I am on the board) already included a line item in this year’s annual budget for a new roof for one of the condominium buildings. However, the roof is in desperate need of replacement and we want to have it replaced immediately. Read the Q&A………………………………….
Horry County leads the state for HOA complaints in 2020 (SC)
A report released by the South Carolina Dept. of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) on Monday shows that more than 33% of the complaints filed against Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) in 2020 came from Horry County. Read the article……………………………..
Officials investigating condo fire in Bashford Manor (KY)
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 […]