“We started the energy modernization of the house back in 19. At that time, we had the highest tariff in the city. We searched for a long time for ways to save money and came across the wonderful “Energodim” program. Then there was a lot of preparatory work, because at that time there were no […]
The low-maintenance, eco-friendly lawn that will still impress your neighbors
This year, a Tasmanian yard that hadn’t been watered in 10 years and featured a dead brushtail possum won the title of ugliest lawn in the world. The contest, organized by the island of Gotland in Sweden, rewards those who turn over their yards to nature to save water and change the world’s perception of […]
What Can Be Done About Solar Panels? (FL)
If you are living in a Homeowners Association the Board or the Architectural Review Committee generally cannot prohibit the installation of solar panels (or “solar collectors”). A Florida law, F.S. 163.04, provides that any “deed restriction or declaration” or even any “similar binding agreement” may not prohibit — or have the effect of prohibiting — […]
Industry groups applaud new energy codes set by HUD, USDA
The newly adopted code requirements are designed to strengthen efficiency requirements for new houses and multifamily units that are purchased with federally backed loans such as Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and USDA mortgages, along with new homes with funding from other HUD programs. These new homes are primarily occupied by low- and moderate-income homeowners and […]
Residential community will be the first with onsite greywater recycle/reuse system (HI)
After receiving approval from the Hawaii Department of Health and the City and County of Honolulu, Kuilei Place, a new condominium development in Diamond Head, Waikiki and Kaimuki, will be the first of its kind in the state with its own onsite greywater treatment recycle and reuse system. Read the article…………………………….
House passes bill making it easier for condo owners to install solar (CT)
The bill serves as an expansion of the solar rights of members of common interest communities, which include condominiums, community apartments, planned developments, etc. A provision in the State’s Clean Air Act, passed in 2022, already prohibited common interest communities from adopting or enforcing rules that would prohibit community residents from installing solar panels. That […]
New nationwide laws limit power of homeowners associations to dictate residents’ yards — here’s why it’s important
Across the U.S., a growing legislative trend is empowering homeowners to cultivate native plants in their yards, even when homeowners associations forbid it. In 2022, 84% of new, single-family homes belonged to an HOA that sets landscaping rules, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But thanks to new state laws, HOAs in some areas can […]
Bill advances to give condo owners a new way to buy into rooftop solar (HI)
Condo owners may have a new pathway to access benefits from rooftop solar. The Hawai?i Senate is considering a bill to create a Solar Hui Program, allowing multi-family property owners to pay into a collective investment fund that would go towards energy projects and loans. Read the article…………………………….
Harnessing Sustainability: HOA Community Composting and Rainwater Harvesting Programs (CA)
In the global pursuit of sustainability, homeowners associations (HOAs) are taking the lead by adopting innovative practices to make their communities greener. Two key initiatives, community composting, and rainwater harvesting programs, are gaining traction worldwide. These eco-friendly practices not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also foster a sense of community and shared responsibility among […]
City of Chicago Adopts New ‘Cooling Ordinance’: What Do Chicago Community Associations Need to Know? (IL)
On June 22, 2022, the City of Chicago adopted a new ordinance commonly referred to as the “Cooling Ordinance”. The Cooling Ordinance modifies the cooling requirements for certain residential buildings, which does include condominium and community associations as well as residential cooperative high-rises that meet the building criteria discussed below. Read the article…………………………….
HOAs are blocking solar panels and native lawns. Here’s how to fight back.
More Americans than ever are running afoul of their HOAs for updating their homes in ways that benefit the environment, adding solar panels, native lawns, EV chargers, clotheslines or gardens. Once a rarity, 84 percent of newly built, single-family homes sold in 2022 were part of HOAs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Read the […]
Condo Smarts: Inadequate power supply causes brownouts (BC)
Dear Tony: Our 36-unit townhouse complex in the Okanagan has an energy supply problem. Over the past 5 years, six owners have converted their gas furnaces to heat pumps and three owners now have electric vehicles with charging stations, and there are several air conditioners installed. Read the Q&A………………………………..
A Glimmer of Hope for Co-ops and Condos Struggling with LL97 (NY)
A bill giving tax breaks to co-ops and condos in return for energy efficiency upgrades has a strong chance of passing in the State Senate, thanks to support from a majority of New York City Council members. If enacted, the Green Buildings Act would offer a lifeline to apartment buildings struggling to meet Local Law […]
Australia: ‘Money and energy to be saved’: how to get Australia’s bodies corporate to go green
A good first step, according to Megan Chatterton, chief resilience officer for the Owners Corporation Network, is to get an energy efficiency assessment done on your building. This is something the body corporate will have to pay for – although there are grants in some states to offset the costs, and you may end up […]
NYC pols urge Albany to OK tax break for ‘green’ mandate that could cost co-op, condo owners $20K
New York City Council members feeling the heat from thousands of angry co-op and condo owners are urging state pols to OK tax breaks over a new “green” mandate that could cost more than $20,000 per unit. The City Council had actually approved the mandate, the Climate Mobilization Emissions Law, in 2019 requiring residential buildings […]
Homeowner challenges HOA over solar panels (FL)
Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into usable electricity. They have been gaining popularity in recent years as homeowners seek ways to reduce their utility bills, as well as their carbon footprints. A Florida homeowner is reportedly feeling frustrated, however, regarding solar panel installation on a roof. The Homeowners Association where the individual lives […]
Is “Mediated Resolution” a Free Pass for Local Law 97 Deadbeats? (NY)
When it comes to New York City’s landmark climate legislation, Local Law 97, it seems that every push results in a vigorous pushback. For instance, when many building owners, including co-op and condo boards, howled that they could not possibly afford retrofits that would bring their buildings’ carbon emissions in line with the law, the […]
HOA Homefront: New Law Restricting Watering of HOA “Nonfunctional Turf” (CA)
Dear Mr. Richardson: Can you address AB1572 which will have a huge effect financially on our HOA? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Going green in multi-family buildings (IL)
In Forest Park, a condominium development is proving that it’s possible to live green in a multi-family building. The board and residents are working together to back new sustainability measures that they think can be applied to other buildings in the area. Read the article…………………………….
Kansas homeowners urge lawmakers to ban ‘punitive’ rooftop solar restrictions
Alan Bauman would put solar panels on his Prairie Village home if he could. He’d like to benefit from the savings on his energy bill and have more security when his electric utility suffers power outages. But his homeowners association restricts his and neighbors’ ability to install solar power. Read the article…………………………….
City Has a Skeleton Staff to Enforce Compliance With Local Law 97 (NY)
Some 50,000 large New York City buildings, including thousands of co-ops and condos, will be required to comply with the city’s sweeping climate law, Local Law 97, which went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year. And how many inspectors does the Department of Buildings (DOB) have on staff to make sure those buildings […]
Australia: How stratas are derailing unit owners’ bid to lower bills
Unmotivated owners and strata policies are preventing more apartment blocks from moving to renewable energy. ReNewCo founder and CEO Matthew Summerville has recently installed solar to a block of units in Clovelly and said that unit owners have more options than they realise. Read the article…………………………….
Another solar panel fight in west St. Louis County heads to court (MO)
Kean is friends with the trustees on the board — he used to be one — so he asked why he was denied. It wasn’t so much about his proposal, the president of the board allegedly told him, but that the trustees were afraid an approval would set off the “wild west of requests, and […]
HOA stuns community after setting unprecedented standards for landscaping: ‘We have to do this’ (CA)
One homeowners association in Bakersfield, California, broke the mold this year by removing grass lawns and installing “water-wise” landscaping, 23ABC reported. Read the article…………………………..
Embracing Sustainability: The Power of HOA Community Recycling Programs (CA)
In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable practices within their communities. Furthermore, one such initiative gaining momentum is the HOA Community Recycling Program. This comprehensive guide explores HOA recycling programs’ benefits, implementation, and key considerations. Read the article………………………………
For Co-op and Condo Boards, Electrification Looks Better and Better (NY)
A growing number of co-op and condo boards are buying into the gospel of electrification — switching from fossil fuel-powered buildings systems to electric-powered ones as the electric grid gets greener and cleaner. This, they believe, is the best way to cut their buildings’ carbon emissions enough to comply with Local Law 97, which goes […]
How thirsty bluegrass lawns became the default for homeowners associations in Colorado (CO)
Some Colorado HOAs have started moving the needle, while state legislators prod others into water-wise landscapes; plus, a history of how we arrived at a certain idea of landscape perfection. Read the article………………………………..
Aurora HOA’s limits on solar installations “over the top,” residents say (CO)
Dick Cunningham and Walter Rozycki want to do what a lot of other Denver-area homeowners have done: put solar panels on their roofs. But the Aurora residents say their homeowner association board pulled the plug on their plans in defiance of state law. Read the article………………………………
Electrification Is Facing Some Strong Headwinds (NY)
Earlier this week Habitat reported on 420 Beekman Hill, a 110-unit Manhattan co-op that’s replacing the building’s steam heating, cooling and hot water system with rooftop electric heat pumps. The cost of the $3.2 million project is being defrayed by more than $1 million worth of incentives from Con Edison and the New York State […]
Solar panels at center of growing issue between HOAs, homeowners (KS)
Another example of a growing issue between homeowners’ associations and property owners involving solar panels pops up in a northwest Wichita neighborhood. Similar to a situation this summer in the southwest part of town, an HOA said “no” to a homeowner wanting the panels on his home. This will likely become an even bigger issue […]
Condo owner may be restricted with solar panels (NV)
Q: We have recently moved to a condominium community with eight condos per building. I would appreciate any insights you have regarding the use of solar panels on the roof of our building. As I read through the covenants, conditions and restrictions and the condo agreement, I cannot find anything specifically prohibiting or allowing me […]
Michigan Bill Could Stop HOAs from Blocking Home Chargers
Homeowners associations could be prohibited from blocking energy efficiency upgrades – from rooftop solar panels and home EV charging to rain barrels – under a new proposed bill in the Michigan House. Read the article………………………………
Can a Community Association Restrict Solar Panel Installation? (FL)
Solar power is gaining traction as a common source of meeting Floridians’ electricity needs. In most cases, homeowners capture solar energy through the installation of roof mounted solar panels. Though readily accessible to most, solar panels are often unsightly and are a topic of concern and debate in community associations. Read the article……………………………
Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Capitalization Grant Program A Community Association Initiative
Remember the major infrastructure bill passed by Congress in 2021? CAI recently reviewed H.R.3684 the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for programs that may impact community associations. Read the article………………………………………….
HB 5028: Solar Energy Bill And Michigan’s Community Associations
The Homeowners’ Energy Policy Act was recently introduced in the Michigan State Legislature as HB 5028. This bill would force community associations to accept installation of energy-saving devices like clothes lines, heat pumps, insulation, rain barrels, reflective roofing, efficient appliances and windows, electric vehicle charging equipment, etc. Read the article……………………………….
Heat pumps may be the solution to a host of problems, but can your building handle them? (NY)
Heat pumps seem like a logical solution for individual New York City condo and co-op owners who want to regulate their own heat and switch to a more efficient, greener and cheaper energy source that has a new tax credit, so how should a board evaluate an owner or shareholder’s request to install them? Read […]
Red Flags in Green Legislation: SB 558 and HB 5028 may ban Michigan HOA’s from regulating Solar Panels and other Energy Saving Improvements
The Michigan legislature has recently introduced two bills that would limit the ability of condominium and homeowners associations to exercise architectural control authority within their communities related to energy-saving improvements. SB 558 was introduced on October 4, 2023, and it may prohibit certain Michigan community associations from banning solar panels, except in cases where the […]
“Xeriscape Bill” [SB 23-178] (CO)
Have you heard of the recent “Xeriscape Bill” [SB 23-178] that was signed into law at the end of May? This new bill overrides pre-existing HOA guidelines that restricted residents from installing xeriscape, artificial turf, and vegetable gardens in their yards. The intent of the bill is to promote water-wise landscapes. Read the article………………………………..
HOAs Cannot Prohibit Installation of Solar but can Enforce Reasonable Restrictions (CO)
For the past several years, the homeowner association (HOA) space has seen and continues to see many changes in regulation, including legislation around renewable energy options. Various states have taken a more proactive stance on the installation of solar panels, explicitly targeting HOAs that enforce restrictions on these devices. Read the article……………………………….
HOAs could not block rooftop solar, home EV charging – even clothes lines – under new bill (MI)
Homeowners associations could be prohibited from blocking a litany of energy efficiency upgrades – from rooftop solar panels and home EV charging to clotheslines and rain barrels – under a new proposed bill in the Michigan House. Read the article…………………………
Green Renovation For Condos: Canadian Trends And Innovations
As the world becomes more “green,” Canadians are staying on top of the trends in housing to make their condos as energy-efficient as possible. This goes especially for condos, where builders are able to create systems that affect multiple owners simultaneously. Read the article…………………………….
Denver Green Roofing Initiative and the Progression of Energy Efficient Roofing Systems
With the continued growth and modernization of urban areas comes the human response to energy efficiency and health. Surprisingly, roofing systems can play a large factor in this response. Energy efficiency in regard to roofing is not a new idea; however, it only truly began to gain traction in the United States in the early […]
HOAs Cannot Prohibit Installation of Solar but can Enforce Reasonable Restrictions (CO)
For the past several years, the homeowner association (HOA) space has seen and continues to see many changes in regulation, including legislation around renewable energy options. Various states have taken a more proactive stance on the installation of solar panels, explicitly targeting HOAs that enforce restrictions on these devices Read the article………………………..
Co-op and Condo Green Retrofits Are Good for the Environment — and the Economy (NY)
All those workers installing solar panels on New York City co-ops and condos, or replacing steam radiators with electric heat pumps, or performing other clean-energy retrofits are not only helping the environment. They’re helping the economy. Read the article………………………..
14 practical steps to make your HOA more climate-friendly (and save money in the process)
An estimated 74 million people in the U.S. live in areas governed by a homeowners association (HOA)—and many of them are frustrated about HOA restrictions that prevent them from saving money and helping the planet. Read the article………………………..
Can Anything Be Done About Solar Panels? (FL)
If you are living in a homeowners association you probably know that the Association cannot prohibit the installation of solar panels (or “solar collectors”). But what about a request to install such devices on the roof of a condominium? Read the article………………………..
Simple Ways Co-ops, Condos, & HOAs Can Help the Environment
Nobel Prize–eschewing poet and folk-rock music legend Bob Dylan might have been the first person to be known as “going electric” (at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965), but as with much of his oeuvre, the world is now following in his footsteps. Now it is imperative that as many people, industries, businesses, and buildings […]
Can our Association Restrict or Prohibit Solar Panels? (MN)
Until very recently, the answer to this question was a resounding “YES”. However, legislation that was recently passed in Minnesota will change the way that some associations look at solar panels and solar energy. This change to Minnesota Statutes was intended to promote the use of solar energy as well as provide homeowners with the […]
The law is on your side if your HOA demands green grass during drought (TX)
If you’re receiving letters from your HOA complaining about the current state of your yard, take a deep breath, the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) says the law is on your side. Read the article………………………..
Changes to Minnesota HOA law lets more switch to solar
After a busy legislative session, there is good news for Minnesota homeowners that want to choose solar energy. One of the highly anticipated laws that passed now mandates that HOAs in Minnesota cannot block a property from installing solar panels on the roof. This change took effect on July 1, 2023. Read the article………………………..