A Washington condominium association is taking legal action against Allstate Insurance Co., alleging the insurer breached their coverage agreement by refusing to cover $9.7 million in repairs for “hidden damage” to the buildings’ exteriors. In a complaint filed Tuesday, Sammamish Hills Owners Association claimed the hidden damage to the exterior weather-resistive barrier, sheathing, and framing […]
Appellate judges mostly rule against Hayden Christmas display (WA)
For a former Hayden couple known for hosting massive holiday shows, a recent federal appeals ruling was anything but Christmas in July. In a split decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has mostly ruled on the side of the West Hayden Estates homeowner’s association in its opposition to Jeremy and Kristy Morris’ extravagant […]
Downtown Seattle Condo Unveils First Robot EV Charging System in the PNW (WA)
Spire, a $350 million, 41-story luxury condominium tower completed by Laconia Development, has launched the first robotic EV charging system in a condominium project in the United States. Read the article…………………………….
Homestead judge nixes $93-a-month fee (WA)
The judge in the Lynden-centric Homestead case, at a Whatcom County Superior Court hearing on July 3, voiced the general shape of his decisions regarding the golf residential community that has been embroiled in a lawsuit for more than four years. A two-week trial wrapped up in May. In a key ruling, Judge David Freeman […]
Federal Judge Denies Quanex’s Bid to Dismiss Defective IGU Sealant Lawsuit (WA)
A Washington federal judge rebuffed Quanex’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit claiming it knowingly sold defective insulating glass unit (IGU) components to Viracon. The Fifteen Twenty-One Avenue Condominium Association filed the suit in Washington Federal Court in late December 2023 against Viracon, a subsidiary of Apogee Enterprises Inc., Quanex and the Insulating Glass Certification Council […]
Condominium allowance to head to Leavenworth City Council (WA)
Following a varied public hearing, the Planning Commission moved to approve its proposed code amendments for condominium ownership within the Residential zoning districts during its June 7 meeting. The Planning Commission’s recommendations will ultimately go before City Council for deliberation and a vote. Read the article…………………………….
Camas homeowners association rule dispute heads to Washington Supreme Court
A neighborly dispute is headed to the Washington Supreme Court after a state appellate court decided a homeowners association rule preventing a member’s trees from obstructing others’ views could stand. The issue stems from two homeowners in Camas’ View Ridge Estates, which sits north of state Highway 14 overlooking the Columbia River and Mount Hood. […]
Just the judge: No jury in Homestead trial (WA)
It meant that, continuing Thursday and on into this week, contested issues regarding the north Lynden Homestead golf course and surrounding residential properties are being argued directly to Freeman for summary judgment. It is Freeman’s job to sort out what actions complied with applicable law and what did not. At issue are the monthly maintenance […]
East Vancouver couple prevail over homeowners association on when political signs can go up before election (WA)
Homeowners associations can no longer dictate when residents put up political yard signs thanks to a Vancouver couple’s lawsuit. Under Washington state law, homeowners associations cannot ban people from displaying political yard signs before an election. But the law doesn’t specify how long before. That spurred an argument between Janet and Phil Landesberg and the […]
Homestead lawsuit goes to trial on April 30 (WA)
The plaintiffs’ side alone lists 66 witnesses and 101 exhibits in the multi-sided Homestead case scheduled to come to trial in Whatcom County Superior Court on Tuesday, April 30. Trial may last three weeks. The four-year-old civil lawsuit concerns both the closed Homestead Farms Golf Club of north Lynden and some 600 surrounding properties of […]
Port of Bellingham hit with restraining order after developer Harcourt files countersuit (WA)
Harcourt Developments, the Ireland-based company constructing three multi-million dollar residential condo buildings along Bellingham’s waterfront, has filed a lawsuit against the Port of Bellingham, alleging Port officials have threatened to call police and request trespassing citations be issued if Harcourt did not remove its equipment from Port property. Read the article…………………………….
HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets (WA)
The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement. Many neighborhoods in Liberty Lake were built by Greenstone Corporation, which set up HOA’s for each neighborhood. […]
Marysville homeowners remain stuck behind washed out road as search for solution continues (WA)
Steve Hall, who heads up the homeowners’ association, met with us Monday. He said seven homes and nearly two dozen people are impacted. At that time, Hall said beaver dams burst and clogged the culvert, causing the road to crumble. He said a fix is complex due to layers of land ownership in the area. […]
Point Ruston’s legal battles grow as condo groups seek neutral party to govern site (WA)
Point Ruston’s lawsuits and financial woes now include legal action from condominium associations representing residents at the site. On Jan. 25, five condominium associations representing building residents at Point Ruston filed a petition in Pierce County Superior Court against the Point Ruston Owners Association. Read the article…………………………….
Condo group sues State Farm for water damage 30 years too late: Court (WA)
A Tacoma, Washington, condominium association that sued a State Farm Insurance Co. unit for water damage filed its suit nearly 30 years too late, a federal appeals court ruled Monday, affirming a lower court ruling. Read the article………………………………..
Kennewick adopts new speed hump rules. Half in this neighborhood had to be ripped out (WA)
The Canyon Lakes Property Owners Association went through what they thought was the correct process and were issued a one time permit because city staff didn’t realize there was guidance in the rarely used administrative code. It cost about $75,000 out of the owner association’s own funds. Read the article……………………………
Lacey residents ask city for help with HOA board, accusing it of being ‘out of control’ (WA)
Four residents came before Lacey City Council on Thursday, urging the city to help them with a homeowners’ association board that they accused of being “out of control,” “rogue,” and of “twisting and violating HOA rules to fit their agenda.” Read the article…………………………..
Washington appellate court hears dispute over state yard sign law
Under Washington state law, a homeowner association can’t ban people from displaying political yard signs before an election. But the law doesn’t specify if there’s a time limit on how long before. Read the article………………………………
Lacamas Shores biofilter dispute divides neighbors in Camas (WA)
Earlier this month, a Clark County Superior Court judge ruled that a Camas homeowners’ association violated its covenants by failing to maintain a biofilter, which the complainant argues is polluting Lacamas Lake. Read the article………………………………
Hardship assistance hard to come by for condo owner displaced by fire in Burien (WA)
A fire at a condominium complex in Burien is causing huge financial complications for the owner of one of the units, who has seen her housing costs more than double and still can’t move back into her badly damaged property. Read the article………………………..
Can a Homeowner Association Prohibit Political Yard Signs? (WA)
Every election cycle, homeowners often wonder if it is constitutional for their homeowner association (HOA) to require the removal of a lawn sign supporting a political candidate, especially if they suspect it is due to personal bias from a board member. The answer lies in understanding the First Amendment and the nature of community associations. […]
Homeowners face $32,000 lawsuit from Pierce County over homeless camps on their properties (WA)
Pierce County is suing Golden Oak homeowners for $32,000 as they struggle to clean up homeless encampments on the shaded parts of their property. The group of trees that runs across the backyard of neighbors’ houses has recently become a sanctuary for the homeless who have set up plywood and tent structures in the small […]
Lacamas Shores biofilter dispute divides neighbors in Camas (WA)
Earlier this month, a Clark County Superior Court judge ruled that a Camas homeowners’ association violated its covenants by failing to maintain a biofilter, which the complainant argues is polluting Lacamas Lake. Read the article………………………..
Lakewood residents on edge as 27 car prowls strike local condominiums in a single weekend (WA)
Lakewood residents are on high alert after 27 vehicles were broken into over the weekend. The Lakewood Police Department (LPD) said they were investigating the string of car prowls that took place between July 21 and 22. Read the article………………………..
Two dead after Mountlake Terrace condo fire (WA)
Two women died and other residents were displaced after a Monday night fire at a condominium building in Mountlake Terrace. Read the article………………………..
Car sparks fire at Seascape Condominium garages (WA)
A charging car battery ignited a fire that spread to several garages in the Seascape Condominiums, at 1300 Peace Portal Drive, on June 30. North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) chief Jason Van der Veen said a resident of the Seascape Condominiums was charging the car battery when smoke began pouring out of the garage […]
Three condo units across from Lake Ballinger heavily damaged by fire Monday night (WA)
(Update – 2 found dead) South County Fire crews responded to a fire at Lake Village Condos in Mountlake Terrace Monday night. The blaze heavily damaged three units of a two-story building in the 22700 block of Lakeview Drive, said South County fire spokesperson Shawneri Guzman. It wasn’t immediately known if anyone was inside the […]
‘We are stunned’: Condominium drenched in poisonous fluid amid construction vehicle malfunction (WA)
A group of neighbors are in a messy situation, literally, after part of a construction vehicle malfunctioned Tuesday on a job site, shooting poisonous fluid into the air, sending it raining down across personal property. Read the article………………………..
Two injured in Skyway condo building fire (WA)
A fire at a Skyway condominium complex injured two people and spread to nearby brush, according to the Renton Fire Department. Read the article………………………..
Two-alarm fire at condo in Skyway injures two (WA)
A fire in Skyway at a condo injured two people Monday afternoon, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office. Read the article………………………..
Two Bills Sponsored by State Rep. Joel McEntire Signed Into Law by Gov. Inslee (WA)
House Bill 1043 will streamline rules and regulations in common interest communities. Depending on the type of community and the timeframe it was created, interest communities could be governed by any one of four statutes. Read the article………………………..
Hannah Heights water system highly contaminated (WA)
Hannah Heights Well #2, which provides drinking water to 46 households in the Hannah Heights HOA, was found to have Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) at levels 164 times the State Action Level (SAL) threshold. These levels are the highest numbers found in Washington state, other than one private well. Read the article………………………..
Remembering Shady Acres: the once ‘peaceful,’ affordable community to be covered by Kittitas County Event Center expansion (WA)
Shady Acres was a mobile home community of primarily immigrant families that held 34 homes, 24 owned and 10 rented, according to a census taken by the Shady Acres Homeowners Association (SAHA) in 2016, provided by former Shady Acres resident and daughter of Margarita, Guadalupe Huitron. 66 adults and 59 children resided there at the […]
Bill that would prevent HOA’s from banning child care passes state Senate (WA)
The Washington state Senate passed House Bill 1199 that would stop landlords and homeowner’s associations from placing restrictions on at-home childcare operations on April 6. Read the article………………………..
Washington Senate backs reduction in building requirements for smaller condo projects in bid to lower costs
Condominiums with fewer than 12 units and fewer than three stories would be exempt from certain requirements prior to construction if a bipartisan bill passes in the state Legislature this session. Read the article………………………..
‘We’re sitting ducks’: Lake City residents fed up with condo building burglaries (WA)
Residents in a Lake City building said they are afraid to sleep in their homes at night because of burglars who continually break into their building. Read the article………………………..
Bill aimed to prevent limitations on home daycares passes state House (WA)
The sponsor of HB-1199, Representative Tana Senn, said Washington is in a childcare crisis, with not enough options for families. That is why she was concerned when she spoke to around 90 daycare providers in the state who are either getting fined by their homeowners’ associations or are being threatened with eviction for running daycares […]
Lynnwood townhome fire kills one, displaces dozens (WA)
Today, crews from South County Fire, Everett Fire, Northshore and Shoreline responded to a late morning fatal townhome fire at 6707 196th St SW in Lynnwood that has left one person dead, two injured, and more than 20 residents displaced. Read the article………………………..
Condo HOA Wants Insurer to Pay $11.5M in Hidden Storm Damage Suit (WA)
This Thursday, the Seattle-area condo association filed a lawsuit against Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co. and at least 10 other insurers, accusing them of refusing coverage for approximately $11.5 million in hidden water damage. Read the article………………………..
How technology is helping remove racist language in Washington state property deeds
If you live in a home built before the 1950s, there’s a chance that lurking in its property records is racist language. For decades in the first half of the 20th century, developers, real estate companies and communities inserted covenants into property deeds and neighborhood association bylaws that forbid Black, Asian and Jewish residents from […]
Federal Judge Orders Deposition of Attorney in Insurance Bad Faith Case (WA)
In the case of Water’s Edge Condominium Owners Association v. Affiliated FM Insurance Company, in the U.S. District Court of Seattle Washington, Judge James L. Robart, made a precedent-setting ruling by granting Plaintiff’s 69 Motion to Compel. Read the article………………………..
Red Cross installs more than 60 smoke alarms in Dungeness Meadows (WA)
The effort was “terrific” and “extremely well organized,” said Jane Martin, a volunteer and Dungeness Meadows Homeowners Association board member. “No one could believe it was free,” Pratschner said. Installations were pre-arranged with residents through the Homeowners Association, and volunteers chose Dungeness Meadows — which includes 205 manufactured, mobile and stick-built homes — for the […]
HOMESTEAD LAWSUIT: Scholten father and son willing to run golf course, but not until lawsuit is gone (WA)
But Scholten says he will not be buying if he must deal with a new overall homeowners association for the 600-plus Homestead homeowners surrounding the course as part of the original Planned Residential Development. And for sure, he will not be doing anything as long as there is an active lawsuit hanging overhead — with […]
Olympia woman facing fines over sign inside her home (WA)
An Olympia woman is being threatened with fines over a sign hanging inside her home. Shirley Pavao’s homeowners association called a Black Lives Matter sign a violation of the Lost Lake Resort community policy. However, she said she has become a target of a policy that is not legal. Read the article………………………..
Mount Vernon homeowners push back on plans to turn former golf course into Christian retreat (WA)
The Eaglemont community was built 30 years ago as a public golf club. A total of 277 homes surround the Eaglemont Golf Course, which closed and was resold during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s future sits in a bit of a sand trap. Read the article………………………..
Eaglemont owner won’t pay for what’s needed to reopen golf course (WA)
The new owner of Eaglemont Golf Course has no intention of reopening the course without outside financial support, according to a letter sent to the course’s neighbors and the city of Mount Vernon. Read the article………………………..
Eaglemont residents ask Mount Vernon to weigh in on golf course closure (WA)
Begley said the homeowners association has hired legal representation, and believes that based on the city ordinance that allowed the Eaglemont development to be built, the new owners are required to operate the property as a public golf course. Read the article………………………..
Homestead suit narrows to golf course owner (WA)
The class-action lawsuit of Homestead property owners is narrowed down to only the company owning the Homestead Farms Golf Course as defendant. The City of Lynden and managers on behalf of 18 Paradise LLP have been removed from the legal action. Read the article………………………..
Police: Condo resident arrested after threatening employee with rifle, sword (WA)
A man who police said threatened to kill a condo complex employee with a sword and gun was arrested Wednesday but not until after he held officers in a standoff for more than an hour. Read the article………………………..
Neighbors at The Preserve threatened with annexation and a big bill (WA)
The little-known Hopkins Drainage Ditch District #2 in Thurston County is seeking up to $380,000 from the owners of homes in The Preserve at Tumwater Place. Read the article………………………..