Disaster Planning & Management for Condominium & Homeowner Associations

How to Save on Emergency Supplies – Disaster Prep on a Budget

• The Importance of Professional HOA Contracts (GA)
  Community associations cannot accomplish all the tasks they are responsible for without getting outside professionals to help maintain and service their assets. With every agreement to provide a service or to supply materials comes HOA contracts.   Read the article…………………………….
• Condo owners in costly fight vs. developer (IA)
  The five women estimate it has cost $50,000 so far to sue to try to gain control of their condo association, and here’s the kicker: They are also paying the attorney’s fees of their adversary as their case winds its way to Iowa’s Supreme Court.  Read the article…………………………….
• What’s next for condominium insurance? Current realities and what condo boards can plan for (ON)
  In recent years, we navigated a challenging insurance environment known as a “hard market”. This term describes a period when multiple factors make it more challenging to secure and maintain suitable insurance coverage. In essence, the insurance companies were paying out more in claims than they were collecting in premiums.    Read the article…………………………….
• Rising insurance costs push aspiring condo buyers into a tough spot (HI)
  Housing affordability is getting squeezed by a new pressure — the cost of insurance.  At a recent residential real estate roundtable held by Pacific Business News, industry leaders expressed concerns that soaring insurance costs are pushing home ownership further out of reach for many.  The condo market is getting hit especially hard.   Read the article…………………………….
• Bill Seeks to Raise Emission Caps, Delay Penalties for Garden Co-ops and Condos (NY)
  City Councilmember Linda Lee, a Queens Democrat, has introduced a new bill that updates an old idea. The bill, known as Intro 0772, seeks to delay penalties and increase carbon emission caps for thousands of buildings that must comply with Local Law 97.   Read the article…………………………….
• Insurance fees skyrocket at Williams Lake’s Terra Ridge (BC)
  Insurance for the Terra Ridge strata in Williams Lake has increased by almost four times since the city issued a state of local emergency for the neighbourhood due to a slow-moving slide  “The average unit here is having to pay $5,000 a year up from about $1,300,” said Brad Follack, chair of the strata council. ...
• Disaster assistance for privately owned roads and bridges (ME)
  For Mainers who live in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington or York counties and had a privately owned road or bridge damaged or destroyed by the severe storms and flooding that took place January 9-13, FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration may provide financial assistance for replacement or repairs.   Read the article…………………………….
• HOA Homefront: Officers, who does what? (CA)
  Kelly,  I am a sitting board member for our HOA and we are coming up next week with our annual board election and a possible change of president (which is badly needed). As of right now, we have only three board members present out of five due to one moving away and another just resigned.  ...
• Australia: Isn’t it funny … how everyone is strata splaining managers?
  Since the 2024 Strata Insurance Crisis broke 4 weeks ago strata managers are getting a lot of attention at the moment and that’s fine.  But it seems to have prompted a lot of strata experts, pundits, activists, ambulance chasers, vested interests, opportunists and boffins out of the woodwork with their 20% to ...
• Singapore: Bukit Timah condo ‘under attack’ by monkeys that enter homes and leave trail of destruction
  Residents of Pine Grove condominium in Bukit Timah have been dealing with unwelcome visits by uninvited visitors.  Stomper Sook Hui shared with Stomp that monkeys have been entering apartments and leaving a trail of destruction.  “Pine Grove is under attack by monkeys again,” she said.    Read the article…………………………….
• HOA residents who couldn’t get mail after box fell over (FL)
  Rachel Sykes says she could see it coming. Her HOA neighborhood mailbox was rusty and then it fell over in early March.  She reported the issue to the post office, but getting a new mailbox has not been easy.  After a month of complaining, they did take away the old box but left no box ...
• 4,800 Claims Handled by Unlicensed Adjusters in Florida After Irma, Lawsuit Says
  In one of the suits, brought by a Miami condominium association, the plaintiffs produced records they said showed that after Hurricane Irma, almost 4,800 claims for Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. were handled by unlicensed adjusters. Of almost 35,000 Heritage claims after Irma and Hurricane Michael, in 2017 and 2018, some 14% were handled ...
• Firefighters rescue person from balcony of burning condo building in downtown Edmonton (AB)
  Fire crews rescued a person from a balcony of a burning apartment building in downtown Edmonton on Thursday afternoon.  A person on the balcony could be seen screaming for help before fire crews were able to rescue the person using a ladder truck.   Read the article…………………………….
• Ocean City Condo Complex Remains Closed for Safety Repairs (MD)
  An Ocean City condominium complex that was shut down last week by the city’s construction official amid safety concerns will remain closed until structural repairs are made.  For now, red tags have been slapped on the Seaspray condos at 34th Street and Bay Avenue declaring that the buildings are currently “unsafe for human occupancy.”   Read ...
• Houston homeowners told remove utility box or pay fine (TX)
  A grandmother worried about paying daily HOA fines calls KPRC 2 to help resolve issues with a utility box in front of her home.  The box is a utility hub for several condominiums around her. Because of this, Bernadette Stinson said it’s filled to the brim.  “The lines are pushing the box up,” Stinson said. ...
• House Bill 1029: My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program
  This act intends to provide condominium associations with a program similar to the My Safe Florida Home Program by establishing what is known as the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot (MSFCP) Program. Eligible condominiums can now apply for mitigation grants to help harden their buildings in an effort to mitigate hurricane damage.   Read the article…………………………….
• FTC’s Final Rule: Understanding the Ban on Non-Compete Clauses
  On April 23, 2024, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its final rule on non-competition clauses, voting 3-2 to adopt the final regulations, known as the “Non-Compete Clause Rule.” This rule marks a significant milestone, establishing a comprehensive ban on non-compete agreements. The decision comes fifteen months after the FTC released its proposed ...
• Fixing Your HOA’s Governing Documents
  Governing documents are often overlooked until an issue spotlights deficiencies. When this occurs, it’s often too late to amend the governing documents to correct the deficiency. HOAs should periodically review their governing documents to identify areas which may warrant an amendment. This is especially true for communities with older governing documents.    Read the article…………………………….
• Two people hospitalized after 2-alarm blaze at Brookfield condo complex (CT)
  The fire appeared to have consumed a large number of units in at least one of the buildings.  “There are numerous agencies working in the area. Please use caution,” the post said.
• 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 ...
• ‘Everyone is selling’: Florida condo owners feel crush of rising insurance costs
  The rising cost of home insurance for one Palm Beach County condo is a story that seems to playing out at condos all across Florida.  “It’s shocking to watch in a few years to go from under $100,000 to pushing a half a million,” Christina Auer said. “It’s out of line.”  Insurance experts tell WPTV ...
• FinCen Confirms CTA Applies to Associations
  Although many concluded that the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) applies to homeowners associations, we now have verification of this. On April 18, 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCen”) issued 16 new FAQs and updated two more. Under Category C, question C.10 of the FAQs, a Q&A was added confirming that CTA requirements apply to ...
• Effective Committees: Maximizing Use of Community Volunteers (NJ)
  In a typical co-op, condo, or homeowners association, residents have a lot to say about how their building or community is or should be functioning … but few actually step up to run for and serve on the board that does the actual governing. One reason is that board service can be a heavy lift, ...
• Waterproofing Your Building Envelope Protecting Structure & Health (NJ)
  With severe weather events becoming ever more common—and more intense—waterproofing your building’s envelope against rain, wind, snow, and ice is a growing concern. To counter the effects of climate change on buildings both old and new, our main focus must be on maintaining the integrity of the structural envelope. Proper, proactive exterior maintenance saves money ...
• The FTC Announces Non-Compete Ban: A Seismic Shift for Worker Mobility with Legal Challenges (MN)
  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) creates uncertainty in the U.S. labor market with its recent announcement of a near-blanket ban on non-compete agreements. This bold move, intended to increase worker mobility and competition. The new rule is set to take effect in approximately 120 days, or around August 20, 2024. However, the FTC is expected ...
• an a Homeowner’s Association that Allows the Violation of a Restrictive Covenant be Liable in Tort? (FL)
  The issue of whether a homeowner’s association that permits a violation of its restrictive covenants is liable in damages in tort was addressed by the Fourth District Court of Appeals in the recent case of Seminole Lakes HOA, Inc. v. Esnard, Case No 4D18-15 (Florida 4th DCA Dec. 19, 2018). In this case, the Association ...
• Colorado Senate to consider bill to further regulate towing industry
  Small business owners, apartment owners, and homeowners’ association representatives are raising concerns that the bill’s intent to require property owners to pay for most tows will result in “towing anarchy” and could drive up the costs of affordable and low-income housing.  The issue caught fire last summer when Gonzales found her car had been towed, ...
• Homeowners look to protect families, pets from coyotes — if HOAs allow it (NV)
  Dangerous encounters with coyotes across the Las Vegas valley have caught the attention of many concerned about the safety of their families and pets.  Some residents of the Green Valley community in Henderson have called the neighborhood a “haven for coyotes.” Others admit to being concerned that the animals roam the area. A local company, ...
• Understanding Landscaping Architectural Requirements for Co-owners
  When it comes to maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of shared properties, understanding the landscaping architectural requirements is crucial for co-owners. Whether you are part of a homeowners association (HOA), a condominium association, or any other type of residential community, staying informed about these regulations can help you avoid legal pitfalls and ensure your ...
• Some want homeowners associations to ban short-term rentals like Airbnb after massive weekend party (NE)
  Over the weekend, a party at an Airbnb in Sarpy County near 189th and Briar, with nearly 200 people, lead to a massive law enforcement response.  The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office says they found five guns and marijuana. There was a “help an officer” call and one law enforcement officer had a struggle with one ...
• The intricacies of EV infrastructure remain at odds with condo legislation (ON)
  The electric vehicle landscape is complex, ever-changing and at the cutting edge of technology. For condominium corporations and their owners, this means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.  Unfortunately, the current iteration of the condominium legislation in Ontario, the Condominium Act, 1998, treats the installation of electric vehicle charging stations or electric infrastructure to support ...
• The FTC Issues a Final Rule Banning Noncompetes in Employment (TX)
  On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a final rule making most non-compete clauses unenforceable. Employers who require their employees to sign agreements with confidentiality, non-compete, and non-solicitation clauses should take note of the new rule and its potential implications for their organizations going forward.   Read the article…………………………….
• Condo manager has licence revoked over cryptocurrency buy (ON)
  A property manager who transferred $500,000 in condominium reserve funds to an alleged cryptocurrency investment company known as Pink Piggy (NOTE: This article is behind a subscriber paywall. I will try to find another article ASAP, but here is the original link to the Globe and Mail:  Read the article…………………………….)
• Condo Smarts: How Strata Property Act applies to small strata corporations (BC)
  Q: We recently moved into a coach house that is part of a new three-unit strata corporation in Vancouver. We have always lived in larger strata buildings that have operated smoothly, but we can already see a few rough roads ahead. The owner of the largest unit has decided we will be casual in operations ...
• Foreclosure Bill Passed House, Now in Senate—Potential Impacts on Your HOA (SC)
  As recently reported in previous articles, the South Carolina Legislature is considering a bill that impacts the ability of community associations to collect assessments from non-paying members of their communities. As originally drafted, the bill would have eliminated a community association’s ability to foreclose.  Read the article…………………………….
• Neighbors concerned over giant hole in Richland County neighborhood (SC)
  Neighbors in one Richland County neighborhood are banding together to try and fix a water drainage problem that has caused a massive hole in one woman’s backyard.  The large hole is in the Cameron Ridge Subdivision right off Caughman Road.  Robin Odems and her neighbors tell WIS News 10 the hole in her backyard has ...
• FTC Votes to bar Most Noncompetition Agreements, But Don’t Throw Out Your Noncompete Yet!
  The Federal Trade Commission (often referred to as the “FTC”) voted today to bar non-competition agreements or “noncompetes,” both retroactively (for all but top corporate officials and senior executives holding a policy-making position and making not less than $151,164 annually) and in the future.   Read the article…………………………….
• Reduced Quorum for Elections (CA)
  QUESTION. If our 50% quorum is not achieved, is there a requirement that another vote take place but with a 20% quorum requirement? If so, how quickly does this need to take place?   Read the Q&A………………………………..
• Florida’s Home Insurance Industry May Be Worse Than Anyone Realizes
  Seven property insurers in Florida went bankrupt in 2021 and 2022. The bankruptcies left thousands of homeowners scrambling to get new coverage, which often came with a big increase in cost. Worse, many had outstanding claims for hurricane damage that had not been addressed.   Read the article…………………………….
• Months after partial ceiling collapse, Tamarac condo residents desperate for repairs (FL)
  Some residents are living in a construction zone, months after rain and a beehive caused a partial ceiling collapse at the Bermuda Club Condominiums in Tamarac.  The 55+ older condo community shows signs of little to no work done in a couple of units impacted by February’s rain when a drain blocked by a beehive ...
• Georgetown Lake homeowners seek resolution to road controversy (WY)
  Homeowners along a critical road on Georgetown Lake say they are hoping a solution is reached soon to a controversy over maintenance.  The Granite County Commission recently voted to halt all maintenance of the 3.1-mile-long Lakeshore Road, effective June 1, and the Forest Service says they are not authorized to maintain it for residential use.  ...
• First-of-Its-Kind Injunction for Florida Condo Owners
  This first-of-a-kind appellate ruling places significant limitations on the power and rights of developers to take control of condominium associations, amend the governing documents, and terminate condominiums so they may demolish the condominiums and redevelop the property while running roughshod over the individual property rights of innocent unit owners.   Read the article…………………………….
• Fergus, Ont. man feels nickel-and-dimed for $0.05 property tax bill
  A property tax bill is perplexing a small townhouse community in Fergus, Ont.  It’s not uncommon to hear people complain about taxes, but one man is speaking out because the bill is so low.  “Really? Five cents? Someone sent a bill for five cents?” said Blake Kent, recalling his reaction when he first saw the ...
• Developers encounter roadblocks due to lack of communication with neighborhood Civic Clubs and City of Houston (TX)
  The problem we have seen since the Our Town special, in communities similar to Sunnyside, with no standard HOA, is the city approving developers’ building permits, but halting construction once the civic club intervenes because of deed restrictions.   Read the article…………………………….
• HUD announces final rule to protect against flood risk
  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Monday that it published a final rule, the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS), in the Federal Register.  The rule is designed to “help communities prepare for and reduce flood damage” and other extended climate risks, including “heavy storms, increased frequency of severe weather events ...
• Murrysville homeowners’ association wants dredged sediment cleared away (PA)
  One of the main reasons homeowners associations exist is to ensure the neighborhoods they govern remain clean and tidy.  It’s little wonder, then, that members of the Lyons Run Estates Homeowners Association are not pleased they’ve had several tons of dredged sediment sitting on their property for nearly two years.   Read the article…………………………….
• 2 Articles on Florida’s Insurance Problems
  Move, cut back or go bare: Florida seniors juggle skyrocketing costs, impossible choices Florida homeowners insurance is skyrocketing: Here’s what to know
• Corporate Transparency Act and Community Associations: Updates and Compliance (IL)
  On April 18, 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Treasury issued updated guidance addressing the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).  The CTA directs FinCEN to establish a nationwide database of beneficial ownership of certain corporations and other legal entities including condominium, homeowner (HOA) and townhome community associations.    Read the article…………………………….
• How six local homeowners associations humanely kept 300 goose eggs from hatching (IL)
  Last year, over 300 eggs were prevented from hatching in just six local homeowners associations. Robeson Meadows, Westlake, Timberline Valley North and South, Trails of Brittany and Ponds on Windsor all participated in a training workshop given by Friends of Geese (friendsofgeese.com).  Residents of the HOAs were taught the egg depredation process    Read the article…………………………….
• Amberlake HOA protests Amazon drones at weekend event (TX)
  On Saturday Amazon Prime held a meet and greet for the neighborhood at 1700 Sebesta Road. While the event saw many supporters according to College Station Mayor John Nichols it also saw a protest for the Amberlake HOA over the Amazon drones flying over their neighborhood.  Amazon Drones have been controversial in College Station since ...