Crews were met with heavy fire on the roof of one building that was spreading through the attic to other attached condo units. After the third alarm was issued, firefighters set up aerial operations to battle the blaze from above and had the fire under control in less than an hour. Read the article…………………………….
Shotgun-brandishing Bayside HOA President arrested after threatening kids fishing and stealing their property (FL)
Police say that Kyle approached 3 kids who were fishing at a lake in the Stillwater Lakes subdivision in Palm Bay. The kids say he was bearing a shotgun and yelling at them to get off his property. According to the police, the property belongs to the HOA, and not Kyle. The report states that […]
Community Association Boards: How Documents Protect or Expose Your Decisions
Community association governing documents offer a framework for board actions, but it’s imperative for boards to carefully follow them to ensure protection and validity of their decisions. Decisions and actions must be supported by the provisions in these documents and other applicable laws. Read the article…………………………….
Sicamous condo looking to zone out short-term rentals (BC)
To rent, or not to rent, that is the question and with the strata of the Legacy on Mara Lake in a rift over the issue, they’ve asked that Sicamous council rezone the property. At a Committee of the Whole meeting on April 24, staff reported on the application to change it from MUR-2 seasonal […]
Condo Smarts: No exemptions to change in depreciation reports (BC)
Dear Tony: How do the new changes to depreciation reports apply to smaller strata corporations like a bare land or townhouse strata of less than 25 units? We have very few items of common property and have chosen to defer the requirement as we cannot justify the cost. Will small strata corporations be permitted to […]
Crews battle overnight condo fire on Evansville’s west side (IN)
The Perry Township Fire Department says firefighters arrived and found flames showing from the multi-family building, which is nearby the Mission Viejo apartment complex on Evansville’s west side. According to officials, the fire was upgraded to a 2nd alarm and then later to a 3rd alarm fire. Read the article…………………………….
Marconi Point condo verdict deferred on $3.1M in potential fines (HI)
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday was poised to make a landmark decision on fines for alleged violations on conservation lands on Oahu’s North Shore. Violations included the unauthorized decimation of two acres of critical habitat for Hawaii’s endangered yellow-faced bees, plus the unpermitted construction of an iron fence contributing to […]
Sinkhole saga at Phoenix condo complex could soon be over (AZ)
People fed up with a growing sinkhole at the Parkside Condominiums on Bell and Cave Creek Roads are feeling optimistic. The HOA board, the VP, and the community manager for City Property Management held a meeting outside the complex Thursday night to announce that repairs for the sinkhole would begin next week. Read the article…………………………….
Florida Condos And Community Associations Beware: New Bad Faith Law Adds Negligent Security Lapses To Growing List Of Potential Liability Claims
Enacted in 2023, HB 837 substantially modified Florida’s bad faith laws and the state’s comparative negligence system from a “pure” to a “modified” one whereby a plaintiff who is found to be more than 50 percent at fault for his or her own harm may not recover damages from any defendant. Medical negligence is exempt. […]
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. […]
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 […]
HOA Q&A: Can board members group text to keep updated on association business? (FL)
Q: We have seven board members on our board. Can we all be on a group text or is this considered a quorum? Two of our board members want to use this form of communication to keep everyone updated on what’s going on. One board member feels this is against state rules. Read the Q&A………………………………..
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 [good and bad] 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………………………………..