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 […]
New regulations help close loopholes, protect strata owners (BC)
Strata owners will soon have more certainty and consistency around the repair and maintenance of common property with new regulations to close a loophole that allowed strata corporations to indefinitely defer depreciation reports. Read the article…………………………….
Preferences on Remote Work Revealed in New Survey
The traditional office model is a thing of the past. A recent survey conducted by the Foundation for Community Association Research reveals new insights into employee and management preferences. The findings could help ensure a balance and a smooth transition into evolving workplace models. As we navigate the post-pandemic landscape, the traditional 9-to-5 office model […]
Florida Legislature Approves $30M for Condominium Storm-Proofing Grants
The state’s lawmakers passed the bill enacting the new My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program with unanimous votes in both chambers, and it is now awaiting its expected approval by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The program, which is an extension of the My Safe Florida Home program that offers grants for improvements to single-family homes, will […]
HOA Board Governance: Roles, Responsibilities, and Ethics
Homeowners’ Associations play a pivotal role in shaping the communities they oversee. At the heart of every HOA is its board of directors, a group of individuals entrusted with the responsibility of making decisions that affect the entire community. However, being an HOA board member is not merely a title; it comes with a set […]
B.C. man told to remove garden shed from strata patio
B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has told a Vancouver man to remove a garden shed but also told the strata to remove fines against the owner from having the shed. According to the April 22 decision, Daniel Latuszek had installed a custom-built wooden shed on a limited common property (LCP) patio adjacent to his strata lot […]
Ocean Club Atlantic City, NJ Condo Balconies Are Still An Issue (NJ)
We wrote our first article about the Ocean Club Condominium, Atlantic City, New Jersey balconies issue on February 4, 2022. More than two years later, it’s still an issue, as some residents still cannot use their balconies. A concerned Ocean Club Condominium resident reached to us because of our previous coverage Read the article…………………………….
Thief arrested after being caught on camera stealing mail from Cobb County neighborhood (GA)
Police say they found 70 pieces of stolen mail in a man’s car. Video from a security camera shows the suspect in action. It’s just before 2 a.m. on Atwater Drive in Smyrna. A security camera was positioned perfectly to catch the man’s every move. He opens a mailbox, pulls out an envelope, places it […]
Accusing Neighbor of Racism Is Not of Public Interest (CA)
Div. Eight of this district’s Court of Appeal held Friday that repeated accusations by owners of a condominium in a six-unit complex of racism and malfeasance on the part of another owner in emails to the homeowners association, an insurance company, neighbors and others, implicates too small and specific of an audience to qualify as […]
Bahamas: DPM to monitor February Point, homeowners’ concerns
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, and Member of Parliament for Exuma Chester Cooper said he will monitor the progress of negotiations and conversations between the owners of February Point and its homeowners, who say they have no idea where the private development is headed since it was bought by a private […]
LIC Condo Board Settles Wage Dispute with Service Workers (NY)
There’s no such thing as a free lunch — or a free tax break. The popular 421-a tax abatement, for instance, comes with the requirement that a building receiving the tax relief must pay its non-union employees prevailing wages, which are pegged to the wages and benefits enjoyed by members of Local 32BJ of the […]
CAT Deals with Noise and Light from Traffic on Nearby Major Road (ON)
In the case of Taplin v. YRVLCC 1002, an owner in the vacant land condominium asserted that noise and light (from car headlights and streetlights) coming from a nearby major road were a nuisance to the applicant. The applicant claimed that the condominium corporation was obligated to plant some trees to offer the applicant some […]
Banks fail to get Villas West lawsuit dismissed (AZ)
A U.S. District Court judge says a lawsuit brought by Villas West Condominium Association against two banks following the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars can move forward despite attempts by the banks to have it dismissed. According to U.S. District Court records, the condo association filed a lawsuit in Pima County Superior Court […]
Creating an Emergency Event Strategy for Your HOA
Having a well-thought-out emergency plan is paramount for any community facing unforeseen circumstances. Anticipating every possible scenario may seem daunting, but establishing a plan that is adaptable to various emergencies can alleviate stress for board members and ensure a smoother response process. Moreover, tailoring your plan to address these risks is prudent if your area […]
Ovilla Residents Rally for Community Harmony, Charting Future in HOA Meeting with Police Department (TX)
In an expression of tight-knit community spirit, a local Homeowners’ Association (HOA) brought residents together over the weekend at the Police Department to hash out plans and concerns for the future of their city. The meeting announced on the Ovilla Police Department’s Facebook page, encouraged discussions on urban development, communal issues, and strategies for enhancing […]
Atlantic City condo board warns of residents allegedly throwing debris at workers (NJ)
The Ocean Club Condominium Board of Trustees has asked police to look into incidents alleged by workers that some occupants were throwing food and dog feces at them. In a letter dated Friday, the board of the condos at 3101 Boardwalk said the incidents were brought to their attention, and if the problems persist, the […]
‘Hold the homeowners accountable’; Owasso neighborhood HOA is thousands of dollars in debt (OK)
Owasso residents volunteered their time and finances to fix a broken park bridge after the City of Owasso and the neighborhood HOA said their hands were tied. However, the bridge is only a fraction of the updates needed in the park. “We need new bridges on both ends,” Jesse Werner, Three Lakes resident, said. “We […]
Gov. Jared Polis signs bill barring HOAs from prohibiting home-based businesses (CO)
Gov. Jared Polis has signed a measure into law that prohibits homeowners associations from barring the operation of home-based businesses, saying it is one of his “favorite” bills this session. Under Senate Bill 134, a home-based business must still comply with an HOA’s rules and regulations around things like architectural control, parking, landscaping, and noise […]
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…………………………….
Campbell v. Toronto Standard Condominium Corporation No. 2600: Constructive Fraud is Not Fraud for the Purpose of Set-Aside Applications (ON)
In Campbell v. Toronto Standard Condominium Corporation No. 2600, 2024 ONCA 218, (“Campbell“) the Court of Appeal for Ontario considered the proper interpretation of the term “fraud” as it appears in the appeals and set-aside provisions of the Arbitration Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 17 (the “Arbitration Act”), finding that the term – which is […]
How climate change risk is reshaping the homeowners insurance market
The effects of climate change are becoming more pronounced, both globally and domestically. In the U.S., the consequences of changing weather patterns and climate-related disasters are impacting various aspects of the economy, with homeowners in particular feeling the cost in a very direct way. Read the article…………………………….
60 GTHA Condo Projects On Hold Indefinitely As Developers Pull Back “Dramatically” (ON)
Despite the fact that we’ve seen things perk up in the housing market, generally speaking, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area’s new condominium segment remains remarkably sluggish — in large part, because developers are “dramatically pulling back” as they see that buyers aren’t willing (or aren’t in the position) to bite. Read the article…………………………….
More retired Floridians are returning to the workforce
Tampa Bay Times reporter Lauren Peace, who wrote about this issue, said some challenges facing Florida are an influx of newer residents and natural disasters. These have caused housing prices, insurance rates and home maintenance costs to rise. “And then the last piece of it is, following the Surfside collapse, legislators passed a bill to […]
Architectural Review Committees – Their Powers Get Slashed (FL)
HB 1203 made some major changes regarding architectural review committees. To sum it up, their powers were greatly slashed. Let’s take a look: An association or any architectural, construction improvement, or similar committee of an association must reasonably and equitably apply and enforce on all parcel owners the architectural and construction improvement standards authorized by […]
Unhappy neighbors. Vacant lots. NC community for ‘patriots’ off to a rocky start
When developers launched 1776 Gastonia, the 55-plus housing community for “patriots,” in the Charlotte area last year, they said it was just the beginning of a “grassroots movement.” With street names like Paul Revere Drive and Constitution Lane, 1776 Gastonia invokes vague stars-and-stripes imagery to appeal to its target audience: patriotic citizens looking to achieve […]
‘Quasi-Dormant’ Darien Homeowners Association Resurrected (IL)
Dorothy Sipp and her husband, John, have lived in Darien’s Hinsbrook subdivision for nearly four decades. “There always have been rumblings that there is this homeowners association,” Dorothy Sipp said, but the couple never came into contact with it. Until last week. In the mail, they received a letter from the association’s president, Bill Christenson. […]
Neighbor Cries ‘Fowl’ Over Chicken Ban (FL)
Q: My homeowners association inconsistently enforces its rules. Rules often overlooked include bans regarding permissible animals and owning chickens on the property – none of which have been properly enforced. The association issued a new owner a violation notice, even though other homeowners have been keeping chickens. Does this set a precedent for how these […]
The Power of Infrared Thermography in Building Inspections
Infrared thermography, a cornerstone of modern infrared inspection, stands out as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, revolutionizing the approach toward preventative maintenance and safety inspection. Utilizing state-of-the-art infrared cameras, this technology makes the invisible visible by capturing the heat emitted from objects in vivid colors, revealing potential issues in electrical systems, insulation failures, and even hidden […]
Edmonton condo at risk of collapse to be sold as corporate law clouds hope for court fight (AB)
The corporations behind the construction of an Edmonton condo building that was evacuated last year due to the risk of collapse no longer exist, which poses a legal hurdle for owners who were forced from their homes seven months ago. All residents of Castledowns Pointe at 12618 152nd Ave. were ordered out last September after […]
Board Relations: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
It’s the time of year when many community associations welcome new board members. It also is a great time to review conflicts of interest and how to avoid them. Community association board members are considered fiduciaries. Fiduciary duty is the highest standard of care imposed under law, and it occurs when one or more persons […]
Is Your Co-op Vulnerable to Unauthorized Pets? The Pet Law is a Beast (NY)
In the case of 360 E. 72nd St. Owners Inc. v. Wolkoff, a New York State Court in Manhattan handed down a decision regarding pets in cooperative buildings that co-op boards and property managers should beware. The outcome underscores the importance for co-ops to take prompt legal actions when dealing with residents who violate pet-related […]
Malaysia: Strata residents raise issue of cohabitation with pets
K. DIANA resides in a condominium in Petaling Jaya, Selangor where she recently welcomed an abandoned toy poodle into her home. She claims that the well-behaved pooch poses no disturbance to her neighbours as it remains indoors. Three months after bringing the dog home, Diana received a notice from condominium management instructing her to remove […]
Australia: ‘Completely blindsided’: new owners of strata properties shocked by special levies
About three months after Jake* and his partner bought their apartment in Sydney, they faced an unexpected bill of more than $100,000. It was a special levy for major repairs needed to fix problems with the building’s waterproofing, but it was not flagged in the strata report or the previous year’s annual meeting minutes that […]
What Is a Co-Op? (Short Answer: Much More Than You’d Think)
With so many different types of housing out there, you can’t blame first-time homebuyers in many large cities in America for asking themselves, “What is a co-op?” But a housing cooperative is more than a condo with a board of directors, bylaws, shares and complicated board approval process. It’s also a historic method for providing […]
‘Enough work hasn’t yet been done’: 42 community association representatives meet with Gondek over rezoning (AB)
Dozens of Community Association representatives sat down with Mayor Jyoti Gondek Saturday morning to express their concern about proposed zoning changes. If passed, Calgary’s base zoning district would be changed to R-CG, a classification that allows for row homes and duplexes to be built in residential zones. Read the article…………………………….
Owner furious that condo’s no smoking at home policy ignored. Can neighbor be stopped? (FL)
Question: I live in a 55+ condo association. In 2015, we passed a strict “no smoking” bylaw. Smoking is not allowed on our property, including inside of units. When I was president, I had to get our attorney involved to get one renter who smoked in her rental condo to stop, even though she rented […]
Two-Alarm Fire at Condo Complex in Long Beach (CA)
A two-alarm fire was hard to access for Long Beach Fire. The residents started evacuating, taking the provided hose lines off the wall, and fighting the fire until the fire department arrived. Read the article…………………………….
Condo Smarts: Do strata fees still apply during a major claim? (BC)
Dear Tony: Our building experienced a major flood during the cold snap in January. Everyone had to move out to allow for the restoration contractor in for repairs. We are one of three buildings and the owners and tenants have no control over the process of repairs; however, our strata council have given us notice […]
Evicting geese with dogs, umbrellas and laser pointers
Canada geese are big, pretty birds when seen from far away, but when they get close to people they cause big problems. “Well, they poop every step they take,” said Shirely Perry, president of the Windham Lakes Homeowner’s Association. “They make a big mess and they do attack people, especially when they are nesting.” Read […]