In a ruling, the state Supreme Court says homeowners aren’t beholden to local covenants that aren’t meaningfully enforced. This comes after a case from Summerset was appealed all the way to the highest court in South Dakota. In this context, a “covenant” is a contract between a homeowner’s association or similar entity and the individual lot owners regulating matters like construction.   Read the article…………………………….

Complaints are mounting from landlords, tenants and HOA members about lost rent payments, unpaid utility bills and other concerns surrounding one property management company.  The company, JL Property Management, LLC, is also suspended from accreditation from the Better Business Bureau pending a review.    Read the article…………………………….

The Blue Dog Lake Homeowners Association has long been concerned about the lack of maintenance at a public access area. This public access area has been neglected and the local residents are hoping it can be brought up to speed in the not-too-distant future.   Read the article…………………………….

The neighbors around the pond needed approval from the Homeowners Association before putting in the flagpole, but now that the flag is up and flying, they will be donating it back to the HOA so that it can keep flying the star-spangled banner.  After the HOA approved their flagpole on May 29th, the original plan was to install it and hold their flag-raising ceremony on Flag Day, but it wasn’t ready in time.    Read the article…………………………….

Upset McCook Lake residents and homeowners met with the Union County Emergency Manager for the first time after flooding wreaked havoc on homes and streets in the area.   Read the article…………………………….

Last month, State Farm announced that it would not renew insurance policies for 72,000 California houses and apartments, about 2 percent of its total policies in California.  That announcement followed the company’s May 2023 decision to stop writing new policies in the state, citing “rapidly growing catastrophe exposure,” a move that was echoed by Allstate and American Insurance Group.     Read the article…………………………….

Today, February 5, Governor Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 39 into law. SB 39 prohibits a homeowners’ association (HOA) from placing restrictions on firearms or firearm ammunition. This important legislation further strengthens firearm preemption in the Mount Rushmore State by protecting sportsmen from HOA regulations.Read the article…………………………….

Members of both the Zimmermann Drive Homeowners Association and Van Buskirk Companies, which is developing the Zimmermann Landing gated community, have experienced that kind of frustration this summer. Much of the frustration focuses on Zimmermann Drive, a road skirting a portion of Lake Madison long maintained by area homeowners.   Read the article………………………..

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced that the Meadow Crest Homeowners Association public water system and the system’s operation specialists have been awarded a Drinking Water Certificate of Achievement Award.  Read the article………………………..

Court appeals continue in the original lawsuit against the state on behalf of residents in the neighborhood where a sinkhole opened in April 2020, while a new case has been filed against the state.    Read the entire article……………………………….

Because funding the project is an issue, several proposals were offered. Former township supervisor Larry Kotten proposed doing an opt-out to cover the costs.  Kontz offered a financial contribution from members of The Harbor Homeowners Association.  “Some of us homeowners are willing to step up to the plate. We want it done that badly,” she said.    Read the entire article……………………………….

A law firm said Wednesday it is one step closer in its bid to be certified to file a class-action lawsuit to represent Hideaway Hills residents  An attorney for Fox Rothschild said Wednesday that the national firm has hired two companies to begin drilling in the subdivision as part of that process.    Read the entire article……………………………….

Restrictive covenants on real estate in South Dakota should last longer but shouldn’t be forever, the state House of Representatives said Thursday.  House members voted 55-14 to extend them to 40 years. They’ve been set at 25 years since 1925. HB 1084 now goes to the Senate for a second hearing.    Read the article……………………………….

Rapid City this week completed the annexation of 238 residential properties in the Countryside Subdivision, according to a press release from the city.   Read more……..