Washington Condo & HOA News
- Birch Bay Village opens up private golf links to nearby HOAs (WA) April 17, 2025Tucked away in Birch Bay Village (BBV), a gated community of roughly 1,100 homes on the north shore of Birch Bay, is a nine-hole golf course that has for years been reserved almost exclusively for residents since its construction in the 1960s. That changed recently when BBV’s HOA board voted to open the golf course for 25 to 50 new members from nearby Semiahmoo and Sea Links homeowners associations. Read the article…………………………….
- A century-old tree called ‘Big Red’ comes down in Edmonds (WA) April 1, 2025Neighbors and tree advocates circled the trunk, trying to protect it. Condo board members said the tree’s removal was sad but necessary. Big Red stood a hundred feet tall, with a trunk so wide that if it were hollow, you could lay down inside it and go to sleep. Read the article…………………………….
- ‘Wish it never happened.’ Neighbor reacts to mass shooting in Spanaway that left 2 dead (WA) March 29, 2025A once-quiet Spanaway neighborhood is shaken after a shooting broke out during a house party overnight Saturday that left two dead and four others injured. The shooting reportedly stemmed from a fight that happened in the middle of the street in the 17800 block of 25th Avenue Court East just after midnight at 12:23 a.m., according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. 30-40 juveniles were running and screaming from the house party after shots were fired. Read the article…………………………….
- House Bill 1403 could bring more condo construction across Washington March 13, 2025A new house bill looks to simplify condominium construction statutes across the state. Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) and House Bill 1403 looks to close the gap between housing supply and pressure on the rental market by encouraging condo construction. Read the article…………………………….
- Lacey neighborhoods eligible for grants up to $2,500 (WA) February 28, 2025City officials made it clear the grants are designed for Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and informal neighborhood groups. While HOAs already function as legal entities, informal neighborhoods must form a five-member team of nonfamily residents willing to oversee the project. Read the article…………………………….
- Fact Check Team: HOA fees: where you’ll pay the most and least in the US housing market (WA) February 21, 2025Buying a home is already a financial challenge in today’s market. With high interest rates making mortgages more expensive and a limited housing supply driving up prices, prospective homeowners have a lot to consider. However, even after closing on a house, there’s another cost that can impact homeowners’ budgets—mandatory Homeowners Association (HOA) fees. Read the article…………………………….
- Queen Anne condos foot bill for excess use to flush out mud in water supply (WA) February 20, 2025Several condos in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood had a water issue no one expected to deal with: mud water coming from the faucets. “I turn on the water and there’s mud coming out of our bathtub faucet. Mud!” Marie Howie, who lives in Queen Anne, said. Howie says that was the reality for more than 32 hours in mid-January when Seattle Public Utility crews were installing new fire hydrants near Warren Avenue North. Something went wrong, causing mud and other ...
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Washington Condo & HOA Articles
- Construction Defects & Legal Risks: What Property Owners and Contractors Need to KnowConstruction defects pose significant challenges for property owners, developers, and contractors across the United States, including in Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. These defects can lead to substantial financial losses, legal disputes, and safety concerns. Understanding the common types of construction defects, their legal implications, and strategies for prevention and resolution are crucial for all stakeholders involved in construction projects. Read the article…………………………….
- Condo Owners Fight Back: Accuse Insurer of Bad-Faith in Denying $2M Hidden Water Damage Claim (WA)In a significant legal skirmish unfolding in Seattle, The Florentine Owners Association has launched serious accusations against Affiliated FM Insurance Co. (AFM), alleging that the insurer is intentionally dragging out its investigation into a substantial hidden damage claim, potentially to avoid paying over $2 million in repairs. According to the complaint filed on March 6, 2025, in Washington federal court, the condominium owners allege that AFM is deliberately stalling, presumably to run out the contractual limitations period set within their ...
- WUCIOA For All—A Proactive Approach to a Massive Change in Community Association Law (WA)In 2018, the Washington legislature took a major step toward standardizing the law that applies to condominium associations, homeowners’ associations, and other common interest communities. The Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (“WUCIOA”) became effective on July 1, 2018, and applied in full to all common interest communities created on or after that date. In 2028, the journey toward standardization will be complete when WUCIOA becomes applicable to all communities, regardless of when they were formed. That change may cause ...
- General Contractor Defeats Owner’s Notice Argument and Prevails in Seattle Condo Dispute (WA)The Washington Court of Appeals recently affirmed a jury verdict and $30 million judgment for general contractor Skanska. The case involves the construction of the 41-story Nexus condominium tower in downtown Seattle. As is often the case, one of the central issues was whether Skanska was entitled to be paid for alleged changes to its scope of work. The owner made a familiar argument: Read the article…………………………….
- Washington Court of Appeals Addresses Boundary Tree Trespass ClaimTwo lot owners in a homeowners association share a property line which runs parallel to a row of Leyland Cypress trees. Some of those trees are located entirely on one property, but some straddle the common property line. One owner removed approximately the top third of the trees. Read the article…………………………….
- Fair Housing and Emotional Support AnimalsIn Oregon and Washington, as in the rest of the United States, condominium associations and other housing providers are generally required to allow emotional support animals (ESAs) under certain conditions, even if their policies typically restrict pets. This requirement stems from the Fair Housing Act (FHA), a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on disability. Read the article…………………………….
- How Loud is too Loud? When Flooring is Replaced in a Neighboring Condominium Unit.When we choose to live in a condominium whose walls, ceilings, and floors are directly adjacent to our neighbors, a certain amount of noise is going to be part of the bargain. When deciding to enter into this bargain, how do we know how much noise is acceptable, and when is that noise too much noise? Read the article…………………………….
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