Condo & HOA News Items
Starting July 1, condo associations will have the opportunity to apply for part of $30 million in grant funding to help harden their buildings and mitigate storm damage. HB1029 which was approved by the Florida legislature in April, extended the existing My Safe Florida Home program to include condominiums. The program essentially provides mitigation inspections and guidelines for what hardening projects the funding can be used for.
16 units of Brandon condo building not habitable after 2-alarm fire (FL)
Sixteen units were damaged and no longer habitable after a two-alarm fire tore through a Brandon condominium building on Friday afternoon. The American Red Cross
HOA Homefront: 17 things I wish all HOA managers knew (CA)
1. Managers are the HOA’s most important service providers. HOAs don’t work well without competent and trustworthy managers. Read the article..................................
HOA fees are standing out in a bad way (CA)
Affording today’s housing market isn’t always so simple, which is why HOA fees aren’t easy to digest for some buyers. Today, I thought it would
Headline , Maintenance - General , National Condo & HOA News , Senior Housing , South Carolina Condo & HOA News
HOA says single elevator at senior living community will cost $120K to fix (SC)
Residents at one senior living community in West Columbia said the only elevator in their building has been broken for several months. The Hulon Greene
Crews remove 200-year-old oak tree damaging a Paragould condo (AR)
Tree limbs dangled in the air as two cranes worked to pull the tree off of the house. Tornado cleanup efforts continue as crews removed
Condo owner says HOA board refuses to address reported encounters with neighbor
Q: I hear Ilyce on the radio often and figured maybe the guru of all things having to do with money and real estate might
A Mega-Lawsuit, a Rush of Listings and Price Cuts Galore: What’s Going on at 432 Park? (NY)
When 432 Park Avenue launched sales to much fanfare in 2013, the condominium was hailed as one of Manhattan’s most prestigious addresses. The sleek, roughly
Fort Myers Beach at epicenter of rising insurance rates (FL)
One of the major places the impact is being felt is at condos, where homeowner’s association fees are increasing to make up for not only
Two Years After Massive Blaze, Grand Bear Owners Still Rebuilding (IL)
It was two years ago Thursday that 28 residential units at Grand Bear Lodge were burned to the ground. Just before 5:30 on that Memorial
Condo buyouts add another layer to housing crisis (FL)
State Rep. Vicki Lopez, the Republican lawmaker who led condo reforms to try to prevent another Surfside tragedy, is worried about a recent court decision
Coloradans seeing big rate hikes for homeowners insurance
The cost of owning a home in Colorado is about to get even more expensive. Homeowners insurance rates are skyrocketing, and experts told FOX31 there
$1 million delinquent water bill owed by condo complex in Portsmouth (VA)
Charlestowne Condos has a homeowners association and management company. The water bill is paid out of residents' homeowner's fee, but that hasn't been happening. Video
Condo & HOA Informational Articles
Beware of Scams Related to the Corporate Transparency Act
There has been a great deal written lately about the impact and filing requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act, which is a 2021 federal law aimed at detecting money laundering, terrorist finance and other illicit financial activity. Community associations have been told they are not exempt, and their directors must
The Increasingly Complex Board Election Process (CA)
The Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (California Civil Code (“CC”) §§5100-5145) mandates the following board election process for incorporated and unincorporated associations. Failing to comply with this process can lead to owner challenges of the election results and litigation, which in turn can lead to the election being voided, the
Condos In Hawaii: 3 Key Issues To Know
Some 400,000 of us here in the islands live in condos, governed by quasi-governmental agencies. Sometimes residents can face legal fees in the thousands over fairly minor disputes, as Stewart Yerton has reported. And for some, insurance costs have skyrocketed lately. Watch the video...............................
Vacation Rentals and Community Associations (FL)
Over the past few years, Airbnb and VRBO (collectively referred to as “Vacation Rentals”) have become a very popular form of short-term rental. Vacation Rentals include a range of rentals from houses, condos, or in some instances rooms for a period under 30 days’ at a time. While some owners
Best Practices for Disaster Preparedness and Response in Arizona HOAs
In Arizona, where natural disasters such as wildfires and floods are not uncommon, an effectively tailored emergency response plan is imperative for Homeowners Associations (HOAs) to safeguard lives, properties, and maintain order amidst chaos. These plans are critical in reducing confusion, preventing unnecessary expenses, and minimizing the risks of fraud
Maximizing Efficiency with Technology in HOA Management in AZ
HOA management in AZ has transformed with the advent of technology, providing homeowners associations (HOAs) and property management services an edge in administrative efficiency and community engagement. Technology streamlines the exhaustive processes involved in HOA management, from financial record-keeping and dues processing to maintenance coordination and community oversight. Read the
Does a Condominium Have a 115% Cap on Increasing Assessments? (FL)
The increase in costs, especially insurance premiums, have been difficult for condominium associations in the past couple of years. I have been asked on many occasions if there is a cap on increasing the budget by more than 115% from the previous year. Read the article..................................
Community Association Considerations
Electric Vehicles – Still an Unsolved Issue
In 2011 I wrote an article for Common Ground, the national magazine for the Community Associations Institute (CAI). In looking at it, not much ground has been covered since then.
No one is building condos anymore. (UT) Experts are trying to figure out why
"Last year, builders assembled more housing units than at any time in the past four decades, and virtually all of them were rental homes. For decades, condominiums made up about
Industry News
IAM Western Territory Wins Landmark NLRB
In March, a road and facility technician working for the Crystal
CAI’s Common Ground Article on Jim
The most recent Common Ground from the Community Associations Institute includes
Florida HOA Sued Over Antisemitic Actions
(Press release) Today attorneys from First Liberty Institute and Jones Day
Legal & Legislative Articles
New Law Impacting Hurricane Protections for Florida HOAs
Florida House Bill 293 (HB 293) was signed into law and immediately went into effect. This new law addresses hurricane protections for homeowners’ associations (HOAs) in Florida. Entitled “Hurricane Protections for Homeowner Associations,” this new Florida
Condo owners stuck on standby, waiting to access much-needed storm mitigation grant funding (FL)
Starting July 1, condo associations will have the opportunity to apply for part of $30 million in grant funding to help harden their buildings and mitigate storm damage. HB1029 which was approved by the Florida legislature
Loggers’ Run Boca Raton, Campbell Property Management Facing Federal Discrimination Lawsuit (FL)
The Loggers’ Run homeowners association and Campbell Property Management allegedly conspired in acts of Antisemitism to prevent a Jewish family from opening a Chabad in the community and from sharing Jewish education with others in their
2024 HOA Legislative Update: Summary of HB 59 and HB 293 (FL)
May 28, 2024, was a big day for homeowners’ associations across the Sunshine State. Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills that create new requirements in Chapter 720, Florida Statutes, also known as the Homeowners’ Association Act.
Homeowner Association Architectural Review Standards (FL)
Two of the bills signed into law this month by the Governor modify Florida Statute 720.3035 regulating architectural review. Because of these two pending changes to the law, homeowner’s associations should review their architectural review with
New Florida Community Association Law: Rules, Notices, HOA Websites & More
Florida House Bill 59 (HB 59) was signed into law and is effective on July 1, 2024. The bill was unanimously approved by both the Florida Senate and House before being signed by Governor DeSantis. This
Op/Ed
How South Florida’s condos, HOAs should prepare for upcoming hurricane season
Hurricane season is approaching quickly and forecasters are predicting an intense one ahead. And while we South Floridians are no strangers to these storms, it’s crucial to recognize the potent cocktail of factors like La Nina
Battling their HOA, Wichita homeowners win key ruling at Kansas Court of Appeals | Opinion
Props to the Kansas Court of Appeals for respecting homeowners’ rights — and the English language — in a dispute between a Wichita couple and their homeowners association over who has to fix the fence. Read
Why Black Condo Owners Have More Power Than You Think
“Condo” might as well be a four-letter word in Black neighborhoods. We all knew the deal as soon as we hear a new development is popping up in the neighborhood: First come the white folks, then
Corporate Transparency Act: CAI challenges act’s constitutionality in court filing
Community Associations Institute filed an amicus brief earlier this week in the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit challenging the constitutionality of the Corporate Transparency Act. In March, a district court in Alabama
EDITORIAL: Unstoppable Wildfires, Uninsurable Homes
A wildfire swept through the Hawaiian town of Lahaina in August, last year, causing an estimated $6 billion in damage. So far, insurance companies have reportedly paid out about $3 billion in claims; more than 2,000
Commentary: FCC’s bulk internet billing proposal well-intentioned but could harm underserved in SC
Having a high-speed internet connection is essential for so much of today’s day-to-day activities. I’ve experienced that in my daily life, have heard it from the constituents I serve as a Florence City Councilman, and know
Canada Condo, Strata & HOA News
Condo Smarts: No specified time period for completion of projects (BC)
Q: Our strata council is holding a $1.1 million-dollar levy that was approved in the fall of 2022, intended for roofing, and has still not been implemented. There have been many excuses,
Consumer protection on Ontario’s condo agenda
Ontario’s Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) could be called on to resolve more types of disputes between condo corporations and owners. The provincial government is considering adding processes related to owner-requisitioned meetings to
Twice-displaced Abbotsford woman calls for more disaster supports (BC)
After rising floodwaters forced Danielle Rayner to evacuate her rented townhouse in Abbotsford, B.C., in November 2021, she says she still had faith she could rebuild her life. But just six months
Canada Condo, Strata & HOA Articles
A Condo Board’s Duty to Accommodate
Recent caselaw shows many condo boards and their members do not properly handle accommodation requests from tenant/owners on human rights grounds. In large part, these issues are also faced by landlords of
CAT Deals With Competing Needs Respecting a Water Feature (ON)
In a recent CAT case, one resident had installed a small water feature (a small portable one gallon fountain) in that resident’s backyard. The resident who had installed the water feature said
Uncovering Asbestos During Condo Refurbishment: Navigating Challenges and Options (ON)
Embarking on a major refurbishment project for a condominium is an exciting endeavor, promising revitalized spaces and enhanced living experiences for residents. However, amidst the renovation excitement, the discovery of asbestos can
International Condo, Strata & HOA News
Japan: Land ministry sets standards for condo repair reserve funds
The land ministry has set standards for calculating the contributions of unit owners to reserve funds earmarked for large-scale condominium repairs, calling for balanced fund accumulation over the long term
Singapore: Condo resident concerned neighbour’s toy dino on air-con unit may fall 5 storeys and hurt someone
It looked like a giant lady’s finger from above. As in the vegetable, not the human appendage. Also known as okra. A green toy triceratops was spotted taped onto the
Philippines: File complaint with HSAC, condo owners advised
AT THE Aprobado sa Konseho meeting on Thursday, Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra "Sweet" Advincula advised Verdon Parc residents to lodge complaints with the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) while awaiting