Increasing Events of Rainfall and Flooding Cause Headaches for HOAs and Homeowners
A homeowner in Union County, NC reported damage to his backyard due to heavy flooding, notably that had not occurred in the past. The plat maps revealed that a portion of his lot was located in a flood plain backing up to a stormwater drainage easement on an HOA-owned common area. The HOA had done nothing to redirect the water flow away from the homeowner’s property. Since a 1987 North Carolina Supreme Court case, North Carolina law states the HOA is not responsible for paying to fix the problem. Let us know at thoughts by leaving us a comment.
Man’s Comeback to HOA Fining Him Over His Truck Applauded: ‘Motivation’
Newsweek.com reports a homeowner being praised online after confessing to parking his truck outside his HOA’s president’s home and revving his engine daily to annoy the homeowner association after receiving a violation. The resident shared his plan and received over 12,000 votes in less than a day on a SubReddit section called “Malicious Compliance.” According to the homeowner, he received a letter regarding the fine, from his HOA stating that his brand-new work truck was in the driveway and had not moved in two days and therefore was considered “non-running” and in violation of their rules. Apparently, this was his third strike since he had previously been warned about his grass not being green enough. Despite his technique not being a favorite for the HOA, Reddit users were left applauding the unconventional response. The fine was dropped shortly after. Let us know your opinion by leaving us a comment.
Volusia County Residents Facing Damage to Homes from Flooding
Volusia County, FL residents were still dealing with flooding impacts days after Hurricane Ian. High water and power outage remained in a 55 and older community with almost 400 homes. It was estimated that more than half of the residents lost their homes due to historic rainfall from the hurricane. The HOA President expressed devastation for his community and stated many residents were kayaking to get around and were still evacuating residents with airboats from the Florida Wildlife people. It reportedly took 5 days for the water to go down. Click on the link to view the full story.
Discrimination Against Parents in the Workplace
Can employees be fired because their children are screaming in the background of a zoom conference? Employers better think twice about taking action against those with children versus those without children. You may recall in 2020 the husband who reportedly walked through his wife’s zoom conference naked. That must be more offensive to many people than children. At any rate, children are protected class under the US Discrimination laws. Employers cannot take action against employees based on them having children. Leave a comment, and tell us of the weirdest thing you’ve seen during a Zoom meeting.
Homeowner Associations Look to Box Out Investors from Buying in their Communities
Corporate and Wall Street landlords are snapping up properties in Community Associations across the country. Some associations are taking action to prevent corporate rentals causing some homeowners to protest that they should be able to sell their property for the highest amount to any willing buyer. Courts and state legislatures across the country are looking into this. Let us know your opinion by leaving a comment.
Virtual Meeting and Electronic Voting Survey Results
The Community Association Institute finds that nearly 80% of community members and managers prefer online meetings. Virtual meetings increase member participation and widen the pool of available directors. Many states are implementing laws that authorize online membership meetings.
New Legislation Protects Homeowner and Condo Associations Rights
Imagine associations no longer being able to collect assessments from property owners to pay for maintenance. CAI leaders in North Carolina were able to introduce legislation to prevent a very real threat to associations from cases related to the Marketable title act.
11-Foot Alligator Viciously Attacks Private Golf Community Member in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, an HOA reportedly refused to mow around the detention pond. The homeowner wanted the area trimmed and took it upon himself to do so. Apparently not only did the homeowners association not want the area trimmed but neither did the alligator living in the pond. The alligator was much less friendly than the HOA. The alligator attack to the homeowner, drug him into the detention pond. Sadly, he died from the injuries. Who do you think is liable? Let us know your opinion by leaving a comment.
Texas HOA Blocks Section-8 Renters Pushing Out Black Residents
Bloomberg.com reports a Legal Showdown Over Section 8 Discrimination is brewing in Dallas, TX. An HOA is banning renters who receive federal housing aid and setting up a high-stakes civil rights battle over fair housing and racial discrimination. This isn’t the first time that rental restrictions have received fair housing scrutiny. Let us know how you feel about rental restrictions by leaving your thoughts and possible suggestions here.
Residents file federal lawsuit against Renaissance Tower HOA
Residents of a condo association in Myrtle Beach, SC filed a federal class-action lawsuit against their Board and the companies that manage the building. The lawsuit claimed that HOA Board members knew for years the structural steel components supporting the building were steadily deteriorating… yet failed to properly do their part in keeping up with any inspections or repairs needed to prevent this damage. The owners were forced to evacuate in early October, after the building was deemed unsafe by the county code enforcement. It was reported the foundation was deteriorating, substantially worse than what previous analysis was able to show.
Maryland Couple Says Strangers Have Moved into the Home They Just Bought and Refuse to Leave
A couple in Clinton, MD recently signed a contract with a bank to buy a new home, when the wife reportedly drove by the property and saw a U-Haul in the driveway with people moving in. The couple called the cops after the two men moving into their new home were refusing to leave. The men showed the cops, paperwork, which resembled a lease for the property. The cops reviewed the lease and deemed it inaccurate but claimed at this point it looked more like a civil matter between the two parties.
Announcing board election results early can be a mistake
A condo Board in New York City had four out of their seven board positions open in their 2021 election. The election process was administered by a third-party vendor where owners were able to vote in person, by proxy, by directed proxy or by online ballot. When the results were sent out, the Board President recognized there was something wrong and realized she never turned in the 65 undirected proxies she had tendered. Looking to stay away from any controversy, the Board sent notices out on their decision to hold a new election. However, some owners took the matter to court because they believed those that were originally announced as the winners, rightfully earned their positions. The court sided in favor of the owners and a new election was prohibited.
Calif. city incentivizes drought-tolerant landscaping
The City Council in Indian Wells, CA unanimously approved a funding match for the Coachella Valley Water District Rebate Program. With California in a severe drought, the push for desert homeowners to conserve use on their lawns is imperative. This program will offer their residents money to switch to more drought-tolerant landscaping procedures. The council agreed to match $500,000 in funding, allocating $300k of the total funding for residential projects, with $200k for HOAs. These conversion projects can be up to 5,000 sqft of turf for residential properties and up to 15,000 sqft for HOA properties.
Developer to pay $330K settlement to condo reserve fund
The City News reports Billionaire condo developer in New York City agrees to $330k to Board after failing to disclose major gas piping issues after converting the rental units to condos. The Board president and two other members reportedly filed a complaint back in March 2019 after a gas leak in the building raised concerns about the developer’s transparency and proper maintenance management. The HOA will put the settlement towards the reserve fund and homeowners will now receive free gas stoves. The developer must also pay another $150k in penalties to the state.
A modern-day Chautauqua: Laurel Park will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a range of events
A community in North Hampton, Massachusetts recently celebrated their 150-year anniversary of its founding. Laurel Park is known for being an eccentric neighborhood and home to unconventional thinkers. For a century and a half, they have prided themselves on supporting free speech and free thinking throughout their community. State Representative, Lindsay Sabadosa presented the HOA with a House resolution congratulating the community on its anniversary at a celebratory ceremony in the tabernacle.
Developers look to limit loud parties at short-term rentals
New developers in Rutherford County, TN are looking to limit a homeowner’s ability to rent out their homes on third party sites, like Airbnb, by imposing rules through the HOA. Over 1900 people in Tennessee alone were denied rentals last Halloween after Airbnb introduced their “Party Ban” which added more restrictions on house parties to prevent further rental complaints from neighborhoods. Airbnb has also prohibited guests without a history of positive reviews from making one-night reservations in entire home listings. This of course will not eliminate the ability for a homeowner to rent out their homes completely, but it does eliminate people from buying a home with the sole purpose of turning it into a rental.
Florida homeowner without insurance while trying to close previous mold claim
A homeowner in Palm Harbor, FL awaits HOA’s help after her property insurance company went into liquidation. She reports finding heavy mold in her recently acquired apartment and opens a claim with her property insurance company, that goes into liquidation shortly after. After receiving $2k from the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) the homeowner still needs about $17k to complete the work. Her claim became one of the thousands that the FIGA had to pick up from companies that had gone under. Months later, the homeowner is still waiting for the HOA’s help covering some of the costs.
Black Woman in Myrtle Beach Upset After Parking Space Number is Only One Painted Black
A HOA in Myrtle Beach, SC upsets the only black homeowner in their community after painting her designated parking space numbers black. The homeowner states the HOA recently painted the parking spaces in white and noticed hers where the only ones painted in black. She contacted the HOA immediately and says the HOA reportedly showed no concern at all. The HOA’s excuse was that maintenance mostly likely ran out of paint.