October 1, 2015 1 min read

Proposed Amendment to the Michigan Condominium Act: House Bill 4919 (2015): Authorizes Board of Directors to Initiate or Defend Legal Actions on Behalf of and Against Co-Owners Without Restriction

On September 29, 2015, representatives Klint Kesto (primary sponsor), Brandt Iden and Hank Vaupel introduced House Bill 4919, which would modify the Condominium Act, MCL 559.101, et. seq. House Bill 4919 would amend MCL 559.160 as follows:

Sec. 60.

(1) Actions on behalf of and against co-owners shall be brought in the name of the association of co-owners.  The association of co-owners may assert, defend, or settle claims on behalf of all co-owners in connection with the condominium project.

(2) The board of directors of an association of co-owners has the power to assert, defend, or settle claims on behalf of all co-owners in connection with the condominium project.

(3) The articles of incorporation for an association of co-owners and the condominium documents shall not restrict the power of the board of directors granted under subsection (2). Any provision in the articles of incorporation or the condominium documents that requires a vote of the co-owners to authorize the board of directors of an association of co-owners to incur legal fees and costs in the exercise of the power granted under subsection (2) or that otherwise seeks to restrict that power is void.

Later that same day, the proposed bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee.  Our law firm will be monitoring House Bill 4919 throughout the legislative process.  If you have any questions regarding this potential new change in the law or any other condominium issues, please contact our office.

Kevin Hirzel
About the Author Kevin Hirzel Managing Member
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Kevin Hirzel is the Managing Member of Hirzel Law, PLC, focusing his practice on condominium, homeowners association, and real estate law across Michigan and Illinois. A Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers — a distinction held by fewer than 200 attorneys nationwide — he has been recognized by Best Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and Super Lawyers, and is the author of Hirzel’s Handbook on operating condos and HOAs in both Michigan and Illinois. Read more about Kevin’s practice on his full bio at hirzellaw.com.