Call Us: (248) 986-2290

      
 

Condominium and HOA Update: Upcoming Changes to LARA Corporate Filing Submissions Starting October 30, 2017

At least once a year, property managers, attorneys or the association itself files corporate documents with the State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) on behalf of the association.  In a Michigan condominium association or homeowners association, certain documents such as Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or a Change in Resident Agent may be filed infrequently.  However, each condominium association and homeowners association in Michigan is required to file Annual Reports with LARA on a yearly basis and therefore each association should be interacting with LARA at least once each year.

For those property managers, attorneys or associations who previously used the MICH-ELF filing system, that system is being terminated and the new Corporations Online Filing System (COFS) will be available on October 30, 2017.
There is a significant change between how COFS works versus MICH-ELF.  Under the MICH-ELF system, attorneys or property managers could file documents on behalf of all their clients by using just the attorneys’ or property managers’ own MICH-ELF filing number.  Now with COFS, in order to log into the system, a person will need to know the CID number [Customer Identification Number] and the PIN number for each individual association.

According to LARA, current resident agents for Michigan associations should receive very soon a new ID#, CID and PIN for each individual association.  For example, if a property management company manages 60 associations and is the resident agent for all of those associations, the property management company should expect 60 new CID and 60 new PIN numbers to manage and maintain.  In all practical terms, this means that a law office or property manager will need to know each of its clients’ CID and PIN numbers in order to submit documents through the new COFS system as opposed to using one login for all the law office’s or property manager’s clients.  This is a significant change in how e-filing will take place.
Importantly, documents may still be submitted for filing by mail or in person as well as the new COFS system.  It is unclear whether acceptance by facsimile formerly permitted will still be allowed.

For those who desire additional information, please click on this letter from the Corporations Division and its FAQ webpage.

While the new system has not yet been implemented, in the future new boards of directors for condominium associations and homeowners association will want to request the CID and PIN information from the prior board.  If the prior board is unable to provide the information or refuses to do so, you can contact the Corporations Division to request the CID and PIN: CorpPIN@michigan.gov.

The attorneys of Hirzel Law, PLC focus their practice on condominium and homeowners association law. Our attorneys have extensive litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts involving commercial litigation issues and community association matters. We stand by our clients, offering quality legal representation and promptly responding to our clients’ needs. Contact Hirzel Law online or call 248-986-2290 to learn how our Michigan attorneys can help.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share Post
Written by

info@hirzellaw.com

No comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

%d bloggers like this:

Hi

Ask us anything, or share you feedback