March 2025

Rules & Regulations March 26, 2025

3 Legal Essentials for Michigan Condo Boards Adopting Rules

The governing documents of a condominium association are intended to address the various provisions and restrictions that apply to the co-owners and the association.  The condominium documents, however, simply cannot address each and every specific situation that may arise.  Or a provision in the condominium documents may address a topic in general terms without identifying how that provision is to…
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Board of Directors March 20, 2025

Michigan Court Confirms: Tax Foreclosure Sale Does Not Eliminate Obligation to Pay HOA Assessments

On May 12, 2000, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued an important decision in Lakes of the North Association v. Twiga Limited Partnership, clarifying that a Michigan tax foreclosure sale does not cancel the obligation to pay HOA assessments. This case is critical for condominium and homeowners association board members to understand, especially when dealing with delinquent accounts or foreclosed…
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Animals March 18, 2025

Michigan Court Rules that Livestock, Unauthorized Fences, and Off-Road Vehicles Violated HOA’s Restrictive Covenants

Disputes over whether exotic animals, such as chickens, can constitute pets under restrictive covenants are becoming increasingly common.  In Nemeth v DiGirolamo, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued March 12, 2025 (Docket No. 366595), 2025 WL 796149, the Michigan Court of Appeals considered whether four cows and a ram constituted “pets” under the deed restrictions. The case also…
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Board of Directors March 13, 2025

Michigan Court of Appeals Confirms HOA Board’s Right to Hire a Property Manager

The Michigan Court of Appeals recently reaffirmed that a homeowners association (HOA) board has the authority to hire a property management company for compensation, even when an HOA’s bylaws state that “agents” must serve without compensation. In Neuman v. Long Lake Shores Association, the court clarified that the term “agent” does not extend to third-party vendors hired to assist in…
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