Articles published by:

Matthew Heron

Fair Housing August 3, 2016

Section 47a of the Michigan Condominium Act: Modifications and Improvements to Protect Persons with Disabilities

Persons with disabilities who reside in condominiums have several statutory protections available to them designed to prevent discrimination against the disabled.  These protections include the federal Fair Housing Amendments Act (“FHAA”), 42 USC 3604. The FHAA applies to housing, and to the provisioning of services in connection with housing.  While the FHAA addresses the circumstances where a person with a…
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Construction Defects & Developer Turnover June 17, 2016

What Do I Need to Know About a Conversion Condominium Under the Michigan Condominium Act?

Michigan law allows the creation of a condominium project under terms and conditions set forth in the Michigan Condominium Act, Act 59 of 1978, MCL 559.101, et seq. (the “Act”).  For the most part, the Act contemplates the creation of a new condominium project on land owned by a developer.  However, the Act also allows the conversion of an existing…
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Community Association Governance & Meetings May 12, 2016

Is a Community Association’s Board of Directors Required to Make Board Meetings Open to Association Members?

The State of Michigan primarily has two so-called “Sunshine Laws”- the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”), MCL 15.261, et seq., and the Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, et seq.  These two acts together help promote and create open government by making certain governmental meetings open to the public, and in allowing the public access to governmental documents and records.  In…
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Technology & Security April 5, 2016

Hoverboards: Addressing Their Risks for Condominium and Homeowner Associations

Introduction Two-wheeled personal mobility devices, or hoverboards, were the ubiquitous holiday gift in 2015.  Small, new and exciting, these contraptions quickly shot to the top of the wish list for many individuals, even those not technologically savvy.  Once the wrapping paper was cleared, however, hoverboards were revealed to present very real risks of danger.  In fact, one popular video showed…
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Financial Issues, Budgets & Reserves March 4, 2016

The Role and Importance of the Reserve Study in Determining an Appropriate Reserve Fund

Introduction A well-run condominium can be thought of as having two components: (1) physical assets, which are the buildings, structures, and grounds on which the condominium is located; and (2) financial assets, which are the funds necessary to maintain the condominium’s physical assets. So long as the financial assets are adequate to meet the maintenance needs of the physical assets,…
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