Category Archives: Board of Directors

US District Court Rules that Prior Recorded Condominium Lien takes Priority Over Federal Tax Lien to the Extent of the Amount Stated in the Lien Notice

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In Yarmouth Commons Ass’n v Norwood, et al., 299 F. Supp.3d 862 (E.D. Mich., 2017), the United States District Court held that a prior recorded condominium lien had priority over a federal tax lien but only to the extent of the amount stated in the lien notice. Facts The case involves a condominium unit within the Yarmouth Commons Condominium project.

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HB 4676: New procedures for removing discriminatory provisions from covenants and master deeds

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On May 24, 2019, Rep. Sarah Anthony introduced HB 4676 in order to make it easier for Michigan condominium associations and homeowners associations to remove discriminatory provisions from a covenant, declaration or master deed.  42 U.S.C. § 3604 of the Federal Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to: (c) To make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed,

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Michigan Court of Appeals rules that the failure to hold annual meetings does not deprive a nonprofit corporation’s board of directors of authority to act on behalf of the corporation

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Kevin Hirzel and Brandan Hallaq of Hirzel Law, PLC represented the Channel View East Condominium Association in this case. On July 2, 2019, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued an Opinion in Channel View East Condominium Association, Inc v Gregory V Ferguson, unpublished per curiam opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued July 2, 2019 (Docket No. 344149). The issue

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Residential Use v. Non-Residential Use in Michigan Condominiums

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In Michigan, many condominium documents contain a limitation that a Unit may be used for “residential purposes” only. Historically, an owner or the developer of a parcel of property could impose reasonable building, use, and occupancy restrictions on a parcel of property subject to public policy limitations. Kaczynski v. Lindahl, 5 Mich App 377; 146 NW2d 675 (1996). Lately, the

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Michigan Court rules that Homeowners Association did not violate Fair Housing Act in refusing fence for emotional support and service dogs

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In Fox Bay Civic Assn, Inc v Creswell, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued May 30, 2019 (Docket No. 343384), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a homeowners association could enforce its deed restrictions banning fences and that a disabled owner could not erect a fence in order to keep her emotional support and service dogs in

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HOA violates the Fair Housing Act by denying a service animal in the clubhouse

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In Sanzaro v Ardiente Homeowners Association, et. al., Docket No. 2:11-CV0-1143-RFB-CWH, 2019 WL 1049380 (D Nev, March 5, 2019), a federal court imposed a judgment of $350,000 in compensatory damages, $285,000 in punitive damages and awarded the plaintiffs attorney’s fees and costs against their homeowners association.  Based upon the facts of the case, the court determined that the homeowners association

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Avoiding Religious Discrimination Claims in Condominiums and HOA’s

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Overview of Religious Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act The Federal Fair Housing Act (“FHA”), 42 U.S.C. §3601, et. seq. prohibits a condominium association or homeowners’ association from discriminating against a potential purchaser or an owner based upon religious beliefs.  42 U.S.C. §3604 provides in pertinent part: As made applicable by section 3603 of this title and except as exempted

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