Category Archives: Board of Directors

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

Posted on by

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

Read more

Avoiding Religious Discrimination Claims in Condominiums and HOA’s

Posted on by

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

Read more

MCL 559.201 AND MICH ADMIN R 559.511: IS YOUR RESERVE FUND UNDERFUNDED?

Posted on by

Introduction In Michigan, the laws related to the governance of the formation and operation of condominium projects are found in the Michigan Condominium Act (the “Act”), MCL 559.101, et seq. MCL 559.205 of the Act requires a condominium association to maintain a “reserve fund,” to be set aside for major repair and replacement of the common elements. MCL 559.205 provides:

Read more

Michigan Court upholds condo association fines for unauthorized wind turbine and generator

Posted on by

In Oak Valley Estates Homeowners Association v Georgetta Livingstone, Unpublished Opinion of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Docket No. 338292 (January 22, 2019), the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a monetary judgment in favor of a condominium association, for fines and attorney’s fees and costs, after granting an injunction requiring that a co-owner remove solar panels, a wind turbine and

Read more

#communityassociationstoo: Community Associations’ Liability for Sexual Harassment Under HUD’s Hostile Environment Rules

Posted on by

In the summer of 2013, Kayla West began looking for a house to rent in Georgia. She came across a rental home owned by DJ Mortgage, LLC, and contacted Gene Andrews, DJ Mortgage, LLC’s property and leasing manager. Ms. West entered into a lease agreement for the rental property, and between August 2013 and October 2013, Ms. West alleged that

Read more

Legal marijuana: How will it impact Michigan condominium associations?

Posted on by

Michigan became the 10th state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana when voters approved Proposal 1 and enacted the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (the “Act”) on November 6, 2018. The highlights of the Act are as follows: A person that is at least 21 years or older may possess or consume marijuana. A person may possess

Read more

Is your Association Protected Against Theft, Embezzlement and Fraud?

Posted on by

Condominium associations and homeowners associations collect assessments from homeowners earmarked for the benefit of the community.  However, there are times when board members, property managers or, more generally, thieves misappropriate or embezzle monies intended to benefit the community. In 2017, the treasurer of the Black Forest Estates Association in Traverse City, Michigan was initially charged with multiple felonies each involving

Read more
« Older Entries