Category Archives: Condo and HOA Cases

Is your Association Protected Against Theft, Embezzlement and Fraud?

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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

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How to Avoid Construction Liens in Michigan Condominium Projects

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Condominium associations hire contractors for capital improvements, repairs and for restoration work to the general and limited common elements, if appropriate. When a condominium association hires a contractor to provide labor, services or materials to the condominium and then fails to make payment for any reason, the contractor may record a construction lien against the condominium unit(s) in the condominium

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MI Court rules that MCL 559.208 does not protect a Condominium Association’s lien priority after taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure

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In Stonehenge Condominium Association v Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued July 24, 2018 (Docket No. 339106), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a condominium association’s lien priority over a second mortgage was extinguished when the association received a deed to the condominium unit from the co-owner instead of

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Hirzel Law on Fox 2 News involving controversial Westland boundary dispute

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Hirzel Law, PLC has been hired to resolve a boundary dispute between the owners of lots in a platted subdivision and the developer of a proposed 88 unit site condominium in Westland, Michigan.  The attorneys at Hirzel Law, PLC have had previous success in representing clients on issues related to adverse possession and acquiescence.  The proposed development is on the

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Can a Michigan condominium ban solar panels?

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  Approximately 25 states have adopted some form of a solar access statute that makes it illegal for condominium bylaws to contain a provision that completely bans the installation of solar panels. There are approximately 15 different states that have adopted solar easement statutes that uphold the validity of contractual easements for solar access. A full list of states that

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Mailboxes in Michigan Condominiums and HOAs

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In many Michigan condominiums and HOAs, the governing documents contain a provision creating an Architectural Control Committee (“ACC”) tasked with maintaining the overall aesthetics of structures within the community.  Normally, when an owner wishes to modify a structure, the owner may petition the association’s ACC for approval.  If the owner is denied the requested modification, this can lead to claims

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Michigan Court rules that association is not required to maintain road to township standards

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In McGue v Glenbrook Beach Association, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued March 6, 2018 (Docket No. 337785), the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the trial court’s dismissal of an owner’s claim against a Michigan Summer Resort Owners Association for failing to maintain the roads in the subdivision according to the township ordinance. In this case, James McGue

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