Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) | The Michigan Community Association Law Blog

Category Archives: Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

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

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Kevin Hirzel

In Fox Bay Civic Assn, Inc v Creswell, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued May 30, 2019 (Docket No. 343384), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a homeowners association could enforce its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

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

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Kevin Hirzel

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

Avoiding Religious Discrimination Claims in Condominiums and HOA’s

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Kevin Hirzel

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

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

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Kayleigh Long

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

WXYZ Detroit interviews Kevin Hirzel on emotional support animals and Senate Bill 663

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Kevin Hirzel

WXYZ Detroit (Channel 7) recently interviewed Kevin Hirzel regarding the increase in requests for emotional support animals and how Senate Bill 663 would help to curb requests for fake emotional support animals. The interview discusses how requests for emotional support animals can be made under the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act, as emotional support animals are

Michigan Senate Bill 663: Michigan cracks down on fake emotional support animals

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Kevin Hirzel

On November 28, 2017, Senator Peter MacGregor introduced Senate Bill 663, which would criminalize a fake request for an emotional support animal or service animal. Requests for emotional support animals and service animals continue to increase under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, MCL 37.1101 et seq. While a legitimate request for an emotional

Kevin Hirzel interviewed on the HOA News Forum Podcast on May 30, 2017

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Kevin Hirzel

It was great to be a guest on the HOA News Forum Podcast on May 30, 2017! A link to the podcast can be found here. Topics that were discussed are as follows: 1. What are the most common disputes in condominium and homeowners associations? Unauthorized Modifications to the Common Elements Sensory Offenses – Smells and Noises Common Element Repair

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