Deed Restrictions

Animals June 12, 2019

Michigan Court Rules that Homeowners Association Did Not Violate Fair Housing Act in Refusing Fence for Emotional Support and Service Dogs

In Fox Bay Civic Assn, Inc v Creswell, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued May 30, 2019 (Docket No. 343384), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a homeowners association could enforce its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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Condominium Document Enforcement January 10, 2018

Enforcing Speed Limits in Michigan Condominium and Homeowners Associations

Introduction The overwhelming majority of condominium and homeowners associations in Michigan govern residential developments. Accordingly, many community associations have concerns about residents or guests traveling at excessive speeds throughout the neighborhood. With the growing utilization of common interest communities, more and more associations are seeking to create and enforce their own speed limits within their respective developments. For example, some…
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Deed Restrictions December 5, 2016

Michigan Court of Appeals Rules that Deed Restrictions Recorded Outside of the Chain of Title are Unenforceable

In Petersen Financial LLC v Twin Creeks LLC, issued November 22, 2016 (Docket No. 329019) (Published Opinion) the Michigan Court of Appeals held that deed restrictions that were not within the chain of title were not enforceable. In 2000, Twin Creeks, LLC owned the complete parcel of land that was located in the Twin Creek Development (hereinafter "Twin Creek"). In…
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Deed Restrictions February 19, 2016

Michigan Court of Appeals Rules that Amendments to HOA Restrictions Require Unanimous Consent

The Michigan Court of Appeals recently made the following significant rulings that impact Michigan Homeowners’ Associations in Conlin v Upton, Michigan Court of Appeals Docket No. 322458 (November 24, 2015) (Published Opinion): The absence of an amendment provision in the original declaration of restrictions for a subdivision precluded a HOA from later amending its declaration with less than unanimous consent…
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