Michigan Condominium Attorney

Condominium Document Enforcement April 16, 2019

Court Rules that the Michigan Condominium Act Permits Bylaws to Allow for an Association to Recover Attorney’s Fees for Defending a Lawsuit

In Stadler v Fontainebleau Condominiums Association, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued April 11, 2019 (Docket No. 343303), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that the plain language of the condominium bylaws permitted the condominium association to recover attorney’s fees and costs for successfully defending a co-owner’s lawsuit.  The court further held that the condominium bylaws were enforceable…
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Condominium Document Enforcement February 4, 2019

Michigan Court Upholds Condo Association Fines for Unauthorized Wind Turbine and Generator

In Oak Valley Estates Homeowners Association v Georgetta Livingstone, Unpublished Opinion of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Docket No. 338292 (January 22, 2019), the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a monetary judgment in favor of a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…
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Fair Housing January 16, 2019

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

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…
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Deed Restrictions January 4, 2019

Amendment to the Marketable Record Title Act puts Michigan Restrictive Covenants at Risk

On December 31, 2018, SB 671 was enacted into law, via 2018 PA 572, in order to amend the Michigan Marketable Record Title Act. SB 671 was a lame duck bill that may have drastic consequences for Michigan condominiums and homeowners’ associations in the future.  Based on the amendment to the Michigan Marketable Record Title Act, in certain circumstances, Michigan…
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Maintenance Repairs & Common Elements October 29, 2018

MCL 559.234 and Mich Admin R 559.111: Know the Rules Related to Shared Recreational Facilities in Condominiums

Recreational facilities in condominiums are often one of the many amenities that draw potential purchasers to a particular condominium.  Co-owners enjoy the use of recreational facilities such as barbeques, basketball courts, boat launches/slips, clubhouses, gyms, parks, picnic areas, pools, private lakes, saunas, spas or tennis courts in many condominiums.  Many recreational facilities are common elements that are located within a…
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