Muskegon Condominium Attorney

Document Amendments May 6, 2019

MCL 559.148: How to Relocate Unit Boundaries Under the Michigan Condominium Act

Michigan condominium associations and co-owners should be aware that the boundaries of condominium units are not necessarily fixed and may be changed provided that certain requirements are satisfied under the Michigan Condominium Act, MCL 559.101, et seq.  By way of example, a single co-owner may purchase adjoining condominium units in a traditional attached condominium and desire to relocate the boundaries…
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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In Stadler v Fontainebleau Condominiums Association, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued April 11, 2019 (Docket No. 343303), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that the plain language of the condominium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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Animals April 4, 2019

HOA Violates the Fair Housing Act by Denying a Service Animal in the Clubhouse

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…
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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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Collections August 1, 2018

MI Court Rules that MCL 559.208 Does Not Protect a Condominium Association’s Lien Priority after Taking a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure

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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Animals February 1, 2018

WXYZ Detroit Interviews Kevin Hirzel on Emotional Support Animals and Senate Bill 663

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…
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