Congratulations to Kevin M. Hirzel for being a member of the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 under 40 class for 2020! This program honors young professionals and leaders who reside or work in Oakland County and have achieved excellence in their profession. Out of 250 applications and nominations, Mr. Hirzel was hand selected by a panel of independent judges and
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On January 28, 2020, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new guidance on how housing providers, such as condominium associations, homeowners associations and landlords, can comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), 42 USC 3601 et seq. in evaluating requests for assistance and emotional support animals. HUD estimates that 60% of all Fair Housing Act complaints relate
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The Michigan Condominium Act, MCL 559.101, et seq., contains specific procedures for the termination of a condominium. If a developer has not sold any condominium units, MCL 559.150 permits the developer to unilaterally terminate a condominium project. If the developer has sold units, MCL 559.151 sets forth the voting process for terminating a condominium project. This article will discuss the
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Kevin Hirzel, Brandan Hallaq and Kayleigh Long of Hirzel Law, PLC represented the Fox Pointe Association in this case. In Fox Pointe Association v Ryal, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued July 23, 2019 (Docket No. 344232), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a co-owner was responsible for the pre-existing bylaw violations of a prior co-owner after
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In Stadler v Fontainebleau Condominiums Association, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued April 11, 2019 (Docket No. 343303), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that the plain language of the condominium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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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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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
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