Community Association News National News Florida News Legal News National News WY: Man gets probation in Fox Park embezzlement A Gillette man charged in connection with a massive embezzlement scheme involving the Fox Park subdivision has avoided prison time. OR: Homeowners say taxpayer-funded builder won’t fix leaks A single mom says her builder has refused to fix her leaky home even though the house is still under warranty and is part of a development that was funded by taxpayers. UT: Neighborhood watch shooter gets prison "Pure crap." That’s what 3rd District Judge Mark Kouris called Reginald Campos’ insistence he fired in self-defense at a fellow neighborhood watch advocate during a confrontation on a Bluffdale... MS: Water shut off to St. Andrews condo residents Two weeks ago, the St. Andrews Golf Course in Ocean Springs was shut down. On Monday, residents living in 61 of the condos surrounding the golf course had their water turned off. GA: Flag flies after fight with Cherokee neighborhood association But a Cherokee County Superior Court judge ruled last week the association's enforcement was arbitrary and unreasonable, and that the 2005 Freedom to Display the American Flag Act passed by Congress... NC: Judge-Providence Downs homeowners can seek new association board Union County civil court Judge Christopher Collier ruled in favor of a group from Providence Downs, a Marvin area subdivision, in a complaint filed against the neighborhood’s homeowners association. CA: Rossmoor residents complaining about coyotes Tension is mounting because the number of attacks have increased - and could rise further as roadwork disrupts the animals' shelter, said David Lara of the Rossmoor Homeowners Association WA: Developer fined for failing to provide safe drinking water to subdivision The state Department of Health has fined a Cowlitz County developer $21,000 for failing to maintain safe drinking water for his Kalama-area subdivision, and the situation has gotten so bad that the... IN: Ex-Blair Hills association manager admits guilt in theft The former manager of the Blair Hills Community Association has pleaded guilty to embezzling close to $200,000 from the association during a five-year period. FL: This neighborhood association is really tough If you want to buy a home in the Bridgewater neighborhood, you'd better be prepared to pay thousands to its neighborhood association. Fla man, community settle spat over patriotic sign A South Florida police official will take down the patriotic display on his garage door in a compromise with his homeowner association. IL: Evanston won't press condo owner for $635 tax bill A family's refusal to pay a special a $635.02 special assessment tax for an alley paving project that they said resulted in the unnecessary destruction of a tree will not cost the family their... NE: Townhome Fee Hike Upsets Homeowners Jeremy and Brandi Tumbleson said they are due an explanation for what caused a due increase at the Brookside Townhome Association in Bellevue. WV: Lawsuit resembles ‘religious hostility’ It seems the Oakland Heights Property Owners Association has found some things: traffic on the short piece of road leading up to the church driveway and noise from playing children disturb them. PA: Judge hears Sandy Street condo arguments Three months after a 26-unit Sandy Street condominium building was condemned for faulty construction a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge heard legal arguments Wednesday morning on how the... NE: HiMark Estates ordered to repay unauthorized homeowner's fees HiMark Estates, a southeast Lincoln housing addition, must pay back unauthorized homeowner association fees after breaching its covenant by not obtaining a two-thirds approval from all homeowners,... CA: Homeowner will fight HOA to keep pigeons A defiant Laguna Niguel homeowner will not remove a loft of pigeons from his back yard, despite receiving a formal complaint letter from the Seagate Niguel Homeowners Association board IL: Hand scanners to improve security at Marina City but not convenience While the condo association at Marina City is hoping to increase security, a plan to install hand scanners at entrances to both towers is not without critics. OK: After 50 years, Quail Creek still going strong as residential anchor Quail Creek, after 50 years, is its own center of gravity - a residential anchor of north Oklahoma City. IL: Carol Stream condo building partially collapses Several west suburban families are out of their homes after part of their condo building collapsed early Tuesday NC: HOA cracks down on lawns That's why Reier was surprised when a letter arrived from her homeowner's association telling her - and dozens of her Carpenter Village neighbors - that their lawns don't meet their homeowner's... NJ: In Lawrence, Carter homeowners win tiny tower battle Score one small victory for the Carter Road Homeowners Association in its ongoing lawsuit with the township over the proposed construction of two 140-foot cell phone towers near their homes. AZ: In Haven for Over-55 Set, Age Police Hunt Violators Who Shriek or Toddle From behind the wheel of his minivan, Bill Szentmiklosi scours the streets of Sun City in search of zoning violations like unkempt yards and illegal storage sheds. Mostly, though, he is on the... FL: Developer has residents outraged over maintenance fee jump Homeowners' maintenance fee soars from $25 a month to $242. Would Zacco foreclose on those who don't pay? AZ: Arizona HOA's turn to hardball tactics; critics call system inequitable Arizona homeowners associations are not accepting a resident's foreclosure as an excuse when it comes to collecting unpaid dues, assessments and fines. Florida News Alabama Supreme Court favors Huntsville doctor in Florida condo dispute The Alabama Supreme Court Friday ruled in favor of a Huntsville physician in his battle with a condominium developer in Northwest Florida. Community Living: Board can request personal information to extend payments Q: Our board has approved a special assessment and offered a payment plan. I have offered to the board an optional payment plan to extend my payments. Months after sinkhole, residents barred from Tampa condo Residents of a condominium building still are barred from their homes nearly two months after a yawning sinkhole gulped down a big chunk of parking lot and a car and came perilously close to the... Richard White: Vero Beach resident seeks clarification on fee grace period Q. If an association sends an owner an assessment, how many days of grace can an owner use before a late fee is assessed? This neighborhood association is really tough If you want to buy a home in the Bridgewater neighborhood, you'd better be prepared to pay thousands to its neighborhood association. Fla man, community settle spat over patriotic sign A South Florida police official will take down the patriotic display on his garage door in a compromise with his homeowner association. Man robbed, carjacked when arriving home at Boca condo Boca Raton police are investigating an armed carjacking that happened in a condo parking garage Monday night. Florida condo and HOA laws available on smart phones Thanks to the latest technologies, it has never been easier to access information about Florida condo, homeowners and co-op association law through mobile devices, smart phone applications and... Pensacola mortgage company owner, wife plead guilty to fraud The founder of a Pensacola mortgage company and his wife have pleaded guilty to federal charges that they created a fraudulent condo-flipping scheme. City and Fore Ranch take steps as sinkholes appear Marano said the Fore Ranch Master Community Association has hired Geotech, an engineering firm that handles geological problems such as sinkholes. Palm Coast sued over utility pacts "We would like to not be required to sign the annexation agreement to receive the water and sewer service," Rick Staly, president of the Palm Coast Plantation Homeowners Association Developer has residents outraged over maintenance fee jump Homeowners' maintenance fee soars from $25 a month to $242. Would Zacco foreclose on those who don't pay? Outspoken owner could be risk for board Our community has one individual, not a board member, who seems to have an opinion on everything. While he is not violent in his actions, he is an influence on board actions as he is very boisterous... CONDO LINE: Create money-handling system Q: Can a nonlicensed CAM office clerk in an HOA handle any cash or check funds of the association? What statute answers this question? Coral Springs HOA orders cop to remove his 'God Bless America" sign The Springs Hamlet association says Milenkovic's collection of magnetic letters constitutes a sign, and that it's in violation of their rules that state "no signs shall be displayed without written... Dolphin Tower's troubles stack up Just as vexing to displaced residents, though, are signals that Great American Insurance Co., of Ohio, intends to deny a claim made by Dolphin Tower's homeowners' association that would pay for... Community Living: Deed restrictions explained Q: You mentioned deed restrictions. What are those? Do you have any examples? Bulk buyer's condo coup busts small-time investors Sixty-five percent of units at The Kensington owe fees to the homeowners association. Maintenance has suffered Receiver alleges developer fleeced his own company Rental fraud has been uncovered at the San Michele condominium in West Palm Beach, according to Richard Schurr, the receiver on the project Homeowner association forum focuses on new laws The West Florida Chapter of the Community Associations Institute is sponsoring the Sept. 9 forum at the Venice Community Center. Condo community wants to golf cart at night Resident retirees in this gated condominium community now are driving for legalized use of golf carts at night on private roadways in Hillsborough County. Residents blame coyote for two cat deaths in North Naples subdivision The discovery of two dead pets in two weeks has a pair of residents in a North Naples subdivision convinced a coyote is on the prowl Dunedin condo residents must work together to fix problem It is difficult to figure out why the residents of one building in the Royal Stewart Arms condominium complex in Dunedin have spent four years arguing with each other rather than hastening to... Miami bank forecloses on Delray Beach condo, sues developers for $26 million TotalBank has sued a Delray Beach real estate development company and its principals and has foreclosed on a Fisher Island condominium used as collateral, as the bank seeks repayment of a $26 million... Battle Over Smoking in Condos Catches Fire in Florida If you can smell it, it can hurt you. That contention has churned up debate among condominium owners over the right to smoke cigarettes in one's own unit versus a neighbor's right to breathe clean... Legal and Legislative News TX: Lawsuit filed in balcony collapse A lawsuit has been filed against the people connected to a Southeast Austin condominium where a balcony collapsed, injuring more than two dozen guests at a party last month Alabama Supreme Court favors Huntsville doctor in Florida condo dispute The Alabama Supreme Court Friday ruled in favor of a Huntsville physician in his battle with a condominium developer in Northwest Florida. UT: Neighborhood watch shooter gets prison "Pure crap." That’s what 3rd District Judge Mark Kouris called Reginald Campos’ insistence he fired in self-defense at a fellow neighborhood watch advocate during a confrontation on a Bluffdale... IL: Law Would Tighten Regulations On Condo Conversions Mayor Richard M. Daley is introducing a new city ordinance to protect apartment renters whose buildings go condo, and to make sure condo buyers know about building conditions GA: Flag flies after fight with Cherokee neighborhood association But a Cherokee County Superior Court judge ruled last week the association's enforcement was arbitrary and unreasonable, and that the 2005 Freedom to Display the American Flag Act passed by Congress... NC: Judge-Providence Downs homeowners can seek new association board Union County civil court Judge Christopher Collier ruled in favor of a group from Providence Downs, a Marvin area subdivision, in a complaint filed against the neighborhood’s homeowners association. ME: Condo association sues Auburn manufacturer A condominium association at Sunday River Ski Resort has filed suit against an Auburn precast manufacturing company, charging improper installation of a fresh water cistern. NJ: "Twin Rivers" makes its way into other cases Cited frequently in case re: signs, free speech NC: Appellate court to hear Gates Four annexation case A western Cumberland County community's fight against annexation is scheduled to be argued today before the N.C. Court of Appeals IL: Evanston won't press condo owner for $635 tax bill A family's refusal to pay a special a $635.02 special assessment tax for an alley paving project that they said resulted in the unnecessary destruction of a tree will not cost the family their... PA: Judge hears Sandy Street condo arguments Three months after a 26-unit Sandy Street condominium building was condemned for faulty construction a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge heard legal arguments Wednesday morning on how the... CA: VILLAGE NORTHRIDGE HOA v. STATE FARM FIRE insured party to release must follow rules governing rescission before suing the insurer for damages CO: Judge rules in favor of Yacht Club in Dillon parking dispute After months of angst and disagreement over the fate of parking at Dillon's Yacht Club condominiums, District Court Judge Terry Ruckriegle ruled in favor of the homeowners association. NY: Queens condo owners sue developer for $20M More than half the owners of Arris Lofts in Long Island City seek damages from Andalex Gp. for alleged negligence and professional malpractice, including misappropriating funds. OH: Murano condo owners sue developer over number of sales Fifty-one owners of condominium units at the 43-story Murano at 21st and Market Streets in Center City filed suit this morning against developer Thomas Properties Inc. of Los Angeles. MD: Driveway dispute divides Annapolis Roads community "That's probably the most ridiculous part of the whole thing: It's just a driveway," said Craig Lindsay, who has helped his father vigorously defend it from other neighbors and the Annapolis Roads... CA: Deal ends Rolling Hills landslide dispute It's been more than five years since a chunk of hillside in gated Rolling Hills crashed 100 feet onto a curving street below, blocking the roadway and leaving eight multimillion-dollar homes... WY: Jury: Woman guilty in Fox Park case A Gillette woman charged in connection with a massive embezzlement scheme involving the Fox Park subdivision has been found guilty of seven felony charges. GA: Canton Resident Wins Flag Pole Fight A Canton man, who has fought for more than a year to keep his 16-foot flag pole up, is celebrating victory after a judge ruled in his favor on Wednesday. Illinois Ramps up Solar Development Gov. Patrick Quinn of Illinois signed into law on Aug. 17 two bills designed to dramatically increase the state’s solar energy. House Bill 6202, referred to as the "Solar Ramp-Up Bill," passed the... NV: Judge dismisses homeowner association lawsuit A recent court ruling has valley homeowner associations breathing easier. NV: Complaint alleged excessive charges, racketeering in HOA case A recent court ruling has valley homeowner associations breathing easier, but an attorney for investors on Friday promised the fight will go on. NJ: Lake Shawnee decisions in conflict After five years of litigation, the New Jersey Appellate Division has ruled that three of the 550 property owners at Lake Shawnee in Jefferson Township will not be required to pay a mandatory... IL: Judge says Wonder Lake dredging votes were proper The Wonder Lake dredging project will move forward after a judge dismissed a long-time resident’s efforts to nullify two key votes on the project. VA: Mill Creek embezzler sentenced The former treasurer of the Mill Creek Homeowners Association, who embezzled funds from the group, was given an active prison sentence this morning of one year and 10 months