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Facts: An association sued a member for violating community building restrictions. The member converted his garage to a recreation room without board approval and in violation of the governing documents. The governing documents provide that all homes are to be used for “none other than single family residential purposes with usual and appropriate outbuildings and a private garage.”

High energy costs and environmental concerns aren't the only reasons community associations should undertake energy-saving measures. Already, various state legislatures have taken steps to spur associations in a “greener” direction.

Some states have passed laws making it easier for members to use more energy-saving devices. For example, Florida, Hawaii, and Utah have laws that specifically safeguard clothesline-drying rights. And states such as Nevada and Alaska don't allow associations to prohibit solar panels and other power generators.

Q In some cases, I have heard that the law limits our association's collection rights against members who are serving in the military. If this is true, can you please explain the limitations and how our association can verify whether a defaulting member is indeed serving in the military?

Facts: A member submitted a building plan to the association's architectural review committee. The committee denied approval of the building plan because it did not comply with the setback requirements. After numerous attempts to amend the community's setback requirements, the member filed a discrimination claim, alleging that the association had discriminated against him on the basis of his race. The association hired a defense attorney, incurring $4,331.99 in legal bills.

Facts: A condo association sued an insurer for failing to compensate the association for windstorm damage caused by a hurricane. The association had purchased a commercial residential insurance policy that provided coverage for loss or damage to the condominium building.

Facts: An association member constructed a shed on his property. The shed was approved by the town's building inspector and received a certificate of compliance. The association sent the member a notice stating that the shed violated certain provisions of the governing documents. The member sued the association, claiming that the board lacked the authority to issue him a violation notice.

Ruling: A New York court ruled for the member.

Facts: Worried about short-term rentals in the community, an association's board decided to amend the governing documents to restrict rentals to 30 days or more. The board sent out ballots, and 132 of the 168 ballots were returned. The proposed amendment failed because 36 owners abstained from voting, and of those who voted, the amendment received only 59 percent of the vote.

Facts: An association sued the builder of the condominium building for breaching its implied warranty of habitability—that is, its guarantee that the building is fit to be lived in. The association presented evidence of leaks into the units, inadequately sloped decks, loose railings, improperly installed windows, and other structural problems.

More and more first-time condo buyers are seeking environmentally friendly features in units and buildings. Many condominium developers are responding by incorporating various environmentally friendly elements into their buildings' designs.

While technology has made conducting business more efficient, it has also created the potential for new legal problems. “Unless you're sure that your company will never be in a lawsuit, you should be concerned with the costs and hazards of electronically stored information,” says attorney Robert Machson, an e-discovery strategy expert. Electronically stored information (ESI) includes any data stored electronically, such as email, documents, voice messages, and digital images.