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Association Discriminated Against Blind Homeowner

Facts: A homeowner who served on her community association’s board of directors sued the association for civil rights violations and violations of the Fair Housing Act Amendments (FHAA) and state laws. The homeowner was legally blind and had requested that the board provide her with versions of the documents that other members received, but in a readable format for blind individuals. The board refused to reasonably accommodate her disability. Eventually, the homeowner resigned from the board.

Asking Renter to Abide by Noise Policy Wasn’t ‘Harassment’

Facts: A neighbor of a renter in a condominium building complained about excessive noise coming from the renter’s unit. The association neither sided with nor against the renter, but it did attempt to mediate the dispute by informing the renter of the building’s noise standards several times.

Is Your Association’s Ban on Rentals Unreasonable?

If community members are allowed to rent their units without any restrictions it can create a huge problem for other members, whose privacy and right to enjoy their homes might be affected. That's because some renters are inconsiderate; they don't have a vested interest in the community. And if your community is near the beach or an attraction like a ski resort, the so-called "peak" season could bring a large influx of renters.

Avoiding Liability When Divulging Membership List

With the proliferation of social media, YouTube, and photo-sharing websites, it may seem like personal information is everywhere—and easy to get. But in an era of what some people call “oversharing,” association managers need to remember that members still are entitled to some measure of personal privacy. You could be faced at some point with a member’s request for a membership list. Prepare yourself for this request by having a plan for protecting the association when it divulges that information.

Don’t Wait Too Long to Object to Members’ Requests

The provisions in an association's governing documents help keep its community uniform, orderly, and safe, partly by setting requirements that members must meet when they wish to improve their property or make changes to their homes. Most associations have what is known as an architectural review committee that fields requests for changes and determines whether they should be allowed.

Rein in Unruly Board after Abuse of Power Is Discovered

What should you do when your association's board doesn't act in the best interest of the community, fails to treat homeowners fairly, or doesn't conduct business ethically? A board member code of conduct can eliminate unprofessional behavior by providing for the removal of corrupt board members and including information that board members can use as a guide for acting in the best interests of the community again.

Are You Overlooking Elderly Members in Community?

Although many elderly members in your community are capable of living independently, sooner or later you may have an elderly member who has trouble coping with day-to-day concerns, such as managing money or keeping his unit tidy. An elderly member who has trouble coping may neglect normal upkeep in his unit. Oversights can lead to property damage and safety concerns.

Use Board Member Code of Conduct to Eliminate Unprofessional Behavior

Ideally, association boards would act in the best interest of the community, fairly treating homeowners and ethically conducting business to further the interests of the community. Unfortunately, board members sometimes stray from the mission statement and purpose of the association, using the “power” of being on the board to stack the board with friends or members who will side with them when it comes time to vote on issues.

Statute of Limitations Precluded Collection of Fines

Facts: A homeowner made improvements to his community’s common area that weren’t approved by the association. The homeowner was fined. He later declared bankruptcy. The association filed a “proof of claim” against the homeowner. The homeowner objected to the claim. A California bankruptcy court ruled in favor of the homeowner after it determined that the association’s claim was time barred under the state’s statute of limitations for that type of claim. The association appealed.

Homeowner Was ‘Jointly and Severally’ Liable with Renter to Pay Assessment

Facts: Twenty-eight of the more than 1,000 units in a community were purchased by one homeowner. The homeowner leased the units to renters. The homeowner claimed that the renters were responsible for paying the monthly assessments for their respective units. For several years, monthly assessments weren’t submitted by the majority of the homeowner’s units. The monthly assessments were $35 when the homeowner purchased his units; they were increased to $45 and then $50 by the board of directors over the course of several years.