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Court Says Associations Can’t Ban Sex Offenders

A Pennsylvania court shot down an association’s attempt to prohibit lifetime registered sex offenders from living in its community. It made clear that associations can’t impose their own restrictions because the state already regulates where sex offenders can and can’t live (Lake Naomi Club, Inc. v. Rosado). The desire to keep sex offenders out of…

Are Community Associations Responsible for Lot Erosion?

A Kentucky couple claimed that they shouldn’t have to pay assessments on their two lots because, as a result of erosion, one had “ceased to exist as a recognizable land mass.” The state court of appeals disagreed (Thompson v. Lake Cumberland Resort Cmty. Ass’n*). William and Theresa Thompson own two lots in the Lake Cumberland…

Get Ahead of the Curve: Mobility Devices Pose Fire Risk

In November 2022, a lithium-ion battery that was charging caused a fire in a Manhattan high-rise building, injuring nearly 40 people. The fire was one of almost 200 caused by such batteries in New York City last year, resulting in 10 deaths and more than 200 injuries. Along with other fires across the country, it…

Employee Accommodation Requests: Selecting an Appropriate Accommodation

Managers usually have a lot of experience with owner requests for reasonable accommodations, but you might be less certain about how to proceed when one of your own employees seeks an accommodation. In the first part of this two-part article, we explained the basics of an employer’s duty to provide employees with reasonable accommodations and…

Lot Erosion Doesn’t Erode Obligation to Pay Assessments

A Kentucky couple claimed that they shouldn’t have to pay assessments on their two lots because, as a result of erosion, one had “ceased to exist as a recognizable land mass.” The state court of appeals disagreed (Thompson v. Lake Cumberland Resort Cmty. Ass’n*). The Lay of the Land William and Theresa Thompson own two…

Tips on Regulating Fire Pits in Community Associations

The popularity of home fire pits has surged over the past few years, but they come with risks. Here’s what you need to know to help your clients keep a lid on potential injury and property damage. The spreading of a fire from a pit to other areas isn’t the only concern associations should have…

How to Handle Employee Accommodation Requests, Part 2

Managers usually have a lot of experience with owner requests for reasonable accommodations, but you might be less certain about how to proceed when one of your own employees seeks an accommodation. In the first part of this two-part article, we explained the basics of an employer’s duty to provide employees with reasonable accommodations and…

3 Chronic Rule Violations and How Your Association Clients Can Get a Handle on Them

Most managers agree that dealing with rules violations is the worst part of their jobs. It doesn’t help that the same ones seem to occur again and again. Here are some of the violations that won’t seem to go away and how some associations and managers are tackling them. Associations have implemented a variety of…

Hot Tips for Regulating Fire Pits

The popularity of home fire pits has surged over the past few years, but they come with risks. Here’s what you need to know to help your clients keep a lid on potential injury and property damage. The Dangers The spreading of a fire from a pit to other areas isn’t the only concern associations…

Slip and Fall Lands Michigan Association in Court

Condo associations in Michigan have to be pleased with a new ruling from the state Court of Appeals. The court found that condo owners can’t sue their associations for premises liability (Janini v London Townhouses Condo Ass’n*). If it seems too good to be true, that's because it just might be. An owner left his…