Facts: A condominium association sued a town over who was responsible for repairing and maintaining the water lines from the public right-of-way to the community's shut-off valve. Usually, these shut-off valves are located on a public right-of-way or as close to it as possible. However, for an undetermined reason, the association's developer placed some of these valves well within the property lines of each unit owner. The trial court ruled for the town, and the association appealed.

Ruling: A New Jersey appeals court ruled for the association.

For co-op and condo boards waiting for the right time to make their buildings more energy efficient, this year may be the time to start taking steps to turn their desires into reality. In February 2009, President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, often referred to as the Stimulus Bill.

Facts: A member's housecleaner filed a personal injury lawsuit against the association. While cleaning one of the condominium units, the housecleaner slipped and fell on a wet tiled exterior walkway. The walkway is a common area that leads from the member's condominium down a stairway to the door of his garage. The lawsuit alleged that the association knew about the danger created by the wet tiles on the walkway but failed to make repairs. The trial court granted a judgment without a trial in the association's favor. The housekeeper appealed.

Small claims court is used to resolve relatively minor civil disputes in a fair, low-cost, and timely manner. If the money damages that you're seeking are relatively small (typically less than $5,000, although the amount varies by state) and the association's preference is for a speedy, inexpensive hearing in a less-formal venue, then small claims court may be a viable option.

A homeowners association in Davenport, Fla., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, mainly for an unpaid bill of more than $100,000 to the development's cable company.

The bankruptcy petition listed two creditors holding unsecured claims against the association: an outstanding debt of $105,305.45 owed to a cable company and $50,000 for legal services provided by an Orlando law firm.

Facts: A member sued the association and its board members for allegedly breaching their fiduciary duties by rubber-stamping a neighbor's application to build a home on an adjacent lot of land. The member also alleged that the neighbor's planned development would violate the governing document by interfering with the member's views, outlook, and surroundings. The association asked the trial court for a judgment without a ruling in its favor, and the trial court granted the association's request. The member appealed.

Facts: A dispute arose between a member and his association regarding maintenance of the common areas. The member claimed that the board breached its duties under the community's governing documents by refusing to maintain some concrete, stairs, and brick areas near the member's home.

Facts: An association asked the court to declare that some of the leases executed by its members were void. The complaint asserted that the leases violated leasing restrictions of the association's bylaws. The members then countersued, asking the court to declare that the restrictions were invalid.

The trial court denied the association's request to dismiss the member's counterclaim and declared that the leases were not void. The association appealed.

Ruling: A New York appeals court agreed with the trial court's ruling.

Facts: A condominium member asked the court to remove a lien for unpaid assessments filed by the association. At issue was whether the owner was liable for condominium assessments from the date of the unit's purchase at a tax sale through the date the owner's right to redeem the property expired. The trial court ruled for the condo association for the amount of unpaid assessments as well as reasonable attorney fees actually incurred. When the member appealed, the association asked the trial court for attorney fees incurred in defending a judgment on appeal.

Facts: A Colorado condominium association proposed a renovation project that included creating and selling two new condominium units. The association members voted unanimously to build and sell the two new units, and the members agreed that the new units would be offered for sale through a private auction to the members first.