Neighbor Problems: Dangerous Conditions Neighbors are creating problems and dangerous conditions for residents by not turning on lights Q: I have lived in the same 10-unit condo for over 20 years. It consists of several two to four-unit buildings grouped together. The buildings surround a shared parking area. Some units face the parking area while [...]
Should I have to pay for HOA Minutes? A reader is being asked to pay $100/hour for HOA minutes and other requested financial information. Q: I live in a townhouse development with a homeowners association (HOA). I've requested financial information dating back four years. I was told that there would be a cost to retrieve [...]
Why do HOAs have so much power? Q: What does the law say about an HOA rule that has not been enforced for years? What are the procedures the HOA board must take before they enforce the rule? Can a management company fine a homeowner $100 per day for not following rules? Or does it [...]
Condo parking space problem? What do you do if your neighbor's car is too big for their parking space? Q: My condo building was built around 30 years ago. The access to the parking area is in a Z shape and our parking spaces are perpendicular to the sidewalk. As I understand it, a parking [...]
Home Smoking Policies: What do your homeowner association rules say? Q: Our condo already prohibits any smoking in common areas or on balconies. Now the homeowner association (HOA) is considering demanding that smokers seal/close their air return vents -- where smoke can easily pass from one unit to another. Also it may demand that smokers [...]
Got homeowner association problems? You're not alone. Here's what you can do. Q: I read the article you wrote about first-time homebuyers and homeowner associations. The State of Florida has a lot of gated communities and along with that typically comes a powerful homeowners association (HOA). Unfortunately, I didn't know that when I moved and [...]
What are some common homeowner association problems? So many homeowners have problems with their homeowner association. Whether you live in a condo, co-op, a townhome or subdivision, each version of a homeowner association has a set of common problems that everyone will face. Sometimes it's mismanagement of the homeowner association itself or the association hires [...]
How does a homeowners association work? What are the governing documents of a homeowners association? Q: How does a homeowners association work? In Illinois, do changes to a condominium’s rules and regulations require approval from the condo association residents? And, how can homeowners change the association rules and regulations? Governing documents in a homeowners association [...]
The homeowner's association has rules and fees, and can foreclose on your home and put a lien on the property if you don't pay. Q: We have not paid our homeowner fees since early 2007 and I have received a Notice of Intent to Foreclose Lien from a local law firm. It states that if [...]
Always check your homeowners association fees and amenities before buying a home. Be sure there are no additional homeowners association fees or dues you have to pay before using common elements, like a community swimming pool, spa or workout facility. Do homeowners association fees provide access to a swimming pool and spa - but we [...]
