Long-term planning is one of the primary duties an individual undertakes when seated on the board of directors for a community association. There is a constant balance that must be found between a desire to keep assessment levels steady (and low) and ensuring that the items which the association is responsible for repairing, replacing and maintaining are properly handled in the short and long-term.
Articles, News and Resources
Communications: When the board has different priorities
The successful and effective administration of a community often depends on several players, each bringing a unique, and necessary, factor to the equation. This composition includes the diverse background of the community association board members, and potentially other resources, The successful and effective administration of a community often depends on several players, each bringing a unique, and necessary, factor to the equation. This composition includes the diverse background of the community association board members, and potentially other resources,
Mold Prevention and Water Damage: Proactive Steps all Community Association Managers and Boards Should Know
Written by: Todd J. Skowronski* Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC From frozen pipes, broken appliance supply lines, to roof leaks and leaking drain pans, in townhome and attached condominiums, water intrusion can quickly wreak havoc for owners and the...
Michigan’s Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions
On June 22, 2021, Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services rescinded Michigan’s COVID-19 epidemic orders. This action came some nine days ahead of the July 1, 2021 date that had been previously announced for the repeal of these orders.
Michigan’s New COVID-19 Order Increases Gathering Capacity
Written by: James Tocco Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services has issued an updated Gatherings and Face Mask Order. The new order, effective June 1, 2021 through July 1, 2021, repeals all capacity limits for...
Capacity Limits on Gatherings Remain Unchanged as Michigan Drops Most Mask Requirements for “Fully Vaccinated” Individuals
In response to updated guidance released on May 13, 2021 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services has issued an updated Gatherings and Face Mask Order. Fully vaccinated persons need not wear a mask in most...
Minor Changes Afoot as Michigan Updates its Gatherings and Face Mask Order
Gatherings and Face Mask Order Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services has issued an updated Gatherings and Face Mask Order that will loosen some of the COVID-19 restrictions previously put in place by the Department. Capacity limits on gatherings....
Some County Tax Foreclosures on Hold for 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has created economic difficulties for many individuals. In 2020, County Treasurers, in conjunction with and at the direction of the State, determined that it was appropriate to cancel all tax foreclosure sales. Since the moratorium in 2020 and...
Can you Foreclose on Just Unpaid Fines? How a Recent Decision from the Michigan Court of Appeals May Impact a Condominium Association’s Ability to Collect Unpaid Fines
In a unanimous but problematic decision issued on February 25, 2021 in Channel View East Condominium Association, Inc. v Ferguson (Docket No. 351888), a panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a condominium association did not have authority to...
Michigan Eases Certain COVID-19 Restrictions
As the third COVID-19 vaccine begins its rollout to selected populations in Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued an updated Gatherings and Face Mask Order that will loosen some of the restrictions that were previously put in place by the...
Protections Against Housing Discrimination Extended to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
The new presidential administration is expanding the government's enforcement of the federal Fair Housing Act ("FHA"). Community associations are subject to the anti-discrimination provisions within the FHA. The FHA expressly prohibits discrimination based upon "sex"...
State Extends Timeframe to File a Claim Under the Marketable Record Title Act
On March 29, 2019, significant amendments to the Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA) went into effect. Under these amendments, for a generic incorporation by reference like "subject to easements and restrictions of record" to validly preserve a restriction recorded...