The Board of Directors is charged with making the important decisions of the association. Whether it’s hiring a management company to deal with the day-to-day affairs of the association or making the tough decision to pass an additional assessment to cover the cost...
Articles
Mastering Condo Maintenance: Why Legal Guidance is Key for Crafting a Responsibility Matrix
A responsibility matrix is a summary of association and co-owner responsibilities for maintenance, repair, and replacement of the condominium common elements and units. Because condominium master deeds, even when clearly drafted, can be complicated and often...
Reconsidering the “Open and Obvious” Doctrine: Implications of the Michigan Supreme Court’s Landmark Decision
In a significant ruling that affects property owners throughout the state, including Michigan’s community associations, the Michigan Supreme Court substantially altered premises liability law. On July 28, 2023, the Court ruled in the cases of Kandil-Elsayed v. F &...
Your Accountant Wants You to Know About Section 57 of the Condo Act
Condominium associations with annual revenues exceeding $20,000.00 should take specific note that Section 57(2) of the Michigan Condominium Act provides that an independent certified public accountant must perform an annual review or audit of the association’s...
Delayed Decisions on Accommodation Requests Lead to Trouble
A recent federal court decision in U.S. v. The Dorchester Owners Association, No. 20-1396 (E.D. Penn. Jan. 25, 2023), is instructive as to how boards of directors can put their associations at risk when they fail to make timely final decisions on accommodation...
Service Dog Appropriately Barred from Workplace
Condominium and homeowner's associations are seeing an increase in the number of requests for accommodation of emotional support animals. That has correlated to rising numbers of disability discrimination lawsuits and claims of failure to accommodate. Educated board...
Short-Term Lessors Lose Another Appeal
The Michigan Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion in Apache Hills Property Owners Association, Inc. v Sears Nichols Cottages, LLC (Docket No. 360554) which reconfirms how to interpret leasing and use restrictions. This case involved a dispute over the...
To Keep or Not to Keep: Navigating the Legal and Social Challenges of Backyard Chickens in Michigan Condominiums
Keeping backyard chickens has become increasingly popular over the years as more and more people seek to live a sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. But is it legal for Michigan community association residents to keep chickens in the backyard of their...
Why Associations Must Be Aware of Changes to the Marketable Record Title Act
Updated as of March 28, 2024 As discussed in more detail below, the State legislature amended the Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA) in 2019. While many community associations may not be familiar with the MRTA since its provisions historically have not affected...
Be Aware of Potential Disparate Impact Discrimination Claims in Your Association
In community association administration, disparate impact claims can arise when a seemingly neutral policy or practice has a disproportionate negative impact on a group protected by fair housing laws. For example, communities occasionally ask us whether they can...
Owners and HOAs Can Remove Discriminatory Restrictions from Recorded Documents
The time is always right to do what is right. Martin Luther King, Jr. A new Michigan law went into effect on December 13, 2022 called the Discharge of Prohibited Restrictive Covenants Act (“Act”). This Act gives Michigan property owners and Michigan community...
Leveraging the Power of Committees in Associations
When you're shopping for a new place to live, you probably consider a lot of factors – location, schools, taxes, and the community itself. You're essentially interviewing the neighborhood to see if it's the right fit for you. But once you move in, it's easy to feel...