It's a condition that affects between three and five percent of all Americans, both men and women. With an aging baby boomer generation, experts predict that the problem is only going to get worse. It’s called hoarding and for condominium associations, particularly...
Last year, the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in Kandil-Elsayed v. F&E Oil, Inc., marked a pivotal change in premises liability law. The ruling clarified that the "open and obvious" doctrine would not entirely preclude liability claims regarding dangerous...
Whether big or small, every association will come across a need to hire an outside vendor. Hiring a vendor to complete any task for an association carries with it some level of risk. Typically, the bigger the project, the bigger the potential risk. Whenever a...
Insufficient parking in shared interest communities often leads to the inability to meet the parking requirements of all residents. While the adequacy of parking facilities may not have been a significant concern for community associations established in the 1970s or...
Effective September 18, 2023, some updates were made to the eligibility criteria for condominium and cooperative projects by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Known formally as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage...
By Amy M. Smith and Todd J. Skowronski HB 5019 is a new bill pending in the Michigan House that will require condominium associations in the state to conduct periodic reserve studies to help plan for future repairs and replacements. The Community Associations...
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...
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 &...
Unmanned aircrafts, commonly known as drones, are becoming increasingly popular both for recreational and business uses. Technological advancements have increased those potential uses and brought the costs down. Given the popularity, constant technological...
Michigan Condominium Owners of Units in Incomplete Condominiums Take Note – Significant Court of Appeals Victory Confirms Developers Who Drag Their Feet on Developing a Condominium in Michigan May Lose All Development Rights, Leaving the Undeveloped Land for the...
On October 13, 2021, the Federal National Mortgage Association issued Lender Letter to take effect January 1, 2022. This Lender Letter temporarily revises the eligibility requirements for lenders issuing loans that may be purchased by Fannie Mae for properties located in condominiums containing five or more attached units.
Assessments are the means by which all associations operate, and assessments provide the necessary income to maintain and enhance a community's assets to protect and maximize unit values. When assessment levels get too high, the very assessments that are essential to...