Study explores HOA power relationships of condo owners
Study explores HOA power relationships of condo owners : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities IAC is pleased to announce the recent publication of an HOA case study co-authored by West Liberty University Professor Michael J. Marshall, PhD, HOA Warrior author Shelly Marshall, and administrator of Independent American Communities, Deborah Goonan. The article, entitled HOA power relationship, problem-solving, and communication patterns during a major building renovation construction crisis, which was published in the journal Housing and Society (October 13, 2018), documents a case study of Continue ReadingStudy explores HOA power relationships of condo owners→
How government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax
How government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax : How many layers of government do we really need? By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Have you ever stopped to think about all the costs associated with owning a home? Property taxes. Homeowners, condominium, or cooperative association maintenance fees and assessments. Insurance. Short and long term maintenance. Homeowners and home buyers may not fully understand that living in a planned common interest community comes with several additional layers of financial obligation. Today’s article illustrates Continue ReadingHow government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax→
Where can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems?
Where can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems? : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities I get a lot of requests from homeowners and residents seeking help with HOA problems. What can you do when things go wrong with your HOA? It depends on the issue, but I try to guide readers to limited available resources. The truth is, while the HOA industry is very lucrative for its major stakeholders, it is very loosely regulated – if regulated at all – for housing consumers. Continue ReadingWhere can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems?→
10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts
10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Here on IAC, I’ve been following a growing trend. Subdivisions, and planned communities — many of them HOA-governed — are turning to Special Districts to pay for failing infrastructure and other neighborhood improvements. On this website, you can read about dozens of communities across the U.S., where homeowners look to their local governments to collect taxes or fees for various projects. When it’s not possible or practical for a Continue Reading10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts→

NJ Circuit Court rules condo association’s swimming schedule violates Fair Housing Act

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Three years ago, A Country Place Condominium Association, Lakewood, New Jersey, made national news when two of its residents clashed with the condo board over its sex-segregated swimming pool policies. This week the U.S. Third Circuit Court struck down the condominium association’s swimming pool policy as a violation of the Fair Housing Act, because the swimming schedule favors men and discriminates against women. The ruling overturns an earlier decision Continue ReadingNJ Circuit Court rules condo association’s swimming schedule violates Fair Housing Act→

California HOA Legislation: fair elections and management accountability (April 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Homeowner advocate alert: three California HOA bills to be debated in Legislative committees. SB434 and SB754 will be heard for the first time today at the Capitol. A second hearing on SB323 is scheduled for April 30th. If you live in California, now is your chance to let your lawmakers hear from you. SB323 HOA elections This homeowner-friendly bill is sponsored by Center for California Homeowner Association Law (CCHAL) and Continue ReadingCalifornia HOA Legislation: fair elections and management accountability (April 2019)→

Welcome Spring!

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Time to pause for a spring break over the holiday weekend. Enjoy the April showers, ☔️ spring flowers, and time with family and friends. Thanks for reading!   🙂

Montana HOA legislation protects private property rights

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Updated April 19, 2019 This week, Montana Senate Bill 300 passed both chambers of the state Legislature, as amended. Introduced by Senator Kenneth Boger (R), SB0300 upholds “use” rights of property owners in HOA-governed communities. The bill begins as follows: Section 1. Homeowners’ association restrictions — real property rights. (1) (a) A homeowners’ association may not enter into, amend, or enforce a covenant, condition, or restriction in such a Continue ReadingMontana HOA legislation protects private property rights→