Category Archives: Fair Housing Acts

HOA, condo & co-op case law and litigation highlights (April/May 2019)

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Case law books court legal appeal

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Spring highlights: Fair Housing Act violations, important HOA priority lien opinions, reversal of an Idaho jury decision, and more proof that HOAs and developers must abide by their own governing documents.   HOA, CC&Rs cannot banish Adult Foster Care home from community Unpublished opinion, State of Michigan Court of Appeals Appellate Court rules that Michigan HOAs cannot use deed restrictions on use of property to exclude certain Adult Group Continue ReadingHOA, condo & co-op case law and litigation highlights (April/May 2019)→

HUD lawsuit: Bay View HOA accused of violation Fair Housing Act – again

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Bay View, a seasonal community near Petoskey, Michigan, is in the news again for its alleged religious discrimination policy. In July 2017, members of the Bay View Chautauqua Inclusiveness Group sued Bay View Association, claiming the HOA limited ownership of cottages to members of the “Christian persuasion.” A Judge has already heard arguments, and the parties to the lawsuit await the court’s decision. In August of 2018, board members Continue ReadingHUD lawsuit: Bay View HOA accused of violation Fair Housing Act – again→

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

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Swimming-pool-feet-in-water

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→

Laws alone won’t change hearts of your HOA neighbors

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Disability person in wheelchair

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities . Sadly, once again, I’m seeing reports of homeowners associations denying disabled residents the right to safely enjoy their homes. The latest reports come to us from Tennessee, where residents from two HOA-governed communities have filed complaints with the Tennessee Fair Housing Council (TFHC). Veteran, amputee denied wheelchair ramps by his HOA News Channel 5 and The Tennessean report that the Meadows of Seven Points HOA (Hermitage) ordered William Continue ReadingLaws alone won’t change hearts of your HOA neighbors→