Category Archives: Insurance Liabilities & Litigation

Will HOA pay when common sewer line backs up into your condo?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities How would you feel if you were the unlucky homeowner in your condominium — the owner of a lower level unit, and the repeated site of sewage backup whenever the pipe gets clogged? A Roy, Utah, homeowner in Rosewood Manor Condominium Association, Lorie Kerr, is that unlucky homeowner, and she’s extremely frustrated. A she explains to Matt Gephardt of KUTV, her condo has been damaged twice by raw sewage Continue ReadingWill HOA pay when common sewer line backs up into your condo?→

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Pasco County says 40-foot wide hole is a depression, not a sinkhole

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Because the subsidence is located on private property, homeowners must file claims with their insurance companies. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Land subsidence and sinkholes have been common in certain parts of Florida for  decades. But is seems as though we’re hearing more about the sudden development of depressions and holes as Florida’s population increases and the rate of new construction increases. An association-governed community in New Port Richey, River Ridge, is the most Continue ReadingPasco County says 40-foot wide hole is a depression, not a sinkhole→

After the fire: a reality check for condo owners

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Multifamily housing may seem to provide a low-maintenance lifestyle, an a more affordable alternative to owning or leasing a detached single family home. But, in fact, attached housing can cost more to maintain and insure in the long run. Plus, attached walls and stacked housing units create increased risk of fire, resulting in property damage, personal injury, and even fatalities. Condominium and homeowner associations present a higher risk for Continue ReadingAfter the fire: a reality check for condo owners→

Condo owners take up rooftop gardening (IL)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Rooftop gardens are relatively new additions to condominium and cooperative buildings. They are a creative way to add green space, color, and tranquility in the middle of a dense urban or suburban setting. Usually, if a condominium building has a communal garden or park on the roof, the association’s management company hires a landscape contractor to maintain them. But one Park Ridge (Illinois) condo association decided to fire their Continue ReadingCondo owners take up rooftop gardening (IL)→

Oakwood HOA faces lawsuit filed by parents of shooting victims

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities On May 27 (2018), according to local reports, four teens fired gunshots into the Clubhouse in the Oakwood subdivision in Lakeland, Tennessee, wounding three teenagers attending the party. A resident and member of Oakwood HOA says she rented the Clubhouse for a Sweet 16 birthday party for her goddaughter. Family members say they were chaperoning the party, and began turning people away shortly after 10 P.M. Witnesses say that four Continue ReadingOakwood HOA faces lawsuit filed by parents of shooting victims→