Tag Archives: Attorney fees

Illinois condominium, homeowners association legislative updates (March 2018)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Several 2018 Illinois bills, and angst over homeowner protections enacted in 2017, are stirring up controversy in Chicago and statewide. HB 5126 / SB3165 Last year, state law (Public Act 100-0292) was amended to provide condo unit owner access to contact information of co-owners, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails, for the limited purposes of conducting or discussing association business. Some condo owners and community association attorneys objected Continue ReadingIllinois condominium, homeowners association legislative updates (March 2018)→

Recipe for HOA abuse: too much power, no accountability

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Reports of fed up, frustrated, and fearful owners of property in association-governed communities continue to pop up all across the U.S. Rebecca Lindstrom of 11 Alive interviews several homeowners of Greythorne, a Douglas County homeowners association, and their stories and complaints repeat a familiar pattern.   How far is too far: Do homeowner associations have too much power? Rebecca Lindstrom, WXIA 10:43 PM. EDT March 27, 2017 DOUGLAS CO., Continue ReadingRecipe for HOA abuse: too much power, no accountability→

Homeowner says HOA management company swtich led to mixup

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities I’m posting this report because I have heard similar stories from homeowners all over the country, many of them involving the same management company, First Service Residential (FSR). According to homeowner Kristi Bray, Breckenridge Town Homes HOA (located in Gilbert, AZ) apparently changed management companies without notifying her. The new management company is FSR. But, unaware of the change, Bray continued to send her assessment checks to the old management Continue ReadingHomeowner says HOA management company swtich led to mixup→

CO: HOA attorney fee extortion?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities A few weeks ago, the Stapleton HOA was in the news for preventing a homeowner from installing a radon mitigation system in connection with the sale of her home. The HOA denied Melissa Crowder’s request for modification for dubious reasons. Legal experts and the Department of Environmental Health have gone on the record opposing the HOA’s decision, and in support of Crowder. Nevertheless, the HOA dug in their heels Continue ReadingCO: HOA attorney fee extortion?→