Tag Archives: Massachusetts

HOA, condo & co-op case law and litigation highlights (July 2019)

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Case law books court legal appeal

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities, debgoonan@icloud.com This month: court decisions affecting amendment of CC&Rs, HOA priority liens, foreclosure standards, Fair Housing Act accommodations, and much more.    Court approves reduction of percentage membership vote needed for amending CC&Rs (CA) Did you know that sometimes a judge can make it easier for your HOA-governed community to amend its restrictions? The case of Orchard Estate Homes, Inc. v. Orchard Homeowners Alliance is one example. The Owners’ Association Continue ReadingHOA, condo & co-op case law and litigation highlights (July 2019)→

HOA, condo & co-op corruption and fraud round up (June 2019)

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Arrest handcuff fraud theft

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com This month’s roundup. Ex-treasurer gets one year to repay condo association. Law enforcement finally catches up with rental agent who allegedly cheated condo owners and vacationers. Police arrest former board member for alleged theft of almost $100,000.   Judge cuts former condo treasurer a break in plea deal When nearly $11,000 went missing from the condo association’s bank account, Stillwater Condominium Association filed criminal charges against their former Continue ReadingHOA, condo & co-op corruption and fraud round up (June 2019)→

States enact new laws regulating short-term vacation rentals (AZ, MA, WA – 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities City and town governments have been regulating short-term and vacation rentals for several years, especially with the growing popularity of online rental platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, and others. The battle over short-term rentals is controversial, often pitting neighborhood residents against owners and investors who earn substantial profit sharing their home. Local regulation typically results in inconsistent, piecemeal regulations from town to town. Not wanting to miss out Continue ReadingStates enact new laws regulating short-term vacation rentals (AZ, MA, WA – 2019)→

CT condo homeowners plead for help with their crumbling foundations

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Crumbling foundation repair Lakeview Condo CT

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   For the past three years, I’ve been following the crisis of crumbling concrete foundations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Debra MacCoy of Vernon, CT, and several other condo owners recently contacted me, and shared important details about the dilemmas and special challenges they face, as owners of condos and homes in common interest communities. The problem — defective concrete leads to crumbling foundations Dozens of towns in Connecticut and Continue ReadingCT condo homeowners plead for help with their crumbling foundations→