Tag Archives: Virginia

HOA’s ‘poor decisions’ lead to multimillion dollar jury verdict

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Sometimes an HOA board’s poor decision leads to human tragedy. And that tragedy, in turn, opens up the Association to huge liabilities in personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. The latest report comes to us from Florida, the result of a bicycle accident. In April 2016, James Schnurr was cycling behind his wife, Christine, when he crashed into a pole on the bicycle path of Jonathan’s Landing, in Jupiter, Continue ReadingHOA’s ‘poor decisions’ lead to multimillion dollar jury verdict→

HOA, condo, & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (April 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Updated April 29, 2019 7:35 PM EDT This month: a bumper crop of HOA embezzlement and fraud investigations, arrests, and plea deals. Most of the crimes were committed by former HOA board members or managers. A common theme in these reports — the embezzler makes all kinds of lame excuses for stealing from neighbors, and then tries to bargain with the HOA to avoid criminal charges. Quite often, white-collar Continue ReadingHOA, condo, & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (April 2019)→

How your HOA can kill your home-based child care business

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Last week I posted a legislative update of new HOA, condo, and co-op statutes in Virginia. One of those bills H1853, recently enacted amended the home-based business provisions related to association-governed, deed restricted communities. Today I’ll clarify my previously stated opinion, and explain why I doubt that newly enacted amendments will effectively prevent HOAs from shutting down in-home child day care services.   Overview of H1853 (2019) Here’s Continue ReadingHow your HOA can kill your home-based child care business→

Virginia HOA, condo, co-op legislation – transparency and property rights (April 2019)

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  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities According to several new state laws, Virginia HOAs and condominium associations will be required to provide greater transparency to homeowners and homebuyers. Developers must also make POAs aware of all common stormwater facilities. And CC&Rs and can prohibit home based child care businesses. No more special assessment surprises Virginia already boasts one of the country’s more stringent home buyer disclosure packets from sellers of HOA-governed property, including a Continue ReadingVirginia HOA, condo, co-op legislation – transparency and property rights (April 2019)→