Month: March 2009
Association Didn’t Violate Meeting Notice Requirements
Facts: In a four-unit condominium, a member sued the other three members of the association for allegedly violating the association's notice provisions for a meeting and breaching their fiduciary duties by voting for a proposed amendment.
Developer Didn’t Have Actual Notice of Condo’s Structural Defects
Facts: A Virginia condo association sued the condominium's developer for construction defects related to the exterior of the condominium buildings. The developer used a corporation and two limited liability companies to hold title to and manage development of the condominium project. The association alleged that the developer had made improper monetary transfers from the companies to him and used the companies to fraudulently avoid obligations owed to the association.
Protect Community from Fair Housing Violations by Outside Contractors
Communities often rely on a variety of outside contractors or vendors to perform services on their behalf ranging from landscaping to plumbing. If one of your members complains about harassment or discrimination by one of these contractors, it's not enough for you to apologize and explain that he doesn't work for the association.
Association May Be Liable for Slip-and-Fall
Facts: A member sued an association after she fractured her ankle when she slipped and fell while walking on the stairways and landing outside her condominium. The stairways and landing are within the common elements of the condominium property maintained by the association.
U.S. Foreclosure Filings Jump 30 Percent in February
Foreclosure filings in the U.S. climbed 30 percent in February from a year earlier as the worsening economy thwarted efforts by the government and lenders to prevent homeowners from losing property.
Avoid Pitfalls When Leasing Condo Roof Space to Wireless Providers
In these challenging economic times, some condo associations are stretched to think of new ways to offset dwindling assessments. One potentially lucrative option is to lease rooftop space for antenna installation. The proliferation of cell phones, broadband, paging, wireless Web, and related technologies has driven the demand for wireless companies to increase their coverage areas and data transmission capacities.
Assessing Liability for Water Damage Caused by Leaky Roof
Q Due to a leaking roof, rainwater entered the building and caused damage to a condo member's unit. As is typical, the master deed of our condo association requires the association to maintain the roof and other common elements, and requires condo members to maintain the interior of the units.