Friday, February 28, 2014

Court case could increase cost for homeowners associations | HeraldTribune.com

Court case could increase cost for homeowners associations | HeraldTribune.com

"A pending opinion from the Florida Supreme Court could dramatically increase operating costs for thousands of homeowner associations statewide and substantially drive up condo owners' expenses. The looming decision is connected to a recent Florida Bar opinion that, if enacted, will force community association managers to hire attorneys to handle various administrative duties now done primarily in-house."

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The issue is that some of the things property managers do arguably constitute the practice of law.

General Assembly: Bill that would widen homeowners association powers hits a snag - dailypress.com

General Assembly: Bill that would widen homeowners association powers hits a snag - dailypress.com

"The bill had been moving along in the House and Senate, albeit with some resistance and controversy. But on Thursday the House voted down a Senate version of the proposal, signaling tough sledding. "Members felt uncomfortable expanding the power of associations who could not get that power from their homeowners," Del. Scott A. Surovell, D-Mount Vernon, said in an email. Surovell led the charge against the bill in the House. He also was the attorney for a Northern Virginia couple who fought their homeowners association over fines several years ago, leading to the court decision that precipitated this legislative fight."

Thursday, February 27, 2014

General Assembly: Homeowner associations may get more power - dailypress.com

General Assembly: Homeowner associations may get more power - dailypress.com

RICHMOND — Legislation that would give more power to homeowners associations cleared the Virginia Senate Tuesday. It has already passed the House in a slightly different form and seems headed for final passage. House Bill 791 would let homeowner and condominium association boards levy fines against property owners who run afoul of association rules, even if the power to issue those fines isn't written into the association's controlling documents.

Judge orders homeowner to mow lawn | News - Home

Judge orders homeowner to mow lawn | News - Home: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

After residents fought their neighbor for three years to get her to mow her lawn, a judge has finally ruled her grass must be cut down.

Neighbors said the grass grew well over 6 feet tall at Silverthorn Lane in the Walden Chase community. As of Wednesday night after the ruling, the residents are celebrating.

One of those neighbors, Carole Cooper, is ecstatic as the weeds and overgrown grass finally get cut at their neighbor Susan Trebbien’s home.

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As Jeff Foxworthy once put it, "If yew mow your front lawn and find a car, ya might be a redneck."

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

LakeField Hills Home Owners Association - Fall Enforcement Drive Recruitment Video on Vimeo

LakeField Hills Home Owners Association - Fall Enforcement Drive Recruitment Video on Vimeo

Many are called. But few are chosen. Do you have what it takes to uphold the law in Privatopia?

Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for the link. Enjoy.

General Assembly: Homeowner associations may get more power - dailypress.com

General Assembly: Homeowner associations may get more power - dailypress.com: RICHMOND — Legislation that would give more power to homeowners associations cleared the Virginia Senate Tuesday.

It has already passed the House in a slightly different form and seems headed for final passage.

House Bill 791 would let homeowner and condominium association boards levy fines against property owners who run afoul of association rules, even if the power to issue those fines isn't written into the association's controlling documents.

Associations have been doing this for years, but a recent court decision said they can't unless their charter spells out the power, according to the Community Associations Institute, an industry trade association.

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There was a Virginia Supreme Court decision some years ago that declared HOA fining an unconstitutional exercise of power reserved to the state. But in an odd twist, the Virginia Legislature and not the courts got the last word on what's constitutional in Privatopia when it comes to fines.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Another possible booze price hike looms over Wash. - seattlepi.com

Another possible booze price hike looms over Wash. - seattlepi.com

Wow. What a surprise!

"Since the end of Prohibition in the 1930s the state had tightly controlled the distribution and sale of liquor. But in 2011 Washington voters approved a privatization initiative that was supported by Costco and other retail interests. Costco spent more than $20 million backing Initiative 1183 and distributors also provided millions . Following privatization there have been multiple lawsuits and some consumers have complained about sticker shock in grocery aisles."