The Columbian: States stepping in to help resolve HOA conflicts Ombudsmen work to educate owners on rules and laws By Jenni Bergal, Steteline.org October 25, 2015 Has your homeowner association fined you for painting your house purple? Have you ignored … Continue reading
On April 17, 2014 the Washington Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision that struck down an amendment prohibiting short term leasing of homes. In doing this, the Court created a new strict test for amendments of covenants. Read the … Continue reading
Posted: December 30, 2014 In a published decision issued last month, the Washington Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court’s application of a one-year statute of limitation contained in the Washington Condominium Act. The section of the Act governing declaration … Continue reading
HeraldNet.com: Homeowners stuck with $15,500 sewer repair bill By Noah Haglund October 24, 2014 LYNNWOOD — The first whiff of a sewage problem at Ruth Crompton’s house arrived by mail. It came in the form of an Aug. 6 demand … Continue reading
The Daily News Online: Lexington neighbors fight for right to help with one another’s chores By Lyxan Toledanes May 6, 2014 Friendly neighbors at Lexington’s Tim Wa Estates scored a victory Tuesday afternoon after battling for months with local property managers. … Continue reading
By Valerie Farris Omen — October 1, 2013 A recent Division II Court of Appeals case has set out a two-prong test for determining whether a house rule is reasonable. The case, Kawawaki v. Academy Square Condominium Association, concerned a … Continue reading
Heraldnet.com: Fan’s 12th Man flag flies in face of homeowners association October 1, 2013 — By Bill Sheets, Herald Writer SNOHOMISH — Dale Carlson doesn’t know if flying his 12th man flag helps the Seattle Seahawks win, but he doesn’t like to … Continue reading
The Washington Court of Appeals recently issued a published opinion that invalidated the decision of a homeowners association’s covenants review committee. The committee had decided that an owner’s maple tree violated a restrictive covenant protecting views and had required that … Continue reading
The Seattle Times: Clothesline crusaders call laundry flap overblown By Nancy Bartley — August 14, 2013 A red sheet, a collection of white socks and a vintage bra or two flap in the breeze on Ella Burnham’s backyard clothesline in North … Continue reading
Posted – July 1, 2013 Almost every session of the Washington Legislature produces new laws pertaining to Washington condominium and homeowners associations. This legislative session resulted in the passage of two such laws – one governing speed limit enforcement and … Continue reading
Posted May 31, 2013 In late 2011, the board of directors of the Sudden Valley Community Association approved a budget that increased the membership dues by thirty percent. A short time later, a newly elected board of directors rescinded that … Continue reading
News from the WA State Chapter of Community Associations Institute – Posted May 28,2013 Green living sometimes can be at odds with community association living. As much as we all likely strive to live in an environmentally responsible manner, sometimes … Continue reading
By DANIEL NASH May 22, 2013 Bonney Lake woman Jeanette Kay Sturtz, 57, was sentenced Wednesday to 30 days community service and 15 days house arrest after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $35,000 from her homeowners association and a Puyallup … Continue reading
I was on Nevada Public Radio the other day with the state ombudsperson, an HOA lawyer, and an owner advocate. It was a good conversation. But there was something that kept going through my mind that I never got a … Continue reading
By Carole VanSickle – February 19, 2013 Vacation-home buyers are finding it harder and harder to finance their purchases, even with good credit and a healthy down payment. In some cases, the culprit behind their lenders’ skittishness is not even … Continue reading
By Brian Sullivan – February 1, 2013 There’s a mindset that craves the acquisition of any kind of authority and takes full—even excessive—advantage of it. Individuals afflicted with said mindset tend to amplify the significance of insignificant matters and insist, … Continue reading
By: Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 15, 2013 WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Nevada today returned an indictment against 11 individuals for their alleged roles in a scheme to fraudulently take control of homeowners’ … Continue reading
By David G. Savage – Tribune Washington bureau – January 15, 2013 WASHINGTON — A house that floats on the water and has no power to move on its own is a home, not a vessel, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The 7-2 … Continue reading