What happens when HOA rules aren’t enforced? This reader wants to know what happens if a board approves a request that violates governing documents. Q: I am on the board of directors of my homeowners association (HOA). The dues to our HOA are voluntary. We can't assess liens against any property in our community, we [...]
Coronavirus 2020: Will pools open this summer? Social distancing regulations could make it difficult for pools to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Q: Our 100-unit condominium has a small private locked outdoor pool that usually opens from Memorial Day to Labor Day. With COVID-19, what do we do this year? Should we open the [...]
Interpreting no smoking rules in condos. It’s up to the condo board to interpret and enforce rules and regulations about smoking for the association. Q: I live in a condo with four smokers living below me. They continually blow smoke out the windows and it rises and enters my unit. Our revised Rules and Regs [...]
Cannabis legalization and real estate: what happens to property values? How has recreational cannabis legalization impacted the real estate market? This year, Illinois joined 10 other states and Washington, D.C., in legalizing recreational cannabis use. Nearly $3.2 million of marijuana and cannabis products were sold on January 1st in Illinois, and there are still dispensaries [...]
Can an HOA restrict smoking? This condo owner was told the association doesn’t have the authority to keep owners from smoking in their units. Q: Can a condo prohibit smoking in the building except for owners? At the time the rule was changed on the grounds that those owners cannot have the right to smoke [...]
Can a board of directors change the bylaws? This townhome owner is worried about the board redoing the declaration and bylaws without owner approval. Q: I live in a townhouse community. Our association’s board of directors is redoing our declaration and by-laws without approval of the owners. They say they are just bringing the language [...]
Can condo associations ban cannabis smoking in units? This reader wants to know how cannabis smoking can be prohibited if cigarette smoking isn’t. Q: I recently received a letter from my condo association about a proposed amendment to our condo declaration to ban cannabis smoking in our units. The letter states "The Condominium Act states [...]
What are the responsibilities of a condo association? This reader says rodents are all over the property but the homeowners association board won't act. Q: Are there laws that govern rodent control for condos? My neighbor feeds birds 50 pounds of bird food at a time and now I have squirrels in my unit. Mice [...]
Can an HOA board change the rules governing exterior structures? This reader's homeowner's association board denied a request it approved for other owners. Q: I recently purchased a single-family detached home in a 55+ community which has a pergola covering my patio. I petitioned my homeowner’s association to allow the installation of clear roof panels [...]
HOA insurance: What coverage do you need to insure your unit? This is what homeowners association insurance covers and why you need insurance for your unit. Q: Our homeowner’s association (HOA) is requiring that each owner buy insurance to insure that owner against damage caused by their unit to the common areas of the association [...]
