MI
FOR HOA, CONDO, HIGH-RISE LEADERS
Michigan HOA / Condo Posts
Be Aware Of Potential Disparate Impact Discrimination Claims In Your Association
MAKOWER ABBATE GUERRA VOLLMER: In community association administration, disparate impact claims can arise when a seemingly neutral policy or practice has a disproportionate negative impact on a group protected by fair housing laws. For example, communities occasionally ask us whether they can restrict the number of people that live in a property based on the number of bedrooms. While the intent of such a restriction may be to ensure resident safety or protect against excessive noise, the practical effect, or impact, of such a policy could be to discriminate against families of a certain size. It is illegal under the Federal Fair Housing Act to discriminate on the basis of familial status, which covers individuals under the age of 18 living with parents or other guardians.…READ MORE
Jeffrey L. Vollmer
Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC
Michigan Passes Law Allowing Owners And HOAs To Remove Discriminatory Restrictions From Deeds And Other Recorded Documents
MAKOWER ABBATE GUERRA VOLLMER: A new Michigan law went into effect on December 13, 2022 called the Discharge of Prohibited Restrictive Covenants Act (“Act”). This Act gives Michigan property owners and Michigan community associations a new and easy way to affirmatively remove discriminatory restrictions from deeds and other recorded documents. If a restriction is found in recorded community association documents such as a subdivision declaration or condominium master deed, the Act removes the requirement for owner approval and instead empowers the board to act either on its own or at the urging of an owner. Indeed, if an owner makes written demand on a community association board to act to remove such discriminatory language, the Act requires the board to act.…READ MORE
Todd J. Skowronski
Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC
Leverage The Power Of Committees In Homeowners Association
MAKOWER ABBATE GUERRA VOLLMER: When you’re shopping for a new place to live, you probably consider a lot of factors – location, schools, taxes, and the community itself. You’re essentially interviewing the neighborhood to see if it’s the right fit for you. But once you move in, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the association that helps run your community. You might not know what’s going on, or how decisions are being made. Over time, this can lead to a sense of cynicism and disconnection. One way to prevent these problems is by involving more members in the association and giving them a chance to shape the decisions that impact their homes.…READ MORE
Sarah R. Karl
Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC
4 Reasons Your Michigan Condominium Or Subdivision Association Should Update Its Governing Documents
MAKOWER ABBATE GUERRA VOLLMER: Governing documents for Michigan community associations serve several functions. The foremost of these functions is to inform members and prospective members of the respective rights and obligations of membership in the association relative to the upkeep of the property and the operation of the community. Good documents serve these needs and enhance the marketability of the member’s property.
Updating to Reflect Current Laws.…READ MORE
John L. Finkelmann
Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC
Preventing Mold And Water Damage In Your Condominium Association: Proactive Steps For Managers And Boards
MAKOWER ABBATE GUERRA VOLLMER: From frozen pipes, broken appliance supply lines, to roof leaks and leaking drain pans, in townhome and attached condominiums, these and other sources of water intrusion can quickly wreak havoc for owners and the association if not handled properly and quickly. Whenever you have organic material (such as drywall or wood, for example) and moisture, you will eventually get mold. And once you have mold, you get mold spores. It is therefore crucial to act fast to halt the water intrusion and immediately begin the process to dry out the structure and perform repairs and cleanup, even if that means figuring out who pays for what later.….READ MORE
Todd J. Skowronski
Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC
Is It Safe To Run For The Board? Broad Protections Afforded To Directors In A Litigious Age
MAKOWER ABBATE GUERRA VOLLMER: The vitality of Michigan community associations is directly related to the quality of its volunteer board of directors. However, in this litigious age, potential directors may be concerned about the personal liability faced when their every decision may be questioned by countless other members. Confronted with that daunting prospect, interest in serving on the board may be stifled.
Yet, all is not lost, as industry and legal standards have developed to ensure that directors can put in the hard work needed to be done for the community, without constant fear of legal liability or retribution. This article will discuss those standards, which include:…READ MORE
Bree Anne Stopera
Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC
Michigan Service Providers
Accounting
Linda Strussione, CPA
Owens & Strussione, P.C.
50217 Schoenherr Rd
Shelby Township, MI 48315
(586) 323-3663
cpa@owensandstrussione.com
www.owensandstrussione.com
Banking
Thomas Engblom, Ph.D, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, ARM, CPM
Vice President Regional Account Executive Midwest
CIT Group Inc.
(312) 209-2623
thomas.engblom@cit.com
www.cit.com
Insurance
Scott Breslin
McCredie Insurance
5454 Gateway Centre, Suite A
Flint, MI 48507
810-767-6050
scottb@mccredieins.com
www.mccredieins.com
Legal
Jeffrey L. Vollmer
Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC
23201 Jefferson Ave.
St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
(586) 218-6814
jvollmer@maglawpllc.com
www.maglawpllc.com
Stephen M. Guerra
Makower Abbate Guerra Wegner Vollmer PLLC
30140 Orchard Lake Road,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 254-7603
sguerra@maglawpllc.com
www.maglawpllc.com
Reserves
Todd Walter, PE, PRA, RS
Reserve Advisors, Inc.
735 N. Water Street, Suite 175
Milwaukee, WI 53202
800-221-9882
todd@reserveadvisors.com
www.reserveadvisors.com
Restoration
Aneil Kersey
Concraft
1171 Centre Rd
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
248-265-3545
aneil@concraft.com
www.concraft.com
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