Fair housing laws are crucial to ensuring equal opportunity in housing, aiming to eliminate discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. These laws are primarily governed by the Fair Housing Act of 1968 in the...
Homeowners and condominium associations in Michigan can now amend their rules to remove racially restrictive language. While the Fair Housing Act and other laws have been in place to prevent discriminatory practices in housing, the act did not apply to homeowners’...
Every co-op and homeowners' association (HOA) in the Detroit area depends on its members' assessment fees to stay financially solvent. Without this vital revenue stream, most associations will quickly run out of money for routine maintenance like lawn mowing, snow...
Many in the homeowner’s association think that board members and officers are interchangeable or do the same thing. This is not the case. There are differences, and they are important to note. The entire board of directors is responsible for managing the HOA. A select...
Deciding to live in a co-op in Michigan means adjusting to a new kind of housing arrangement. Co-ops are not at all the same thing as an apartment or condo. They have very different rules and regulations that must be adapted to. The rules are much stricter on average....
There are many benefits to being part of a homeowner’s association. However, there are many horror stories about homeowners’ associations imposing ridiculous or expensive rules. The rules seem to result from a board on a power trip rather than making life better for...
Every homeowner's association has its unique challenges. However, lack of communication seems to be a recurring theme until a dispute arises. HOA boards can force tenants to communicate, but they may get better results if they initiate the conversation. Strong...
Living in a condominium can be a great experience – you have all the benefits of living in a community while still having your own private space. However, it's important to be aware of the rules and guidelines that govern condominiums as violating them can lead to...
Housing cooperatives have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more Americans decide that they’d rather live in a close-knit community alongside people with similar goals and priorities. While living in a housing co-op can be quite pleasant,...
By definition, housing co-ops are more exclusive than other types of housing, such as condominiums and apartments. Thus, the board of a co-op can be more selective in what they choose to require of their shareholder-residents, and which accommodations they choose to...