Detroit-area housing co-ops have an obligation to maintain shared amenities, including outdoor spaces. Depending on the structure of co-op buildings, the co-op may have responsibility for lawn maintenance, as well as for snow removal during the colder months....
There is an old saying that good fences make good neighbors. Essentially, the saying has to do with respecting boundaries and privacy rights. Unfortunately, cooperative housing creates proximity that can lead to flaring tempers and major disputes between residents....
Annual meetings for co-op, condo, or homeowners’ associations (HOAs) are crucial for maintaining a well-functioning community. These meetings provide a platform for residents to discuss important issues, make decisions, and vote on various matters. Typically, the...
Sitting on coop and condominium boards can be thankless volunteer job. The list of responsibilities is typically long, ranging from fielding questions from fellow residents to staff supervision to issuing assessments for major projects. Some board members may not...
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...
The increased use of emotional support animals, specifically dogs, has gained a semblance of acceptance due to their therapeutic benefits for people dealing with a variety of issues. Conversely, their rising prominence has also presented challenges to co-op boards who...
Homeowner's associations (HOA) often get bad reputations. However, an HOA is necessary in order to keep balance and harmony in a neighborhood. It is up to every resident to understand the rules of their own unique HOA. By moving into a house under an HOA's...
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...
People have other options beyond buying and renting a home in Detroit, Michigan. Co-op housing is a popular alternative to traditional housing methods. A co-op is a housing option where the owners don't own their units. Residents are shareholders within a community of...