The culture of your HOA depends on your particular community, but all HOAs are generally required to hold elections for leadership positions. In some communities these may be relatively well contested seats, and in others it may seem like the same people will be in...
Business owners want to keep their recipe for success a secret. But many know they must share information with third parties to continue growth and maintain a healthy bottom line. Because of this, many enter nondisclosure agreements with third parties they work with....
If you are one of the many people who have taken the responsibility of being on the board of directors for your neighborhood homeowners' association, you likely feel a great sense of pride in where you live. Your willingness to step in and contribute to your...
With refugees coming in from the Middle East, Michigan has seen an increase in Muslim populations. The good thing is that your landlord cannot discriminate against you based on your religion. You have rights as a tenant if your landlord does discriminate against you...
If you just became a new member of the board of directors for a homeowner's association, you need to be aware that HOAs are very powerful organizations. You also need to be aware that while most homeowners in the neighborhood welcome and abide by the HOA’s...
There can be a lot of confusion around HOAs and tax returns. While you may think that you do not have to file a tax return as an HOA because you are technically a nonprofit entity, the truth is that the government views HOAs as corporations. As a corporation, you must...
Millions of disabled Americans rely on service animals for physical and emotional support. But they did not always have a dog in the fight for fair housing. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) requires property owners and cooperatives to change no-pets rules so people with...
Many Michigan nonprofits use volunteers to serve the community in significant ways. Unpaid workers are often the heart and soul of any charitable organization. They are responsible for working directly with those who benefit from the organization’s mission as the...
When offering housing in a condominium, apartment or HOA environment, there are several regulations that your organization must follow. When it comes to the Fair Housing Act, organizations cannot discriminate against tenants due to disabilities. In fact, they must...
When we trust others to handle our assets, there is always a risk of something going wrong. However, when someone misuses your funds or property, there are also legal ways to correct the matter. Learning how to best protect yourself is a key way to make sure you are...