Condominium Law Group's passion and practice is the representation of condominium and homeowner associations. We also assist individual community members resolve disputes with their associations. We are industry leaders and provide cost-effective services and practical, innovative solutions to our clients.

We are always responsive to our clients' needs, and offer our clients the personal and individualized attention necessary to address and resolve their legal matters. When clients call our firm, they speak directly to one of our available attorneys. We make it a priority to promptly reply to written inquiries from clients. We listen to our clients to identify their goals and to fully understand the important issues involved.

One of our priorities is providing educational opportunities to condominium and homeowners associations, association managers, and community members. We are frequent presenters at industry events, and our intention is for our blog to serve as an extension of our commitment to education. 

Receivership - Brief Overview

November 14th, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
When a condo association files a foreclosure lawsuit, it is entitled to ask the court to appoint a “custodial receiver” who takes over the property, rents it out, and pays the proceeds consistent with guidelines in the Condominium Act (RCW 64.34.… Read More
Read More
Categories: Collections

Restricting access to common area roads: a “high risk” activity for Washington HOAs

November 12th, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
When owners are delinquent in paying assessments, an Association may wish to penalize the owner and provide an incentive to pay by restricting that owner’s access to common areas. A Washington HOA probably can restrict access to common areas such a… Read More
Read More
Categories: Board Conduct, Collections

Electing Your Board Without a Quorum

November 7th, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
Most Associations are required, both by law and by their governing documents, to hold an annual meeting at which they elect board members. See RCW 64.34.332 (applicable to New Act condos); RCW 64.38.035 (applicable to HOAs). A quorum, or minimum numb… Read More
Read More
Categories: Governing Documents

Allocating Risk When Hiring Professionals

November 5th, 2013
Posted By
Ken Harer
We frequently review contracts between associations and licensed professionals, like Architects and Engineers. One common provision that many of these professionals are inserting to their contracts is to limit any liability they have for performing t… Read More
Read More
Categories: Board Conduct, Contracts

Two-Prong Test for the Reasonableness of House Rules

October 1st, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
A recent Division II Court of Appeals case has set out a two-prong test for determining whether a house rule is reasonable. The case, Kawawaki v. Academy Square Condominium Association, concerned a dispute over a newly implemented house rule that dic… Read More
Read More
Categories: Governing Documents

Use Restrictions Must be Contained in a Condominium’s Declaration

September 27th, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
A recently decided Washington Court of Appeals case, Kawawaki v. Academy Square Condominium Association, has emphasized that use restrictions must be contained in a condominium’s Declaration. In 2005, the Kawawakis purchased a condominium intending… Read More
Read More
Categories: Governing Documents

Community Associations & the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA)

July 12th, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
Some communities provide housing for persons of a certain age (usually 55) or older, and may also exclude persons under the age of 18. This type of community is governed by the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA), part of the federal Fair Housing Ac… Read More
Read More
Categories: Condominium Laws
Tags: coa, community association, condo, condominium, fair housing act, fha, HOA, hopa, housing for older persons act, washington state

Reasonable Accommodations Under Disability Law

May 17th, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
A recent case out of Florida highlights the tension between federal disability laws and their practical application for community associations. The case, Bhogaita v. Altamonte Heights Condominium Association, Inc., arose out of a military veteranR… Read More
Read More
Categories: Condominium Laws
Tags: community association, condo, condominium, disability, discrimination, fair housing, HOA, homeowners association, reasonable accommodation, washington state

Who Should Association "Employees" Work For?

March 4th, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
Associations often have on-site or resident staff working on the property. Should the staff be an employee of the association, or an employee of the association’s management company? Reasons why it could be beneficial for staff to be employed by th… Read More
Read More
Categories: Contracts

Tenants in Foreclosed Properties

March 1st, 2013
Posted By
Valerie Farris Oman
Many clients and associations in general (both condos and HOAs) are in possession of properties that do not have “clear title.” This puts the association in the position of wanting to rent out the property until the lender forecloses. One… Read More
Read More
Categories: Collections, tenants
Tags: condo association, condominium, eviction, foreclosure, homeowners association, Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009, tenants, washington state
1 … 6 7 8 … 15 Last »