Housing co-ops are a way to make homeownership accessible to a broader segment of the population. Co-ops offer shared spaces and amenities and a feeling of community for residents while imposing specific standards for those living in the community. A co-op can be a wonderful place to live for people in a variety of circumstances. However, there can sometimes be challenges related to communities where many people live in close proximity and potentially influence each other’s property values. Some co-ops, for example, limit or forbid pets because of the damage they can cause to the property. The ..read more

Homeowners Association (HOA) management involves numerous responsibilities, and one crucial aspect often overlooked is conducting a reserve study. Reserve studies are so important that they are mandated in select states. While there isn’t a statutory requirement to conduct a reserve study in Illinois, annual reserve studies can enable your HOA to better ensure well-maintained facilities and amenities for your community. Your HOA also benefits from good property values, which can significantly lower the resident turnover rate. Preserving property values Homeownership is a significant investment ..read more

A housing cooperative or “co-op” is a residential alternative that operates like a nonprofit corporation. Residents are also members jointly owning shares that allow them to live in their homes. As shareholders, they have a say on how to run things around the development. However, despite the Fair Housing Act prohibiting unfair treatment against protected classes, such as race, sex, religion, disability or familial status, co-op housing discrimination persists. Knowing how to address this problem can help housing cooperatives avoid unwanted claims. Ways to fight co-op housing discrimination Al ..read more

As a co-op, your building must comply with a patchwork of federal and state anti-discrimination laws protecting people with disabilities. This includes the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), the latter of which requires cooperative housing communities to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled residents. These accommodations often take the form of exceptions for the disabled resident, such as a no-pets building allowing a blind resident to keep a seeing-eye dog. The law also requires co-op boards to ensure that the entryways, common spaces and indivi ..read more

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 want to maintain a pet-free environment, an appealing feature for those searching for housing. However, accommodations can be made with a legitimate request from a prospective tenant legally considered disabled. In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has mandates in place that residential properties prov ..read more

Entering or starting a business partnership could be a daunting task. However, it could take a venture to new heights through collaboration and efficient use of resources provided by both partners. This setup could help improve business operations and management, but it requires specific legal terms to draw precise lines between each partner’s assets and liabilities. A partnership’s complexities could result in disputes and disagreements if not addressed in writing. Fortunately, they could include these matters in the partnership agreement. This contract should contain the following essentials ..read more

A homeowners association (HOA) is the body that governs a housing community. It is an organization that comprises individual homeowners looking to maintain order and peace around the area of their residence and is especially popular in common interest communities (CIC). To establish order, they must have rules and policies in place. In Michigan, no specific state law limits the authority of an HOA. However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits these volunteers or elected officials from discriminating against protected classes. It extends to the way the HOA of a community governs the community ..read more

Operating a business is a significant responsibility. The company might enter into agreements and contracts with other parties to grow. As the company expands, it could encounter situations leading to legal liabilities. Fortunately, business owners could prepare and implement safeguards to minimize disagreements, including procedures for settling them fairly. Practicing the following measures could help dodge disputes: Establish vital decisions when starting the business. Matters involving investors, business goals and responsibilities could escalate quickly. Firmly establishing these details ..read more

With the rise of virtual companies, many online document services have popped up to offer people a seemingly effortless way to handle legal forms and paperwork. Since business owners constantly look for ways to save time and money, getting business contracts from these enterprises might appear to be a convenient solution. However, these services can hold pitfalls for businesspeople who are not careful. The following information explains the circumstances when an online legal document service may not be a good idea. Lack of personalization Online document services have limitations that a legal ..read more

If you run an HOA, you likely put in a diligent effort to minimize and avoid disputes with the homeowners living in your community. However, disputes still arise, and there are many different ways to resolve these issues when they come up. According to the Foundation for Community Association Research, approximately 29% of those living in the U.S. live in a community run by an association. If your association has a dispute to resolve with a homeowner or another party, the following methods of dispute resolution could be beneficial. Mediation During the mediation process, a trained, neutral med ..read more