A housing cooperative in Bronx, New York and two of its employees was recently charged with violation of the Fair Housing Amendments Act by HUD because it did not allow an “emotional assistance animal to be housed on the community. Read More...

A community in Aurora, Colorado is in the middle of a big fight over the removal of a wheelchair ramp by the association. Although the ramp was put back up by the fire department, disabled residents living on the second and third floor units in the community now want the association to provide hand Read More...

Every once in awhile, after being fed up with complaints about unruly teenager behavior, a board jokingly asks me “can we exclude teenagers from the community?” They’re often surprised when I answer yes, the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 (“HOPA”) allows communities to restrict its Read More...

The Colorado Civil Rights Division (“CCRD”) has determined that it will take further action to investigate claims of racial discrimination made by residents of a local mobile home park. The allegations are that the managers are towing cars owned by residents of Mexican descent while ignoring si Read More...

Many homeowner associations, at one point or another, have discrimination charges filed, or threatened to be filed, against them. For the most part, such threats and charges are a direct result of the association enforcing the terms of its governing documents and compelling residents to do something Read More...

It’s a bright spring morning and the market is beginning to defrost from its long winter chill. Spring purchasers are out, including Polly Purchaser who is looking to move her family to a new community. While looking at the community, Polly asks a board member what the community is like. The Board Read More...

In the classic film The Breakfast Club aspiring principal Richard Vernon watches over a brain, a basket case, an athlete, a princess, and a criminal, during a Saturday detention.  Does this sound like your Board?  The day at Shermer High School is an entertaining one, with this "Breakfast Club" of Read More...

Today’s fair housing laws impose many obligations on homeowner associations as well as prohibit many seemingly reasonable actions by associations.  And while there are many pitfalls, implementing the following practices will help you avoid stepping into what can be a snake pit of liability: Adopt Read More...

A major component to achieving success at trial is gaining credibility with the judge and jury.  While there are many actions you can take at trial, you really gain your credibility before the lawsuit is even filed.  Adhere to the following five points and your credibility with a judge or jury wil Read More...

The number of cases alleging discrimination on race-based or sex-based violations of the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) is legion. Under the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), it is unlawful “to discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwe Read More...