Due Process

How to Turn $147 into $10,000 – the WRONG Way

Castilian Hills Homeowners Association v. Chaffins, (Wash. Ct. App. Oct. 22, 2018) The Facts Homeowner bought home in 2004. In 2016, the homeowner failed to pay his $147 assessment.  The homeowners association (“HOA”) assessed a $20 late fee. The homeowner still did not pay, despite the normal language in the HOA governing documents about interest, […]

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The Importance of Due Process—What is a “Notice and Opportunity to be Heard?”

Some states have statutes that require that Associations provide a notice and opportunity to be heard to a resident before the Association can fine them for a violation of the governing documents. Even though Wisconsin does not have such a statute, providing residents a notice of the alleged violation and opportunity to give their side

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Tenants Due Process Rights are NOT the same as Owners Rights

Harbour Island Condominium Owners Association, Inc. v. Alexander, No. B285755 (Cal. Ct. App. Jan. 24, 2019) Summary In Harbour Island, the Court of Appeals of California held that tenants renting a unit that was part of a condominium association did not have standing before the board concerning meeting attendance and fines imposed for violations. The

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YES – Wisconsin Condos and HOAs Have to Follow Their Association Documents

Frequently we are asked about either inconsistent association documents or advised that although our documents say X we have always done Y so won’t our past precedent control? The answer is NO.  Your documents control.  You must follow what your documents say, unless there is something in them that is illegal or against public policy.

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