Conflicts between owners are inherent in shared community living. And whether misconduct is a result of an owner’s natural personality or a result of medical conditions affecting that owner, the Association and its Board cannot simply turn a blind eye. As there may be a number of corollary issues to carefully consider — rights… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Erwin Law Answers
I live in a condominium and the smoke from my neighbors’ cigarettes wafts into my unit through my open balcony window. Is there anything I can do?
Conflicts between smokers and non-smokers in shared living communities is a common source of friction. Just as with noise complaints, resolution of these disputes often must be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Unless your association amends its Declarations to ban smoking completely, your neighbor is in her right to smoke within the confines of her unit. That does not mean, however, that she may necessarily do so to the detriment of her neighbors.
Can a Homeowner Association equalize the percentage of each owner’s interest?
Whenever a homeowner or condominium association is formed by a developer, it is established by virtue of a Declaration which is recorded with the County Recorder. That Declaration includes a schedule of all of the Units in the association and their corollary ownership percentage. These percentages are the common element ownership percentages allocated to… Read more »
Can a condo board establish a rental cap in the building’s rules and regulations, or is a by-law update required?
In Illinois, one of the seminal cases regarding the implementation of leasing restrictions is Apple II Condominium Association v. Worth Bank & Trust Co. In that case, the court held that associations may prohibit leasing by either Board action or ownership approval, depending on the terms of their Declaration.
What can I do, as an agent, to provide my clients with additional value AFTER they’ve closed on their sale of purchase?
Buying or selling the right property — and at the right price – always feels like a big win, for everyone involved. And it is. So, oftentimes, real estate agents will finish one deal and move quickly on to the next. But the most successful agents understand that every closing opens up a whole host… Read more »
Must surplus funds from a completed homeowner association project be refunded to Owners or can it be used in other ways?
When a homeowner association has to undertake large capital repair projects, it will often pay for these projects by way of charging special assessments to the owners. Previously, when there were surpluses collected for those projects, Illinois law prohibited refunds to the owners, past or present. However, as of January 1, 2018, absent express directives… Read more »
Is an LLC the best structure for our real estate business?
Real estate investors and developers are often well versed in assessing properties, analyzing cap rates, zoning issues, property tax concerns and other matters related to real estate due diligence. Yet they often overlook, or give little importance to, the structure of their business and the framework they establish for the ownership of the properties they… Read more »
What are the critical components of a valid mechanics lien claim?
A contractor who doesn’t get paid for doing work on someone’s home or real estate property has a useful method of enforcing his or her collection rights – the filing and prosecuting of a mechanics lien against that real estate property. Mechanics liens are products of state law and, in Illinois, are authorized and governed… Read more »
How can I benefit from the new tax laws?
The recently-enacted tax law changes are substantial, and are already greatly affecting all areas of industry, real estate included.
What do I need to know about international buyers and sellers?
Whether foreign citizens are buying and selling pied-a-terres, vacation or second, even third homes here in the States, they are, quite clearly, a highly valuable target segment in the luxury home market.