June 2, 2025
In a ruling reinforcing the need for consistency in architectural approvals, the Illinois Appellate Court recently sided with homeowners who challenged their association over alleged arbitrary and subjective building requirements. The case, Patel v. Prairie Lakes Homeowners Association of Illinois, Inc., 2023 IL App (2d) 230158-U, offers a cautionary tale for association boards attempting to enforce design restrictions beyond the…
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February 6, 2025
A condominium association’s governing documents contain restrictive covenants that can help preserve property values, protect shared resources, and ensure a harmonious living environment. A condominium association should enforce these restrictive covenants uniformly to ensure there is no disparate treatment of unit owners. Board of Directors of Plum Creek Condominium Ass’n v. Oleg Lorman, 2013 IL App (1st) 121198-U, revolves around…
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December 20, 2024
Each condominium association has governing documents which set forth the contractual relationship between the association and the unit owners. One of those governing documents is the condominium bylaws. A condo association’s board of directors is obligated to enforce the declaration and the bylaws to ensure that each member of the condominium association is abiding by the governing documents. Failure to…
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November 7, 2024
Enforcing the governing documents plays a key role in successfully operating a community association. Unruly behavior by a unit owner can lead to unhappy neighbors and a potential decrease in property values. Therefore, it is imperative that a community association’s board understand the remedies at its disposal to address improper conduct. One potential remedy is to levy a fine against…
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June 11, 2024
Enforcing condominium bylaws is essential for maintaining the harmony and integrity of a community. At Hirzel Law, we understand the complexities involved in this process and offer a straightforward four-step approach to ensure compliance and resolve conflicts effectively. Here’s a detailed guide on how to enforce condominium bylaws in Illinois, incorporating our expert process: Step 1: Identify and Document the…
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February 8, 2024
Can your HOA’s restrictive covenants or condominium documents ban sex offenders? The ability to ban sex offenders from homeowners associations has become a controversial issue in recent years. Until recently, many attorneys across the country believed that some type of ban on sex offenders was permissible. This was largely based on a New Jersy case, Mulligan v. Panther Valley Property…
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