Community Associations

HOA Design Review Application Form

floor plan on table

Most homeowners’ associations require owners to submit a Design Review Application Form to approve changes to exterior features of their lots, be it a deck, patio, fence, driveway, or addition. Some even require approval to remove or add trees or change the grading. Owners often misunderstand their rights because the Design Review Application form includes […]

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Community Associations

Virginia Temporarily Relaxes HOA Open Meeting Statutes for Coronavirus

person writing on notebook

In March 19, 2020, I posted an article entitled, “Do HOAs Have to Meet Openly During the Coronavirus?” This explored how existing community association open meeting statutes might apply during the Coronavirus epidemic. The epidemic has since spread, particularly in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region and other cities. On March 23, 2020, Virginia Governor Ralph […]

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Foreclosures Litigation

Foreclosures and Evictions During Coronavirus

design desk display eyewear

Americans are now familiar with the “flatten the curve” tactic to prevent spikes in coronavirus cases from overwhelming health care systems. Governors impose limits on the number of people who may publicly congregate and encourage people to stay at home to slow viral communication. Otherwise, the ill may soon go to the hospital and discover […]

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Community Associations

Do HOAs Have to Meet Openly During the Coronavirus?

auditorium benches chairs class

Updated March 20, 2020 Landowners frequently complain that the board for their HOA or condo association makes important decisions in secret. Virginia law imposes significant “open meeting” requirements on community associations, allowing for attendance and participation by members. This is almost always in person. Open meeting laws can protect landowners from arbitrary or self-interested board […]

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Community Associations

HOA Regulation of Trees and Shrubs

bird s eye view of three houses

Spring is prime planting season, and many landowners are now making decisions on what landscaping changes they want for 2020. Trees, shrubs and other plants fill essential roles in residential subdivisions. They unlock the value of property by providing shade, screening, beauty, use transitions, and erosion control. Property owners like to control the planting, trimming […]

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