HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - January 10, 2020
Published: Fri, 01/10/20
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HUD May Have Just Tightened the Rules for Condo/HOA Emotional Support Animals
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In this week's tip, we break some news: There may have been a quiet shift in federal policy on emotional support animals.
We've heard from many of you, in addition to many of our experts, that emotional support animals are appearing more and more, with more and more dubious claims of the need for them. In fact, it's become such a challenge for condo and HOA boards that we hosted a well-attended webinar with two leading experts to offer advice on how to approach the issue when you're faced with it.
All the while, however, the federal government appears to have been oblivious to what appears to be rampant misrepresentations of the medical need for such animals.
There's a wee sign, however, that perhaps the feds have gotten the message that allowing emotional support animals anywhere and everywhere has gone too far.
On Nov. 8, 2019, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sent a letter asking the FTC to investigate issues surrounding emotional support animals, but perhaps not for the reasons many condo and HOA board members would like.
According to HUD's press release, the request to the FTC is for an investigation of "certain websites that may be selling assistance animal documentation."
Note: That's not an investigation into whether pet owners are claiming a medical need for an emotional support animal when there's no legitimate basis, or legitimate medical documentation, for such a claim.
HUD's General Counsel Paul Compton stated in the press release that such websites are using questionable business practices that "exploit consumers, prejudice the legal rights of individuals with disabilities, dupe landlords, and generally interfere with good faith efforts to comply with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act."
The letter asks the FTC to investigate these websites for compliance with federal laws that protect consumers from unfair and deceptive acts or practices. HUD identified at least one website that apparently uses HUD's seal without authorization.
It's in the discussion of authentic documentation in a request for an emotional support animal that HUD may be signaling a shift in policy.
Read all about it, including why one of our top experts on emotional support animals is encouraged by the move, in our new article: https://www.hoaleader.com/members/4043.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Cleaning and Digitizing Old, Messy Copies of Condo/HOA Documents: Must Owners Vote?
An HOAleader.com reader asks, "In my HOA, the bylaws were set in 1999. There were faxed to the county, and the only records we have are copies of copies. Our amendments are a bit of a mess and poorly organized..."
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https://www.hoaleader.com/members/Cleaning-Digitizing-Old-Messy-Copies-CondoHOA-Documents-Must-Owners-Vote.cfm
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Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/Whoooooo-Should-Install-Barn-Owl-Box-in-HOA.cfm
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Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/Californias-New-CondoHOA-Election-Law-Just-Took-Effect-What-Boards-Need-Know.cfm
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When Condo/HOA Owners Don't Pay Out of a Personal Account
An HOAleader.com reader asks, "Is there a problem when an HOA property is owned by an individual (per the deed), but the owner pays HOA dues using a check from their business? If the check bounces, who's responsible, the owner or the business? Does accepting checks from the business put us in a weak position if we have to take a lien later as an owner quits paying? Am I worrying about nothing?"
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/When-CondoHOA-Owners-Dont-Pay-Out-Personal-Account.cfm
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How to Handle an HOA Owner Trying to Steamroll a New Board
A Michigan HOAleader.com reader asks, "We have an owner who asked the builder for an extended front porch during construction but was denied due to aesthetics. Once the owner closed, he immediately had a contractor out to install the porch extension - without obtaining HOA approval and without a permit from the township..."
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/How-Handle-HOA-Owner-Trying-Steamroll-New-Board.cfm
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