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• A Summer of Changes: ACC Regulations in Your Community

  2021-08-06 06:29:24

  As summer ambles on and the pandemic lingers more homeowners are making changes to their homes than ever before. While this is often a good thing, it can turn ugly and litigious very quickly. No one likes to be told what they can and cannot do to their home! This is especially true if your association does not have proper rules and procedures in place to regulate homeowner changes. HOAs and Condos alike should have ARCs or ACCs (architectural review/control committees) set up to ensure that any work done is consistent with the community, does not reduce neighbors' home values, and does not jeopardize or impede any common areas/elements or limited common areas/elements.

• Washington Associations: Collections Update

  2021-07-23 09:00:03

  Recently, there have been two major changes in Washington law that impact association collections. On July 13, 2021, the Washington Governor rescinded Proclamation 20-51 effective as of 11:59 p.m. on July 24, 2021.

• Washington Legislative Update

  2021-05-14 09:12:25

  Washington's most recent legislative session has resulted in several bills that will impact associations. Some have already been signed into law while others have passed both the House and the Senate and are on the Governor's desk awaiting signature. Below are links to some of the bills that will impact associations in Washington.

• WCIOA Presentations!

  2018-05-30 09:21:09

  For those that were not able to attend our recent presentations on the Washington Common Interest Ownership Act ("WCIOA"), Barker Martin is offering to have our attorneys come to your management company and review the key aspects of this new and comprehensive "common interest community" statute that takes effect on July 1, 2018.

• WCIOA Will Become Law This Summer - Are You Ready?

  2018-05-08 16:11:54

  Whether any of us are truly ready or not, the Washington Common Interest Ownership Act ("WCIOA") takes effect on July 1, 2018. That date will be here sooner than you think. Are you ready?

• What is WCIOA?

  2018-04-05 12:37:54

  As many of you may already know, the Washington Common Interest Ownership Act ("WCIOA") was adopted by the legislature this year and goes into effect on July 1, 2018.

• Tenant Criminal History Off-Limits for Seattle Landlords

  2018-03-15 16:03:49

  A new Seattle ordinance, effective February 19, 2018, prohibits landlords from screening tenants based upon their criminal records. According to its proponents, the law, unanimously adopted by the Seattle City Council last August, is intended to lower barriers to housing for people with criminal histories, who are often rejected by landlords. Opponents of the measure argued, among other things, landlords' ability to use criminal background information to protect property and other residents was an important tool. Whether other cities in the Pacific Northwest will adopt similar measures is unclear, but the Fair Chance Housing Ordinance, SMC Chapter 14.06, is now law in the City of Seattle. Keep in mind that similar restrictions exist beyond Seattle in the federal Fair Housing Act, where associations with tenant screening restrictions are not able to obtain FHA financing.

• Buyer Beware

  2017-12-07 15:56:45

  The Washington Condominium Act (WCA) implied warranties are again under attack by some in the building industry. In the 1990s and early 2000s there was a glut of terrible construction that resulted in huge repair costs and a lot of litigation. The WCA warranties provided recourse for many owners with construction defects during that time. The warranties have also forced the construction industry to raise the "industry standard" when it comes to quality construction. Removing such protections would pave the way for a repeat of past mistakes

• Online Harassment and Risk of Liability Under Fair Housing Laws

  2017-06-01 16:18:49

  My colleagues and I have blogged about the importance of recognizing requests for reasonable accommodations/modifications, carefully and thoughtfully considering them, and properly responding in a timely manner. We like to think our posts on this topic have helped a few association boards make better decisions, but if the case discussed below is any indication, more information and discussion is needed.

• Legislative Alert

  2017-01-19 12:42:50

  The 2017 Washington State legislative session commenced on January 7, 2017 and is in full swing. It's expected to be another active session involving condominium and homeowner associations. Hearings are already taking place and bills are being introduced.