CONDO OWNERS * Don't throw out those condo/HOA documents or unopened e-mails...the actions of your condo board could be co$tly
Indiana condominium association has had a fair housing lawsuit filed against it for illegally denying housing to a couple because they were black and had children. The lawsuit alleges that the 3 board members refused to allow an engaged couple to buy a unit in the project in 2006.
According to the suit, the association officials did not raise the issue about the buyers' 2 children violating board policy until after they learned the buyers were black during a meeting.
A Long Island condo association has been fined $10,000 for barring a Jewish mezuzah. A Jewish unit owner was stopped from displaying a 4-inch mezuzah on her front door. She won her settlement after a state investigation. NY AG Andrew Cuomo's office indicated that condo members complained to his office when the condo board told members to "either take down their mezuzahs or purchase a screen door costing between $300 or $500 to conceal the object".
A mezuzah is placed on the doorway and recalls the Exodus from Egypt when the lamb's blood smeared on the doorpost "identified" the Jewish homes that God passed over during the plague of the first born.
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.
Central Virginia
LandlordWhisperer
View our available Charlottesville, Albemarle and Lake Monticello rental homes online with photos and floor plans
"...to be a Virginian, either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one's Mother's side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign Country, and a Benediction from the Almighty God...." Anonymous
Wallace,
That is just ridiculous. I had a Mezuzah on the front door of my home when I moved in. I didnt know what it was, so I did some research. I am not Jewish, but we should all be tolerant of each others faiths. I am glad that the tenants won their suit.
Have a great weekend
Leander
Leander * I agree * if you know the story behind them, they are a gentle reminder of the messages of The Bible
Wallace,
Great post. It is critical to understand what the condo or neighborhood HOA's are up to! It can cost you big time.
All the best, Michelle
Michelle * as FH groups loose suits against real estate agents (they get out of the biz and declare bk) and landlords (they sell their property and declare bk), they are looking for entities that won't DISAPPEAR during the prolonged complaint/investigation process which HOAs can't do. The Dirty little secret of Fair Housing complaints.
Most fair housing awards are never paid!!!
Wallace - I just can't reconcile this with HOAs not allowing homeowners displaying the flag. I guess that's not covered by Fair Housing laws.
American flags are usually on the exterior and are governed by exterior/architectural aesthetics. The mazuzah is way too small to be an issue and the covering by a screen door was the REAL FH violation issue I think!