Across the thriving metropolitan areas of the Pacific Northwest, particularly in King, Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish, condo buildings are visibly aging. The mild, yet persistent, damp climate of Western Washington accelerates the deterioration of building envelopes, leading to systemic issues like moisture intrusion, failing siding, and deck rot. This structural decay—referred to as deferred maintenance—is [...]
The 2026 changes to the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA), primarily through Senate Bill 5129 (SB 5129), do not generally impose new reserve study requirements on most small associations in 2026, but they do significantly alter the criteria for a small plat or miscellaneous community to be exempt from many WUCIOA provisions, including [...]
Property owners in Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties, take note: significant changes are on the horizon for how common interest communities operate, with many new provisions of the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) set to take effect sooner than anticipated. This impacts condominiums, plat communities, and other homeowner associations (HOAs) across our region, [...]
The changes to HUD under the Trump administration have a complex and potentially far-reaching impact on both current and future homeowners. Key Changes and Potential Impacts Rollback of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule: The rollback of the AFFH rule could potentially lead to increased segregation and unequal access to housing opportunities. This could [...]
As of early 2025, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) remains a significant compliance factor for incorporated community associations nationwide, including those in Washington State. While the initial BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) reporting deadline has passed, continuous compliance and awareness of potential updates are vital. The CTA's implementation and enforcement are still subject to refinement, and [...]
The Impact of Reserve Studies in Light of the Corporate Transparency Act The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a federal law, has introduced new reporting obligations for incorporated community associations, impacting how these associations, and their boards, operate. While the CTA's implementation and enforcement are subject to change due to ongoing legal challenges, understanding its implications, [...]
We have all seen cute dogs in places we never use to see them. Owners have discovered that they can skirt rules saying "no pets" by buying a vest and getting an online certification claiming the animal is an Emotional Support Animal (ESAs). This puts association boards in the difficult position of policing owners who [...]
There's a new law (Senate Bill 5796) that will significantly impact homeowners and condominium associations (HOA) throughout Washington. This bill rewrites the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) almost entirely. Formerly, HOAs follow different rules depending on when they were established. This new law proposes applying a uniform set of rules, the WUCIOA, to [...]
We had a board member who called us with this question recently. The answer is Yes, in most cases, condominium/ homeowner association CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) are legally binding. Here's why: Contractual agreement: When you purchase a condominium in a Washington State association, you agree to abide by the CC&Rs as part of the [...]
The governing documents of a homeowner or condominium association in Washington State are important legal documents that outline the rights and responsibilities of homeowners and the association. They are typically comprised of four main documents: Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs): This document establishes the fundamental rules and restrictions that apply to all homeowners [...]
