Welcome to Minnesota's most comprehensive resource for managers, board members and home owners of common interest communities, including disputes in home owner's associations, condominium associations, townhome associations, community associations and cooperative associations.

Did you know that there were 450,000 "common interest" developments in the United States last year and that more than 50 percent were condominiums and townhomes. This market is strong, and growing across the nation each year. In particular, Minnesota has been in the top tier of states with regard to its enormous growth of common interest developments.

Most townhome or condominium developments include, as part of the ownership contract, mandatory membership in some type of a governing home owner association. These organizations are governed in Minnesota by the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (MCIOA). These common interest associations have varying power and authority which are governed by adopted bylaws. In most cases a Board of Directors is responsible for maintaining a quality of life for the enjoyment of all owners. They are also required to run a fiscally responsible not-for-profit organization and protect the investment of the owners. If not properly constructed or administered, these responsibilities can lead to disputes and liability for board members and associations alike.

Not surprisingly, as the number of these developments increases, also on the rise are the number of legal issues. All too often, townhome and condominium associations are created haphazardly and without proper regard for the rapidly evolving laws relating to that form of real estate ownership. One such requirement is that nearly all shared and community associations created as non-profit corporations require an annual report submitted to the Minnesota Secretary of State.

We can help to guide you through the myriad of challenges presented by townhome association governance including the following:

• Representation of real estate developers and landlords

• Negotiation of purchase and sale contracts with home builders and with property sellers

• Rezoning hearings and plat approvals

• Leasing (both landlord and tenant representation)

• Creating planned communities, including residential and commercial subdivisions and condominium and townhome communities

• Restrictive covenants, cross-access and reciprocal easement agreements

• Homeowners' and property owners' associations

• Condominium regimes and condominium and townhome associations

• New urbanism, traditional neighborhood development and smart growth

• Loan negotiation and documentation

• Business entity formation.

We can assist you with formation of associations, duties of board members and associations, and authority of a condominium board of managers, please contact us at (612) 240-8005.