Community Association Law

Book excerpt: This second edition of the pioneering Hyatt and French Community Association Law coursebook is an ideal vehicle for introducing students to this increasingly important subject. From housing just 2 million Americans in 1970, common interest communities had grown to house 57 million, or 19% of the American population, by 2006. Community associations, which manage these communities, bear similarities to not-for-profit corporations, municipal governments, and trusts, but are different. The evolving body of community association law draws from all these fields but reflects the unique character and needs of common interest communities. Reflecting the expertise of its authors, the book combines academic rigor and practical knowledge. Primary materials include important cases, statutes (including proposed revisions to UCIOA), the Restatement (Third) of Property, Servitudes, and references to the growing body of literature on gated communities, co-housing developments, private governments, and other property regimes used to avoid the tragedy of the commons in groups that hold common property.