An HOA settlement agreement has been reached in a lawsuit involving a Roanoke County woman and her homeowners association. The case centered around Jeannie Brown, a homeowner with a disability, and her struggles to sell her home due to restrictive HOA policies.
The Road to the HOA Settlement Agreement
Jeannie Brown, who lives with multiple sclerosis, initially sued the Hunting Hills HOA after being denied permission to build a patio to navigate her backyard safely. Brown, familiar with fair housing laws, successfully won that case and constructed the patio.
However, as her mobility needs changed, Brown and her husband decided to move to a one-story home more suited to her needs. They found a buyer for their current home, but the sale fell through when the HOA issued rules restricting the patio’s use. The regulations prohibited overnight placement of items such as furniture, flower boxes, and fire pits, which caused the prospective buyer to back out of the deal.
Feeling trapped in a home that no longer met her accessibility needs, Brown filed another lawsuit, seeking to challenge the HOA’s restrictive policies.
Settlement Brings Resolution
After months of legal battles, a federal court recently reported that both Brown and the Hunting Hills HOA reached mutually agreeable terms in the lawsuit. While specific details of the HOA settlement agreement remain private, Brown confirmed that the patio was removed.
Finally, she was able to sell her home. This resolution marks the end of a long-standing dispute.
