Articles

Reader Questions - Board Meeting Appointments, Location, and Attendance Jun 08, 2015

Dear Kelly,

Immediately after the election of the board the new board members go into executive session to determine who will be the officers for the following year. This...

Continue Reading...
What You May Not Know About Your CC&Rs Jun 01, 2015

Of the five governing documents of most associations – articles of incorporation, recorded map or plan, bylaws, operating rules and “CC&Rs – the last,...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Two Sides of the Coin May 25, 2015

Kelly Richardson,

We have lived in three HOAs over the past 30 years. What we have found lately is that no one wants anything to do with the HOA. It is almost impossible...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Why Use Lockboxes? May 18, 2015

Kelly,

I’ve lived in a Planned Development in Placentia for 6 1/2 years. Our property management company was recently sold. We now send our HOA monthly fees to...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Insurance Coverage May 04, 2015

Dear Kelly,

Is it required that an HOA purchase earthquake insurance? Does it have to be stated in the CC&R’s? Can the board be held liable if it doesn’t...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Assessment Increases Apr 27, 2015

Dear Mr. Richardson,

I read your column in the [paper] every week. I really appreciate your help to clarify the difference between our bylaws and state laws regarding...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Financial Records Apr 20, 2015

Mr. Richardson,

I was an officer of a small condo association for about 10 years. There were 3 of us officers originally and as they moved away or just quit doing anything...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Fair Housing Issues Apr 13, 2015

Hi Kelly,

In my condo complex we have a rule that dogs, 15 pounds and under are allowed, but they have to be carried in common areas. We have some service (and...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Assessment Liens, Cumulative Voting, and Board Discussions Apr 06, 2015

Kelly,

The management company told us at a recent meeting that the HOA was due over $130,000 in past due HOA assessments. Therefore they increased our assessments 18%....

Continue Reading...
Pursue Foreclosure Carefully Mar 30, 2015

Common interest development associations are alliances of owners agreeing to share a tract of property and share the control and costs of that property. That sharing of...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Tenant Issues Mar 23, 2015

Kelly Richardson,

Non-occupied owners were sent a form that they must sign stating, “I acknowledge that I will be held responsible for the actions of my tenants...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Small Claims, Attendance, and Self-Management Mar 16, 2015

Mr. Richardson,

If a homeowner is in arrears on HOA dues and the association has put a lien on the property, can the HOA proceed with Small Claims Court before a...

Continue Reading...