Articles

Reader Questions - Disregard Dissenter, Rapid Fire Round Dec 03, 2012

Dear Sir,

I have some very important questions and I totally trust your input after reading your column now for quite a while.

Our association board consists of 3 people....

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Reader Questions - Renter Information, Who Votes?, and HOA Financials Nov 19, 2012

Hi Kelly,

What recourse does a Board pursue when they cannot get information from owners on tenants residing in their community such as names, phone numbers?

I am not sure...

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Are These Rules or Just Traditions? Nov 05, 2012

Many Associations have policies regulating activities on a variety of topics, from water damage repair responsibility to pool use. But is it a “rule” recognized...

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Reader Questions - Is It Still a Committee Meeting, Excessive Assessments Oct 29, 2012

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our Budget committee had 2 board members out of its 7 total members. With our recent election, another committee member has joined the board. If...

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Reader Questions - Can We Force the Board?, Campaign Flyer Oct 29, 2012

Dear Sir,

Appreciate your column in the newspaper on HOAs. Is there a way to force a Board to allow the membership to vote on an issue without calling for a recall?

Thanks...

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Terminology: Does It Matter? Oct 15, 2012

As a lawyer, I would have to plead “guilty” to being persnickety (to use a Latin term) regarding the correct use of legal terms. In the world of common interest...

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Reader Questions - Solar Energy Installations, President’s Violation Oct 08, 2012

Dear Mr. Richardson,

I applied to my HOA Architectural committee to install solar panels on my roof, believing that Civil Code section 714 is quite clear that my...

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The Critically Important Reserve Account Oct 01, 2012

Unfortunately, in common interest developments the reserve account is often overlooked or even deliberately ignored as unnecessary. This is unwise, because the reserve fund...

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Reader Questions - Adding More Directors: Fees at Time of Sale Sep 24, 2012

Dear Mr. Richardson,

At our HOA meeting last night – it was announced by the board that they are adding a 6th member, a 2nd member at large! I’m perplexed! Can...

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Improved Condo Loan Guidelines Sep 17, 2012

In 2009, the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA, aka “FannieMae”), and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) imposed new requirements for condominium...

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Reader Questions - Shutting off Utilities, Proxy Verification Sep 10, 2012

Mr. Richardson,

Good morning. Our community has approximately 9 that are behind in their HOA dues, some by two or more years. Can we legally have their water shut off as...

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Reader Questions - Too Helpful Manager, A Dangerous Director Sep 03, 2012

Dear Mr. Richardson,
I am a director of a large HOA. In our most recent board meeting the following came up in discussion:

  1. Our manager is calling homeowners and asking...
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