Articles

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 they do that

...
Continue Reading...
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 loans. Administer...

Continue Reading...
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 th

...
Continue Reading...
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 the
  2. ...
Continue Reading...
Davis-Stirling Act Reorganized, Relocated in 2014 Aug 27, 2012

On Friday, August 17, Governor Brown concluded the long journey of the California Law Revision Commission’s multi-year project to reorganize the Davis-Stirling Common Interest...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Homeowner Education Aug 20, 2012

Dear Mr. Richardson,

We are new to HOA and would like to attend a class on how HOA’s work.

Thank you for your column,

P.G., Hermosa Beach

Dear P.G.,

There are many so...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - The CID Act and the Old HOA, Presidential Power Aug 13, 2012

Dear Mr. Richardson,

I recently discovered your “HOA Homefront” column in the newspaper and find it very valuable.

Your mention of the Davis Stirling Act has had me readin

...
Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Paying Directors Aug 06, 2012

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Ran across your column recently and that spurred me into writing you.

I belong to an HOA in Riverside County. I have been told that state law governin...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Open Meeting Act vs. Free Speech Jul 30, 2012

Kelly,

Thanks for your [recent] informative article regarding changes in the Davis-Stirling Act.

In the article you state that the board cannot “discuss anything about the...

Continue Reading...
Toward Orderly Board Meetings Jul 23, 2012

One of the scourges of the HOA world is disorderly board meetings. Associations large and small struggle with meetings filled with the cacophony of people talking over each ot...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Slow Architectural Enforcement, Distribution of Minutes Jul 16, 2012

Dear Kelly,

I bought my townhome last year, and recently received a letter stating some windows violate the architectural guidelines and must be changed. My neighbors have ...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Our President Is Out of Line, Director/Manager Communications Jul 09, 2012

Hi Mr. Richardson,

Every week I am intrigued by your articles on the HOA Homefront. When I read your articles, I feel like I can relate to the topic you’ve written about.

...
Continue Reading...