Articles

Protection for ADUs and Doorway Icons Coming in 2020 Nov 01, 2019

Two new laws are coming in 2020, which provide protection for HOA owners in regard to accessory dwelling units and religious decorations on doorways.

One of the most basic...

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“Elevated Elements” Must Be Inspected Under New Law Oct 28, 2019

A balcony collapsed in Berkeley in 2015, causing six deaths and injuring seven. Consequently, Senate Bill (“SB”) 721 passed in 2018 and took effect in 2019,...

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Reader Questions - We Can’t Seem to Get Copies Oct 07, 2019
 

Dear Kelly,

Do I, as a homeowner, have a right to see the contract between the HOA and a vendor? I have no desire to stir up problems. I appreciate your...

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Reader Questions - Shaken Up About Earthquake Insurance Sep 30, 2019
 

Hi Kelly,

I live in a 100+ unit condo complex without HOA earthquake insurance. I have CEA earthquake insurance for my home. Have you written any articles I...

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Reader Questions - Is it Exclusive Use Common Area? Part 3 Sep 23, 2019

Hi Kelly,

I was interested in your recent answer that a club’s storage space would not be considered exclusive use common area. Statewide there are thousands of HOAs...

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Reader Questions - How Exclusive is Exclusive Use Area? Part 2 Sep 16, 2019

Hi Kelly,

I live in a condo complex in which the restricted common area is the front and back yards of each unit. The board says it has the authority to grant permission...

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What and Where Is “Exclusive Use Common Area”? Part 1 Sep 09, 2019

The typical condominium project consists of three categories of property – the “separate interest” (normally called the “unit”), the common...

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Changes in Condominium Lending Rules Sep 03, 2019

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued revisions to its condominium lending rules, effective October 15, 2019. In 2009 HUD began predicating FHA...

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Recall Questions: Part 2 Aug 26, 2019
 

Kelly,

Our HOA recently had a total board recall and election. The new (self- appointed) president handed out terms based on votes received, with three two-year...

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Recall Questions: Part 1 Aug 19, 2019

Dear Kelly,

In our recent HOA election, one new member was elected but resigned six weeks later. There is an all-out war between the four remaining directors. All business...

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Senate Bill 323: More “One Size Fits All” For HOAs Aug 12, 2019
 

Senate Bill (SB) 323 (Wieckowski) is now pending in the Assembly after passing through the Senate. The bill originally proposed to significantly expand...

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Reader Questions - Conduct Policy With a Forced Waiver? Aug 05, 2019
 

Kelly,

Our board instituted an ethics policy for all directors and committee members. The first requirement is that all nominees for directors sign a...

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