Articles

Reader Questions - Executive Session Misused? Oct 29, 2018
 

Mr. Richardson,

Members of our board mention discussions in executive session when they are discussing agenda items at board meetings. For instance, at a recent

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Reader Questions - Short Term Rentals: Both Sides Oct 15, 2018
 

Hello Mr. Richardson,

We have a guest house on our half acre lot that we have rented out (using a short-term rental service). We are always home in the main hous

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Keep the Lawyers at Bay [Ten Tips] Aug 20, 2018

Serving as a volunteer director is often thankless, but it shouldn’t be risky. Here are ten ways to reduce if not prevent personal risk from your service.

1. Learn and follow...

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Reader Questions - Ramped Up Assessments, Where To Pay Jul 30, 2018

Mr. Richardson,

This year our HOA dues increased 20%. The reason given was plumbing issues due to sewage backups. When I asked about just having a special assessment to cov

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Reader Questions - We Have Unwritten Rules Jul 23, 2018

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our board frequently adopts new rules, generally following the required process of providing 30-day notice to homeowners prior to voting at an open boa

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Reader Questions - Can They Reject My Solar? May 28, 2018

Hi Kelly,

We purchased a home needing a complete remodel and we took all of the appropriate steps with the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). We submitted additional pla

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Reader Questions - How Much Reserve Money Does Our HOA Need? May 21, 2018

Hello Kelly,

I enjoy and learn from your column on HOA’s. I live in small resident-managed HOA. Our reserves are very low. Is there a minimum amount or percentage for reser

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Reader Questions - Is Our HOA Now a Free Speech Zone? May 14, 2018

Dear Kelly,

Thank you for your always insightful columns. I have a question regarding the new state law supporting use of common facilities for political activities, and on

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Reader Questions - Can We Control Short Term Rentals? Apr 09, 2018

Dear Kelly,

My HOA is facing a perplexing issue – internet-based short-term rentals. I understand it is becoming more common. As we revise our CC&R’s, in addition to a no-s

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Reader Questions - Do Off-Site Owners Have Rights? Mar 12, 2018

Hi Kelly,

I live part-time outside the USA. I asked my (self-managed) HOA to send all available notices and disclosures to my secondary address, which I designated as my e-

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Reader Questions - Show Us the Money (Records)! Feb 05, 2018

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Thank you for writing for [our paper]. I find the questions and your answers very informative and useful. Can an owner within a HOA request in writing

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Reader Questions - Why Can’t They Observe? Jan 29, 2018

Mr. Richardson,

I am a new board member. The present board does almost everything in executive session. Then the president makes short announcements at the open board meeti

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