Articles

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 to

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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 a lockbox in

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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 purchase the insur

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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 our i

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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

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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 “companion”)

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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%. WOW!

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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 expens...

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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 and/or gues

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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 foreclosur

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Reader Questions - Who’s In Charge?, Director Trespass, and Condo or Not? Mar 09, 2015

Dear Kelly,

I really like your column. I’m on an HOA board and pride myself in keeping up with HOA legislation. I learned something new in your reply to a recent question.

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Reader Questions - Election Documents, Telephonic Board Participation Mar 02, 2015

Hello Mr. Richardson,

I attended a Board meeting in which the opening of ballots was on the agenda. The president mentioned that a list with the names of all the people tha

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