Articles

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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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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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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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...

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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...

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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...

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