Articles

Reader Questions - Should Boards Shine More Light on Solar Installations? Nov 27, 2017
 

Mr. Richardson,

Last year, I volunteered to sit on the architectural committee for our HOA and it really opened my eyes to how an HOA operates. Applications for so

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Reader Questions - Can Board Just Give Them Some Space? Oct 30, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

My HOA has a board that changes all the time. People with agendas run and many times they leave after one year. The question is whether the HOA can con

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Reader Questions - Why Can’t I Have MY Dish? Oct 23, 2017

Hello Kelly,

Months ago, I requested permission to have a small satellite dish placed on the side of my home. I never received any reply. I ordered the service and the dish

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11 Sure-Fire Ways to Frustrate HOA Elections Oct 16, 2017

Most associations have member voting at least annually, and the process required by statute applies to all HOAs, whether 2 units in Redondo Beach or 3,000 units in Oakland. Av...

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Reader Questions - Mary Jane in HOA Unit 420? Oct 09, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

I live in California where it is legal to grow 6 cannabis plants. What can our HOA do about this?

P.F., Newport Beach

Dear P.F.,

As you know, Cali...

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Reader Questions - When Fines Are Not Fine (Enough) Oct 02, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Am I correct in my thinking that our Board can set up a fine schedule without the vote of the membership?

Thank you,

A.P., Newhall

Dear A.P.,

Ass...

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Reader Questions - When Getting Rid of Termites, Can They Get Rid of Us Also? Sep 25, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our HOA is mandating that each unit in our complex be tented for termites. The HOA is stating that there is precedent under California law to force hom

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Reader Questions - I Demand That Be in the Minutes (And When Will I See Them?) Sep 04, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Does the HOA board have an obligation to put homeowners’ reasonable comments, questions and other details in the minutes? For example, several months a

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Reader Questions - We Can’t Email or Talk? Limits on Board Discussions Outside Meetings Aug 28, 2017
 

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our management company recently advised the board that they could no longer discuss any HOA business via “group” emails in between meetings,

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Reader Questions - It’s My Balcony and My Vine, Right? Aug 21, 2017

Hello Mr. Richardson,

I own a two bedroom condo with a balcony. We live in the area where a lot of smoke from a busy boulevard, so the balcony needs to be washed often. We

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Reader Questions - Our Mobilehome Park: HOA? Aug 14, 2017

Dear Sir,

How is it legal for a mobilehome park HOA to be registered with the government as a condominium association? What ramifications does that have on our CC&Rs? We’re

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Reader Questions - Now It’s Our Plumbing? Jul 31, 2017

Hi Kelly,

My spouse and I read your column regularly.

Recently our HOA called a meeting to let us know they want to change our CC&R’s specifically to have homeowners be re

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