Articles

Before Buying into an HOA, Read This Mar 17, 2025

Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column 

When buying property in a common interest development (“HOA”), one automatically becomes a member.  Here are 14 items to...

Continue Reading...
Corporate Transparency Act Saga Ends for HOAs; Reader Question – What About Renter Problems? Mar 10, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column 

CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT WILL NOT BE ENFORCED AGAINST HOAs.

Many HOA attorneys, managers and boards have been foll...

Continue Reading...
Should We Have Handicapped Parking? Mar 02, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., CCAL, HOA Homefront Column 

Hi Kelly: My wife has a handicapped decal on her license plate. Although she has mobility issues and has a tough tim...

Continue Reading...
Is Your HOA Ready for Electronic Voting? Feb 24, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column 

California law now allows HOAs to conduct member votes electronically. Civil Code Sections 5105, 5115, 5120 and 5125 ...

Continue Reading...
Court Holds HOAs Can Stay Out of Neighbor vs. Neighbor Disputes Feb 17, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column

One of the more difficult situations for HOA boards, managers, and attorneys to handle is the neighbor vs. neighbor di...

Continue Reading...
The Balcony Inspections Deadline has Passed - is YOUR HOA Compliant? Feb 10, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront  

Civil Code Section 5551 requires a visual inspection of “exterior elevated elements” (“EEE’s”) by January 1, 2025. That dea...

Continue Reading...
Board Transparency: Notice of Meetings, Secret Deliberations, and Disclosure of Delinquencies Feb 02, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront

Dear Kelly: Can an HOA publish a meeting notice on its website and NOT also notify by email, the members? K.M., San Diego

De...

Continue Reading...
Tips Before Starting Major Reconstruction or Repairs Jan 25, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL 

Homeowners and HOAs periodically face major construction contracts for renovation or repairs, particularly following a disaster. Here are s...

Continue Reading...
Dealing with Disaster Jan 15, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL

After a disaster individual homeowners, HOA boards, and managers can be overwhelmed by the many decisions they face. Careful actions can ave...

Continue Reading...
Board Extends Their Own Terms, Why are Recalls So Slow, and Does the CTA Apply? Jan 13, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., CCAL, HOA Homefront Column

Mr. Richardson: A director recall petition was just turned in, and the vote for recall is scheduled for over three mo...

Continue Reading...
How Consent Calendars Streamline Your Meetings Jan 05, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., CCAL, HOA Homefront Column 

Does your HOA board use a consent calendar as part of its regular meeting procedure? If not, your board is missing a...

Continue Reading...
Is a Bank Out of State OK? CTA Update Dec 30, 2024

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column

Dear Kelly: Our HOA has their bank accounts with an online bank. Our payments are mailed to a postbox address outside ...

Continue Reading...