Articles

Reader Questions - Can I/They Keep My/Their Exclusive Use Area Change? May 27, 2019

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Many years ago, I was allowed by the board to raise the height of my deck. I paid for the architectural change. No board member or manager since has...

Continue Reading...
Open Forum: Drudge or Jewel? May 20, 2019

The “Open Meeting Act” (Civil Code Sections 4900-4955), requires at Section 4925(b) that all membership meetings and board meetings have a time set aside...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Freedom of Speech and Assembly May 13, 2019

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our board is considering banning informal meetings in common areas. To me, this sounds like a violation of the constitutional right of assembly, but...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Is This Exclusive Use? May 04, 2019

Dear Mr. Richardson,

If a club in the HOA wants a locked storage space, is it considered exclusive use?

W.S., Escondido

 

Dear W.S.,

Exclusive use common area is...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Can We Limit Dogs? Apr 29, 2019

Hi Kelly, 

Our HOA recently voted to update our CC&R’s. One section prohibits ownership of numerous breeds of dogs that the board considers dangerous. Since...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Two Homeowners Want Out, One Wants In Apr 22, 2019

Dear Kelly,

Is there a way to get out of our three member HOA? Our home stands alone. The other two are connected. Thank you for your comment on this!

K.N., Santa Barbara

...
Continue Reading...
We Like This Manager, But Are They Qualified? Apr 15, 2019

Previous columns addressed management options and contracts. After selecting the desired type of management services, how can a board know if a manager prospect is...

Continue Reading...
Selecting a Management Company: The Contract Apr 08, 2019

The previous HOA Homefront column discussed choices in association management.  If the association decides to hire a management firm to provide service, the management...

Continue Reading...
Association Management: Associations Have Options Apr 01, 2019

Choosing management assistance is one of a board’s most important decisions. Even the smallest associations will benefit from some form of professional management.

...

Continue Reading...
Reader Questions - Evaluating Management: Management Companies Respond Mar 25, 2019
 

Kelly,

I am a HOA Board member, and our management company contract is coming up for renewal. We realized we have no formal way of evaluating how they are...

Continue Reading...
2019 Bills Proposing New HOA Laws Are A Mixed Bag Mar 18, 2019

This year Sacramento presents another spring season full of ideas for HOAs – some bad, some good, and some well-intentioned but needing revision.

SB 323

Senate Bill...

Continue Reading...
Why Governing Documents Matter Mar 11, 2019

Governing documents are critical for HOA communities and are literally the legal glue which holds the association together. Civil Code Section 4150 defines...

Continue Reading...