Articles

Reader Questions - Architectural Enforcement: Two Views Jun 19, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

You have a very enlightening column. Our board is now requiring approval of any architectural changes within the individual owner’s unit. Seems...

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Reader Questions - They Aren’t Paying Jun 12, 2017

Dear Kelly,

Our HOA reserves are extremely low and our collections are growing worse by the day. We are a gated community, many with renters. Can we deny owners/renters...

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Reader Questions - They Won’t Vote! Jun 05, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

I have been a director of a mid-sized association. About 90% of the homes are owner- occupied. For the last three years we have been unable to obtain...

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The Rules on Rules May 29, 2017

It is important to create good association operating rules and to make sure the rule topics required by statute are also covered, but all that is wasted if the association...

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Recipe for Reasonable Rules May 22, 2017

One important board responsibility is to adopt and enforce community rules. Developers, when creating common interest communities, provide CC&Rs and Bylaws (usually...

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Does Your HOA Have the Required Rules? May 15, 2017

Operating rules are often called “house rules” or “rules and regulations” by associations in California. Under Civil Code 4350(a), rules...

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Reader Questions - Copies Cost THAT Much May 08, 2017
 

Dear Kelly,

Recently my family sold a house and paid over $700.00 in fees to the association, a large portion of which was for copies of rules and regulations...

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Reader Questions - Can We Skip the Reserve Account? May 01, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

I am wondering, are HOAs required to have a “Reserve” account or it is just recommended?

Thank you,

P.P. Rancho San Diego

Dear P.P.,

...

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Reader Questions - What Can They See? Apr 24, 2017

Mr. Richardson,

I am one of a couple employees in a small, self-managed, association. Regarding opening the association records to owners. How much detail are they...

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When Laws Collide: Child Safety Or Discrimination? Apr 17, 2017

Common interest development associations (aka “HOAs”) are governed by both state and federal Fair Housing laws. Fair Housing laws prohibit “familial...

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The Drought Emergency is Over. Back to Business as Usual? Apr 10, 2017

On April 7, 2017, Governor Brown issued Executive Order B-40-17, formally ending the drought emergency, which can be read in its entirety at https://www.gov.ca.gov,...

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Reader Questions - Volunteer Means NO PROFIT Apr 03, 2017

Dear Mr. Richardson,

A board member also owns several properties elsewhere. An HOA vendor told me that this director demands, and gets, ‘discounts’ from the...

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