Articles

The Open Meeting Act: A Checklist Jun 20, 2016

The Open Meeting Act is a law within a law, found within the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act at Civil Code Sections 4900-4955. A common misconception is that...

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Reader Questions - Forgotten Association, Late Board Packets Jun 13, 2016
 

Dear Mr. Richardson,

The subdivision of single family homes where I live was built [about 20 years ago]. There may have been an HOA at that time, but by the...

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Legislative Suggestion Box Jun 06, 2016

Dear California Legislature,

Each year you address HOA bills which often respond to specific narrow issues or complaints. Except for the California Law Revision...

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Membership Quorum May 30, 2016

Although most HOA decisions are made the board, some of the most important ones must be by membership vote. However, an amazing number of associations struggle to attain...

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Board Quorum May 23, 2016

In order for a common interest development to make a membership decision or board decision, “quorum” must first be attained. Quorum is a Latin word meaning...

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Reader Questions - Individual Insurance Policies May 16, 2016

Dear Kelly,

When it comes to an owner choosing an insurance company for condominium insurance for the inside of the condo, would the best course be to choose the...

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The Problem with Proxies May 09, 2016

Association election contests can be controversial, and proxies all too often add to the controversy.

What is a proxy?

A proxy is a document by which one association member...

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Reader Questions - Dogs May 02, 2016

Dear Mr. Richardson,

I was reading Civil Code 4715. That says associations can no longer prohibit owners from having a pet (defined as any domesticated bird, cat, or dog)....

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Reader Questions - Rules Apr 25, 2016

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our board frequently adopts new rules, generally following the required process of providing 30-day notice prior to voting at an open meeting.

...

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Reader Questions - Are Closed Session Meetings OK? Apr 18, 2016

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our board meetings consist of two parts. A closed meeting is convened with the board members and the manager discussing “sensitive”...

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Ten Damaging HOA Myths Apr 11, 2016

Some myths are not only wrong, but harmful. Here are ten HOA myths which create problems for communities:

1. Governing documents are boilerplate

Most HOA homebuyers...

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Reader Questions - Neighboring Nuisance Issues Apr 04, 2016

Mr. Richardson,

I own and live in a condo complex. Secondhand smoke from neighbors drifts through my unit even with windows closed. I have repeatedly told the smokers that...

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