Articles

Reader Questions - HOA or Hotel? Short Term Rental Headaches Jul 18, 2016

Dear Mr. Richardson,

We own a house and a rental house in a homeowners association. The association directors are proposing to raise the HOA dues on rental units because...

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Reader Questions - Assessments: Must They Pay THAT? Jul 11, 2016

Dear Mr. Richardson,

I’ve lived in my condo 3 years. Since I’ve been here the association dues have skyrocketed. The management claims assessments are owed. Is...

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Reader Questions - Associations Suffer From Quorum Failure Jul 04, 2016

Mr. Richardson,

I have been on our HOA board for eleven years, we have an election every year but we never receive enough ballots from owners to meet quorum. We have to go...

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Reader Questions - Leasing Minimums, Tenant Information Jun 27, 2016
 

Kelly,

I enjoy reading your articles. With the issue of renting by the day/week becoming red hot in the San Diego market, can the HOA amend the...

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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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