*New Case Law The California Court of Appeals decision in Woolard v. Regent Real Estate Services Inc. (“Woolard”) provides important clarity on the responsibilities of homeowners’ associations (“HOAs”) and community managers in neighbor disputes. It also aligns with what we’ve written previously on the subject of neighbor-to-neighbor disputes: that neither…
As the holiday season kicks into full effect – let the decorating begin! But does your homeowners association have a say when it comes to expressing your holiday spirit? HOA’s often have some control when it comes to regulating the decorations adorning a home, but can the HOA decide if…
*New Case Law A recent appellate court decision, 11640 Woodbridge Condominium Homeowners Association v. Farmers Insurance Exchange (2025) 110 Cal.App.5th 211, marks an important development in HOA law and insurance policy interpretation. The Woodbridge case clarifies how “all risk” (or “open peril”) policies are applied during major construction repair projects.…
*Asked & Answered Asked: “To what extent may our HOA be held liable for an injury sustained by a trespasser in our community pool?” Answered: Under California law, a property owner, including a homeowners association (HOA) may have limited liability for injuries sustained by trespassers on the premises, such as…
As a PCAM and former management company executive, I’ve grown increasingly frustrated with the level of training and education provided to new community managers through our existing trade organizations. About 15 years ago, several of CAI’s Executive Directors encouraged me to apply for National Faculty. At the time, there was…
On June 30, 2025, AB 130 was passed by the California Legislature and signed into law by Governor Newsom. This law is effective immediately! The overall goal of the bill was to expedite housing and reduce costs by waiving some CEQA requirements. However, AB 130 affects homeowners associations by amending…
Golfers sustaining injury while out on the links is sometimes “par for the course”. Due to the nature of the sport, California courts consistently apply the “assumption of the risk” doctrine to claims by golf participants against golf course operators for injuries sustained from risks that are inherent in the…
Recent legislative changes under Senate Bill 900 (SB 900) have made notable updates to the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act. These changes are especially important for California homeowners’ associations (HOAs), as they directly impact maintenance obligations, reserve funding, and emergency financial planning. Here’s what your board needs to know and…
Part I: Can HOAs restrict homeowners’ speech? For individuals residing in common interest developments, the constitutional right to free speech is not applicable. While many believe that they have a right to freely express themselves by posting signs, banners, flags, and religious symbols on their own properties, they may be…
In the ever-continuing saga known as the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), the District Court for the Eastern District of Texas recently lifted an injunction staying the enforcement of the CTA. (Smith, et al. v. U.S. Department of the Treasury, et al., (E.D. Tex., Feb. 17, 2025) 6:24-cv-00336.) This reversal follows…