*Asked & Answered Asked – We have continued problems with unruly, unsupervised, and destructive children in our community’s common areas. They ride motorized scooters, skateboards, bikes, etc. all throughout our walkways and have collided with people and animals on several occasions. Our property manager said that nothing can be done…
Articles Posted in Enforcement
Non-residents Accessing HOA Property? Be Wary of Prescriptive Easements
An easement provides an individual with the legal right to a specific and definable use of another’s property. A homeowners association’s (“HOA’s”) governing documents (i.e., “CC&Rs”) often provide numerous easement rights to its members for access and use of the HOA’s common areas and recreational facilities. While those easement rights…
Inspection and Copying of Association Records
*New Library Article There are numerous records and items of information maintained and generated by a homeowners association (“HOA”) in the course of its operations. It is common for a HOA member to request copies of such records and information, especially in connection with an ongoing dispute the member may…
HOAs Prohibited from Fining Homeowners for Failure to Water
In its third consecutive year of severe drought, California faces a historic water shortage and wildfire danger. According to Mashable.com and US Drought Monitor, “The entire state is in some stage of drought, with 77% of the state suffering from ‘extreme’ to ‘exceptional’ drought conditions.” Matters are expected to worsen,…
HOA Dealing with Unruly Tenants?
*Asked & Answered Asked – A renter/tenant within our community is continually engaging in improper conduct, violating the governing documents, and causing nuisances that are impacting surrounding homeowners. Is there anything the HOA can do to evict the tenant? What steps can the Board of Directors take to prevent situations…
Court Upholds HOA Enforcement of ‘Maid Unit’ Rent Restriction
The ability of California homeowners associations (“HOAs”) to adopt and enforce restrictions on the renting of units has been limited by changes in the law over the past couple of years. Those changes have purported to provide greater protections for homeowners seeking to rent out their units to third parties.…
HOA Legislative & Case Law Update (2014) Now Available!
Our “Annual Legislative & Case Law Update” newsletter for the year 2014 is now available in our library! The Legislative & Case Law Update provides an overview of the new legislation and case law impacting California Homeowners Associations (“HOAs”) as we head into 2014. The new legislation includes, among other…
Is There a ‘Model’ Set of HOA Rules & Regulations?
*Asked & Answered Asked – Are there recognized models of well-written rules and regulations for homeowners associations? Answered – No, there are not, and the reason is because homeowners association (“HOA”) CC&Rs typically leave the drafting and amending of rules and regulations to the HOA’s Board of Directors. The types…
HOA Collection Procedures: Strict Compliance Required
*New Case Law The California Civil Code requires community associations (“HOAs”) to levy regular and special assessments as necessary to perform the HOA’s obligations under its governing documents. However, when a homeowner fails to pay those assessments, HOAs are often left with no alternative other than to pursue the owner…
Dealing with Homeowner Delay in ADR Scheduling
*Asked & Answered Asked – My HOA previously sent out an ADR request to a homeowner which was accepted shortly thereafter. The HOA has been attempting to schedule the ADR by providing the homeowner with numerous dates and times that worked for the HOA. However, the homeowner has rejected all…