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Articles Posted in HOA Governance

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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…

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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…

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Court Upholds Use of HOA Election Rules for Director Qualifications

*New Case Law Provisions setting forth the qualifications for serving on a homeowners association (“HOA”) Board of Directors are typically found in the HOA’s Bylaws. At the time when these provisions were originally drafted, they may have been insufficient to establish a set of specific qualifications designed to avoid operational…

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SB 752: Commercial & Industrial CID Act Signed into Law

*New Legislation Commercial and Industrial Common Interest Developments (“Commercial CIDs”) in California have historically been governed by the same provisions that apply to planned residential developments and condominiums: the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (“Davis-Stirling”). However, some of those provisions have resulted in unnecessary burdens and requirements for Commercial CIDs…

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Who is Entitled to Attend Board Meetings on an Owner’s Behalf?

*New Case Law Membership rights with regard to the attendance and participation in Board meetings is an important component of the laws governing homeowners associations (“HOAs”). Civil Code Section 1363.05, known as the “Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act,” states that “any member of the [HOA] may attend meetings of…

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Equal Access to HOA Media Outlets During Election Campaigns

*New Case Law As is a common occurrence for HOA Boards, there is often difficulty in obtaining the HOA members’ consent that is required for taking such actions as amending the HOA’s governing documents or undertaking capital improvements. Failure to obtain the members’ consent–whether it is a result of member…

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HOA Restrictions on Companion and Service Animals

*Asked & Answered Asked – Our high-rise condominium association does not allow dogs weighing over 40 pounds, but we have an owner that has requested an exception for her “companion” dog that is a 70 pound Golden Retriever. Does our HOA have to allow the homeowner to have her companion…

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Electronic Balloting May be Coming to HOA Elections

Under the Davis Stirling Act as currently written, common interest developments (“CIDs”) are required to comply with certain procedures for conducting elections. Among other requirements, the Act requires CIDs run by homeowners associations (“HOAs”) to adopt rules and appoint inspectors for the purpose of verifying signatures, counting and tabulating votes.…

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Consequences for failing to distribute HOA annual budget?

*Asked & Answered Asked: Are there any negative consequences or liability that can result from our Board’s failure to distribute the HOA’s annual budget? Answered: Yes. California Civil Code Section 1365 requires a homeowners association (“HOA”) board of directors to prepare and distribute an annual pro forma operating budget to…

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Legislative & Case Law Update (2013) Now Available!

Our annual “Legislative & Case Law Update” newsletter for the year 2013 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 2013. The new legislation includes, among other…