*New Resource Various laws have been established to protect the rights of disabled individuals, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Federal Fair Housing Act (“FFHA”). These laws govern both public and private facilities, and set forth the degree to which an entity, such as a homeowners…
*New Resource Serving as a Director on your HOA’s Board can be a frustrating and thankless job. Raising assessments, enforcing the governing documents, and taking other potentially unpopular actions can lead to disputes and charged emotions. Despite that fact, Directors, as representatives of the Homeowners Association, must conduct themselves in…
*New Resource Electing a Board of Directors to manage the Association is a complex and time consuming process. Despite the best of intentions, sometimes things slip through the cracks, whether it’s the qualifications of someone on the ballot or the manner in which votes are collected and tallied. When this…
*Asked & Answered Asked – May a homeowner challenge the qualifications of a member to serve on the HOA’s Board of Directors after they have been elected? Answered – Maybe, depending on the date of the challenge. Corp. Code §7527 provides that “an action challenging the validity of any election,…
*New Resource Video surveillance cameras are now being installed almost everywhere, so why not in your homeowners association (HOA)? When used properly surveillance cameras can provide additional security, a greater sense of safety and a deterrent to would be criminals. Yet several questions and considerations are often raised with respect…
*Asked & Answered Asked – Is it true that the law requires an Association to send notifications and communications to the homeowners via USPS only? Answered – No. An Association’s governing documents may require that certain types of communications with homeowners be sent via USPS. However, in the event that…
The additional burdens that renters impose can be substantial for many common interest developments–especially those developments designed as “recreational communities.” Renters who lack a sense of investment in the community or who are unfamiliar with its operational structure can place greater strain on the community’s management and maintenance resources. This…
Our “2012 Legislative & Case Law Update” newsletter is now available in our library! The 2012 Legislative & Case Law Update provides an overview of the new legislation impacting California Homeowners Associations (“HOAs”) and the community association industry professionals who service them. The new legislation includes, among other things, bills…
*Asked & Answered Asked – Our Board wants to grant homeowners exclusive use of our Association’s common area storage closets and also charge a fee to such homeowners wanting exclusive use. May they do this without membership approval? Answered – Probably not. Civil Code § 1363.07 substantially restricts an Association’s…
In July of this year, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 209 (“SB 209”) into law. As a result, beginning January 1, 2012, Section 1353.9 will be added to the California Civil Code to restrict an association’s ability to prohibit the installation of Electric Vehicle (“EV”) charging stations (“Stations”). You may…