*Asked & Answered Asked – Our HOA has been receiving architectural applications from Owners who are requesting to install tall trees or increase the height of their property walls for additional privacy. However, several neighbors have expressed their stark opposition to any modifications that would impact the views from their property.…
*New Legislation AB 2912, passed in 2018, provided welcome protections to homeowners in HOA’s from fraudulent activities by those entrusted with managing an HOA’s finances. AB 2912’s protections included: 1) requiring Associations to secure fidelity bond insurance in an amount equal to or exceeding current reserves, plus three months of…
Rules are meant to be followed. However, some homeowners unknowingly or knowingly violate these rules. What should an association do under these circumstances? First and foremost, every association should have clear disciplinary and enforcement procedures (i.e., due process) regarding the handling of a homeowner’s violation of the association’s governing documents…
*Asked & Answered Asked – We recently completed our annual meeting/election where approximately ninety-four percent (94%) of the membership participated. Almost immediately thereafter, we received a petition to recall the Board of Directors (“Board”). Must our association go forward with the recall election? What alternate options are available to the Board?…
*Asked & Answered Asked – Many owners in the community have requested that the board of directors consider removing an old, largely unused tennis court. We have three other tennis courts in the community and the space could be repurposed for a variety of other uses. Does the board have…
Megan’s Law is a federal law that permits authorities to release information about registered sex offenders (“Registered Offender”). California has a database of Registered Offenders available for public viewing on the internet (see www.meganslaw.ca.gov). Searches can be done by a Registered Offender’s name, or by city, zip or within a…
[As written by Rip Van Winkle on June 15, 2021] In early March 2020, I fell asleep upon drinking my favorite beverage on a California beach. When I awoke today on June 15, 2021, I am surprised to see people celebrating in the streets and face masks in the trash. …
As of June 15, 2021, Governor Newsom terminated the executive orders that created the Stay-at-Home Order and the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. These orders have been replaced with and superseded by a new State Public Health Officer Order of June 11, 2021 (“Current Order”). This New Order requires all…
*New Case Law The Court of Appeals recently ruled in Issakhani v. Shadow Glen Homeowners Association, Inc. (2021) 63 Cal.App.5th 917, that homeowners associations do not have a duty of care to provide onsite parking to invitees. In that case, a pedestrian was struck by a car when jaywalking across…
*Asked & Answered Asked – How should our HOA handle a hostile homeowner who is being abusive to other residents and overwhelms management staff with endless emails and other harassing communication? Answered – We previously blogged about workplace harassment and hostile work environments for management professionals. Unfortunately, harassment in Associations is…