Are you wondering about the balconies in your community? Well if you missed the presentation by ADAMS | STIRLING PLC regarding HOA balcony repairs and updates, here’s a follow-up Q&A by the Davis-Stirling.com Newsletter that may help. Read the Q&A………………………………..
HOA Homefront: Must our manager attend the board meeting? (CA)
Dear Kelly, Is it legal for the board of a community to host a meeting without including representation from the HOA’s management? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Eroding bluffs could send California homes tumbling into the ocean. What can be done?
In the summer of 2019, the Casa Mira Homeowners Association sought to armor a stretch of coastline near a condominium complex, apartment building, sewage line and California Coastal Trail segment but were only authorized by the Coastal Commission to build 50 feet of seawall to protect the apartments. The association filed a lawsuit against the […]
Judge orders inspection of hoarder house in Ocean View Hills (CA)
She also blames neighbors for causing issues. At least three neighbors have filed restraining orders against Golden over the years, accusing her of harassment. Also in the courtroom Tuesday, an attorney for the bank that Golden has a mortgage with, as well as an attorney for the homeowner’s association where she lives. Read the […]
Editorial | Rio del Mar walkway battle: ‘To the barricades’ (CA)
The Great Rio del Mar Walkway Standoff has made national news. The battle pits 27 property owners against the power of the state Coastal Commission, a headline-churning conflict that either shows the defiant spirit of the citizenry against a cumbersome state bureaucracy, or is yet another example of how wealthy people believe they can make […]
Is my HOA supposed to notify us in advance? (CA)
Q: My question is whether it is legal to raise one’s HOA fees without a prior notification of proposed increase. I am aware that the board has the authority to raise fees, but I’d like to know if it is legal to raise the without prior notification. Read the Q&A………………………………..
What homeowners, renters and neighbors are saying about Rio Del Mar HOA’s new coastal barrier (CA)
After the California Coastal Commission slapped a Rio Del Mar homeowners association with a fine nearing $5 million in December for turning a public walkway along Seacliff State Beach into private patios, the homeowners association decided to take it a step further. Read the article…………………………….
The delicate balance of HOA assessments
Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the Real Estate Whisperer, where I tackle the ins and outs of 92101 living with a pinch of humor and a dash of reality. Today’s hot topic? The ever-dreaded HOA assessment increases. Yes, I can almost hear the collective groans from here. But before we hoist the pitchforks and […]
Canyon Lake POA employee receives prestigious industry award (CA)
Canyon Lake Property Owners Association (CLPOA) employee Harmony McNaughton received the prestigious 2024 California Association of Community Managers (CACM) Innovator Vision Award on Thursday, February 27, during the CACM Law Seminar & Expo at the Disneyland Hotel and Convention Center. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowner Associations: Attorney’s Fees Are Not Fiduciary Duty Breach Tort Damages And $1.328 Million Fee Award Against Individual Directors Under Civil Code Section 5975 Reversed As A Matter Of Law. (CA)
In Colyear v. Rolling Hills Community Assn. of Rancho Palos Verdes, Case No. B308382 (2d Dist., Div. 4 Mar. 1, 2024) (partially published; fee discussion not published), plaintiff homeowner won a declaratory relief action based on a dispute over tree-trimming covenants in certain recorded Declarations, with the lower court awarding plaintiff over $1.328 million in […]
Corona Woman Sentenced In Federal Embezzlement Case (CA)
A Corona woman was sentenced Friday to four years and nine months in federal prison for embezzling nearly $1 million from her employer. Jenev Boyd, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes, who also ordered her to pay $780,810 in restitution. Boyd was a long-time employee and director of accounting for Corona-based […]
Thousands of California Homeowners to Lose Their Insurance
Thousands of California homeowners will be out of luck as American National Group stops offering the state coverage. American National Group, which was purchased by Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners for $5.1 billion around two years ago, is yet another insurance agency to leave the state as home repair prices surge amid wildfires and heightened […]
HOA Homefront – Reader Question – Our HOA Has No Board (CA)
Dear Kelly, I have been a member of a small condo for over two years. There are no board members and the HOA doesn’t meet either in person or virtually. All communication is via email for voting. One owner acts as an accountant, quasi-treasurer, just paying bills and preparing quarterly statements. People have given her […]
For some residents of East Garrison, their dream home has become a nightmare. (CA)
The overarching story they all tell is that over the course of the last year-plus, leadership changes in the HOA – which has a board of four residents and one seat for a representative from a developer – combined with a new company managing the HOA, …… have turned what was once a peaceful, neighborly […]
HOA Homefront: New Law Restricting Watering of HOA “Nonfunctional Turf” (CA)
Dear Mr. Richardson: Can you address AB1572 which will have a huge effect financially on our HOA? Read the Q&A………………………………..
In the face of $4.8 million fine, Rio Del Mar HOA doubles down and erects a new coastal fence (CA)
What’s in a fence? For a Rio Del Mar homeowners association, state regulators and local residents, a brand-new barrier blocking the public from a beachside walkway represents the latest turn in a winding, yearslong battle around public access and private property rights. Read the article…………………………….
New security cameras now operating in Spyglass Hill as part of pilot program (CA)
As part of a pilot program approved last June by the Newport Beach City Council, private security cameras are now up and running in the public right-of-way at the entrances to the Spyglass Hill neighborhood. Eight cameras were deployed on Monday and Tuesday, with two at each of the four main thoroughfares to Spy Glass […]
HOA Homefront: Reader wants to know, ‘Is my dog allowed?’ (CA)
Q: I am hoping you could help me with my HOA that’s trying to remove my daughter’s support dog because of its weight and breed. They are threatening to come and have her removed because she got too big. Can they do this? It would devastate my daughter if they took her dog Read the Q&A………………………………..
Fire Damages Condo Complex In Venice (CA)
A fire damaged a condo in Venice Wednesday, but firefighters were able to stop it from spreading to nearby units. Read the article…………………………….
Firefighters battle large blaze at Long Beach condo complex, rescue severely injured dog (CA)
More than two dozen Fire Department vehicles rushed to the scene of a blaze burning at a condo complex at Pacific Coast Highway and Bellflower Boulevard in East Long Beach on Monday evening Read the article…………………………….
HOA Homefront – Reader Questions – Do Our Balconies Require Inspection? (CA)
Kelly, I am on the board for our HOA, which is comprised of single family residences. Does the new balcony law pertain to our situation? Quite a few of our homes have decks on the rear for a better view, all going through an architectural application to the architectural committee. Read the Q&A………………………………..
Rohnert Park condominium fire displaces two families; ashes left on balcony likely cause (CA)
Fireplace ashes left on a balcony likely caused a Rohnert Park condominium fire that displaced two families Thursday afternoon, investigators said. Read the article………………………..
Displaced families struggle to find housing after condominium fire in Oxnard (CA)
The department was able to get utilities turned back on for some units and the residents were able to go home, but two units were red-tagged, meaning those homes were unsafe to occupy and needed extensive repairs, according to Hamilton. Rivera’s home was one of them. Read the article………………………………
7 displaced, firefighter injured in Saratoga condominium complex fire (CA)
Crews responded to a fire at a condominium complex in Saratoga on Friday, the Santa Clara County Fire Department announced on X. Around 11:58 a.m., multiple condominium units in the area of Stoneridge Drive had been affected by the blaze. Read the article……………………………
HOA Homefront: Reader Questions – Who Insures What in the Planned Development? (CA)
Kelly: Can a Planned Unit Development purchase “Bare Walls” fire insurance for residences since the HOA does not own them? Read the article………………………….
Coastal Commission weighs $4.7M fine for Rio Del Mar homeowners (CA)
The homeowners association governing most of those townhomes believes the path is private, and a Santa Cruz County judge agreed last year. The California Coastal Commission, the über-powerful agency that oversees land use along the state’s coast, has long argued that the path is public. Now, the commission is threatening penalties unprecedented in Santa Cruz […]
Santa Cruz County homeowners face $4.7 million in fines for blocking public access to beach walkway (CA)
Citing violations as far back as 1982, the commission will weigh a staff recommendation to fine the Rio Del Mar Beach Island Homeowners Association – and its estimated 27-home membership, most of which are vacation rentals – more than $4.7 million. Allegations include blocking the public’s access to a 37-foot-wide, almost quarter-mile long stretch of […]
HOA stuns community after setting unprecedented standards for landscaping: ‘We have to do this’ (CA)
One homeowners association in Bakersfield, California, broke the mold this year by removing grass lawns and installing “water-wise” landscaping, 23ABC reported. Read the article…………………………..
HOA Homefront: A dozen long-term HOA challenges (CA)
Dear Readers, this marks the 700th “HOA Homefront” column since it debuted in 2005. At this milestone, I would like to share with you 12 significant challenges for HOAs. Read the Q&A………………………
Canyon Lake POA completes sale of fire station to City of Canyon Lake (CA)
In a historic move, today marks the culmination of 11 months of negotiations as the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association completes the sale of the fire station to the City of Canyon Lake. Escrow is expected to close today, December 8. Read the article……………………………
OCFA Firefighters Put Out Flames in Lake Forest Condo (CA)
Two people were taken to a hospital from a fire in a second-story unit of a Lake Forest condominium unit, authorities said Monday. Read the article………………………………
HOA Homefront: Q&A on elections and board shenanigans (CA)
Boards should not be playing tactical games to preserve their power. It’s a volunteer position, and if the community would prefer different leadership, egos need to be set aside in favor of the HOA’s democratic process Read the Q&A………………………………
Rancho Santa Fe homeowners group illegally collected $1.5M in COVID-19 relief (CA)
The Rancho Santa Fe Association, the nonprofit homeowners group that runs a historic golf course and other amenities in the exclusive covenant near Del Mar, has acknowledged it applied for and collected $1.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds it was not eligible to receive. Read the article………………………………
Hancock Park condo residents sue over ‘life-threatening’ flooding (CA)
When it rains, it really, really pours at The Rossmore. During one heavy storm last winter, 29 cars were flooded in the condominium complex’s underground parking garage at 585 N. Rossmore Ave. “Every car was a total loss,” said Caroline Debbané, president of The Rossmore Owners Association (the condo residents’ HOA). Read the article…………………………….
Canyon fire re-ignites community action (CA)
In the aftermath of the three-alarm fire that suddenly broke out in Canyon last month, awakening residents – most of whom evacuated immediately to Pinehurst Road and beyond – the community is now coming together to hone battle plans for what may come. Read the article………………………………
New CA law allows homeowners to sell their ADU similar to a condominium
A new California law opens the door for homeowners to sell an ADU in their backyard. Supporters said this will create more affordable housing, but not everyone is convinced it will work in San Diego Read the article……………………………..
Report claims rain caused massive landslide in Rolling Hills Estates (CA)
After a massive landslide destroyed a dozen homes and forced widespread evacuations in Rolling Hills Estates, a new report released Friday claims excessive rainfall was to blame for the destruction. Read the article…………………………………
Residents of East Garrison are coming to grips with taxes and fees that weren’t part of the sales pitch (CA)
Residents were concerned about a recent property tax bill that showed an approximate 40-percent increase in charges related to the CSD, which pays for ongoing services, in perpetuity, for things within the district like park maintenance. (One homeowner who shared their bills from fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24 showed a jump from $1,586 to $2,218 […]
HOA Homefront: Do we have to Zoom? (CA)
Q: I’m still confused about holding board meetings. We use Zoom for our meetings as we have no convenient place to meet in person. Is it a hard and fast rule that we must hold an occasional in-person meeting somewhere? If so, what if I offered to meet with any homeowners at the pool to […]
HOA Homefront: Do We HAVE to Zoom, readers ask? (CA)
Q: I’m still confused about holding board meetings. We use Zoom for our meetings as we have no convenient place to meet in person. Is it a hard and fast rule that we must hold an occasional in-person meeting somewhere? If so, what if I offered to meet with any homeowners at the pool to […]
HOA suing over creation of Prescott Preserve at former golf course site will seek to negotiate settlement (CA)
Until the lawsuit is resolved, the organization that purchased the property, Oswit Land Trust, has been prevented from making major changes, including any significant restoration. Read the article………………………………
Reader Questions: Who’s the Boss – Manager or Board? (CA)
Q: I am president of an HOA with management whose performance has been lackluster. Lackluster is characterized by little to no communications unless initiated by the board, not following through with board instructions, and inability to manage our violations process in a steady and predictable manner. Read the Q&A……………………………..
Los Robles Estates Homeowners Association has become a nationally recognized Firewise USA community. “What that means” (CA)
Residents of a Thousand Oaks neighborhood have come together to lower their wildfire risk. In so doing, the Los Robles Estates Homeowners Association has become a nationally recognized Firewise USA community. “What that means is that we have now received national recognition for having a framework for this community to be able to lower their […]
HOA Homefront: Readers want to know who watches the managers? (CA)
Q: What state agency oversees management companies? The management company manager refuses to speak to any of the other board members except the president. Read the Q&A…………………………….
Sinkhole forces La Jolla residents out of condo (CA)
Residents of The La Jolla Terrace Condominium Complex are living in a hotel courtesy of the City of San Diego after a massive sink hole developed up against the property along Gilman Drive. Read the article………………………………….
La Jolla condo building is closed after months of reports of damage (CA)
Deteriorating conditions that started with a sinkhole next to the building on Gilman Drive have gotten worse in recent months, forcing some residents into a hotel at the city of San Diego’s expense. Read the article………………………………..
California Association of Community Managers (CACM) Develops New Certification for Industry Service Providers
The California Association of Community Managers is rolling out a new Certification Program tailored to the industry’s service providers. The new designation, California Certified Industry Partner (CCIP), will be awarded to individuals who complete the coursework and other requirements. Read the article……………………………….
A new law allows homeowner to sell ADUs like condos, boosting homeownership. Here’s how AB 1033 works (CA)
Accessory dwelling units, also referred to as ADUs and “granny flats,” have been available in California only as rentals. But a new law, Assembly Bill 1033, is giving Californians the opportunity to buy and sell them as condominiums. Read the article…………………………..
HOA Homefront — Can the board enforce that? Why don’t they? (CA)
Q: My HOA has made a bulk of the daily hours reserved for private use in our fitness rooms and saunas. Is this legal without a change in rules by the entire HOA? Read the Q&A…………………………………..
Millennium Tower residents billed $6.8 million for fix overruns (CA)
With work finally over on the so-called fix of the Millennium Tower, residents are now saddled with a $6.8 million bill out of an estimated $20 million in cost overruns on the long delayed and troubled retrofit project. Read the article……………………………….