Families were forced out of their homes Tuesday night after an condo complex flooded in Allied Gardens. The incident occurred just before 11 p.m. in the 5100 block of Fontaine Street. People in the Villa Fontaine community were either sleeping or getting ready to go to sleep when the roaring rapids came through. Read […]
Firefighters Quell Blaze at Sylmar Condo Complex; No Injuries Reported (CA)
A two-alarm fire erupted in a Sylmar neighborhood today at a two-story condominium complex, prompting a quick response from the Los Angeles Fire Department. According to a LAFD alert, smoke was seen billowing from both floors of the residence located at 13080 N Dronfield Ave at 12:53 PM. Read the article…………………………….
Oswit Land Trust files cross-complaint, claiming HOA interfered with preserve project, grant funding (CA)
In the ongoing battle over a former golf course destined to become a nature preserve, Oswit Land Trust (OLT) has filed a cross-complaint against the Mesquite Country Club Condominium Homeowners Association, alleging breach of contract and interference with a multimillion-dollar grant. Read the article…………………………….
HOA Homefront: Readers have questions about the reduction in member quorum (CA)
Q: If the association bylaws state that a director can only be removed by a 51% of the membership, can that bylaw be nullified by recent legislation? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Hope Ranch Homeowners Battle over Height Limits (CA)
Whether Santa Barbara County upholds a nearly 85-year-old height restriction on a property in Hope Ranch could impact which future developments can gain approval in the upscale coastal residential community. When the ranch was first developed roughly 100 years ago, some properties had deed restrictions, limiting residences to a single story. Read the article…………………………….
Police commissioner, spouse implicated in campaign of harassment (CA)
Kristen Guhde only wanted a home when she moved into her condo conversion in a historic building on Capp Street. She says instead, she got protracted drama and conflict with controlling and vexatious neighbors at her homeowners’ association. But unlike the many other neighborhood disputes in San Francisco, the neighbors are a San Francisco police […]
A collaborative success: Thank you to all who supported and assisted with the Tahoe Keys Control Methods Test (CA)
Following a thorough analysis and significant public input, in 2022 the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) began a project to test innovative methods to control the aquatic invasive weeds in the Tahoe Keys Lagoons. Aquatic invasive species pose a serious risk to Tahoe’s water quality and clarity, native species, and the public’s enjoyment of […]
HOA Homefront: Why is HOA living and governance so HARD (CA)
Living in HOAs and governing HOAs can seem frustrating at times, but there are reasons for that frustration, and sometimes recognizing the issues helps. After 35 years of advising HOAs, I would like to share with you, readers, some factors that often contribute to these recurring challenges. Read the article…………………………….
Rancho Palos Verdes homeowners offered home buyouts (CA)
Some Rancho Palos Verdes homeowners in a neighborhood where shifting land damaged homes are being offered a voluntary buyout. Video news report……………………..
Families reach $30 million settlement in Encinitas bluff collapse suit (CA)
A $30 million settlement has been reached with the families of three women who died in a 2019 bluff collapse at Grandview Beach in Encinitas. The family sued the city of Encinitas, the state of California and a local condominium association, alleging negligence. Video news report……………………..
‘Whoville at The Canyons’ Christmas event in Hixson discontinued over traffic and safety concerns (CA)
A popular Christmas show in a Hixson neighborhood has been canceled indefinitely due to concerns over traffic and safety, an administrator announced on the “Whoville at The Canyons” social media page this week. The show, which featured the Grinch and other elaborate Christmas imagery and lights, had been put on by residents in The Canyons, […]
Lawsuit hopes to close Tulare clinic offering abortion services (CA)
The Tulare Medical Center Property Owners’ Association filed its lawsuit on September 30, naming FPA Women’s Health and the building owners, Leopoldo and Jennifer Valdivia, as defendants. The clinic opened in October. The suit alleges that FPA Women’s Health violates the property owners’ association’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CCRs) by providing abortion services. Read the […]
HOA Homefront: Is quorum lowered for board recalls? (CA)
Q: I have a question regarding clarification of Civil Code 5115 — an “election” versus a “recall.” If bylaws say 51% for the “removal” of a director by the membership, but another bylaw reads a quorum can be as low as 15% for an election of directors, which one is in effect for a “recall” […]
Home sales are being completed at fraud-tied San Jose condo complex (CA)
Housing sales are being completed in a San Jose condominium complex that’s one of several properties mired in a massive Bay Area real estate fraud case, raising hopes for investors who lost money. Read the article…………………………….
HOA Homefront: How the Corporate Transparency Act affects board members (CA)
Congress in 2021 enacted the Corporate Transparency Act, a law designed to help law enforcement and intelligence agencies catch money launderers and international criminals. All registered corporations outside of 23 exempt categories must file with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and identify their “beneficial owners.” Read the Q&A………………………………..
Canyon Lake POA restricts service provider access on Halloween (CA)
In an effort to ensure the safety and enjoyment of its residents during Halloween festivities, the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association has announced that service providers will not be permitted gate access into the community on October 31. Read the article…………………………….
One million gallons a day pumped into ocean to stabilize Rancho Palos Verdes slide neighborhoods (CA)
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council unanimously approved a $5 million emergency financial relief program, at its Tuesday, October 1 meeting, to assist residents impacted by the Portuguese Bend landslide and the resulting utility shutoffs. The funds, provided through Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office, will offer up to $10,000 per affected homeowner for […]
Rancho Palos Verdes residents affected by land movement to receive emergency funds (CA)
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council approved $2.8 million in landslide relief funds to some 280 homeowners affected, if not devastated. by recent land movement and utility shutoffs. The affected area on the Palos Verdes Peninsula has been part of a decades-long, slow-moving landslide. Last year’s spring rains greatly accelerated land movement, leaving homes and […]
La Habra Sinkhole Follow-Up (CA)
In 2019, heavy rainstorms caused a 100-foot-long sinkhole to form between two rows of homes in a complex, disrupting residents’ lives and posing a safety risk. Subsequent storms expanded the sinkhole, increasing the threat to nearby homes and adding to the inconvenience and expense for homeowners. Read the article…………………………….
Agoura Hills Lake Lindero HOA loses $15.6-million judgment (CA)
A Van Nuys Superior Court judge ordered the Lake Lindero Homeowners Association in Agoura Hills to pay a $15.6-million judgment to the club’s former management company, Golf Projects Lindero, for the 2018 wrongful termination of GPL’s contract with the HOA. Read the article…………………………….
Senate Bill 900 is a bonanza for insurance companies and a blow to housing affordability (CA)
Legislation now on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk proposes a transfer of vast wealth from California homeowners to California utility companies. Senate Bill 900 would force homeowners to maintain and repair the pipelines delivering gas, water, and electricity to the millions of townhomes, condos, co-ops, and planned developments in the state. Read the article…………………………….
Castlewood at crossroads: Association mulls options after county hits homeowners with 172% water rate hike (CA)
The bad news from the Castlewood Property Owners Association board on Sept. 17 was blunt — there’s nothing that can be done about the 2024-25 property tax bill that will be hitting mailboxes soon. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors already approved it, with local supervisors Nate Miley and David Haubert supporting it with the […]
Fire at an Arden-Arcade condo complex leaves eight occupants displaced (CA)
Sacramento Metropolitan fire crews extinguished a fire that burned multiple condos in a neighborhood in Arden-Arcade on Saturday. Three condos on Oak Terrace Court sustained extensive fire damage. Metro Fire said no injuries were sustained as all occupants were able to safely get out of the condos before firefighters arrived. Read the article…………………………….
HOA Homefront: What is board quorum and is board immunity unlimited? (CA)
Dear Kelly, My HOA bylaws authorize a board of seven directors, but only three members attended a recent board meeting because there were four vacancies. At one meeting, only two directors attended, and approved significant actions. The board contended that since it had only three members, two of three fulfilled its quorum- “majority”. Read the […]
Insurance companies prohibited from dropping customers in SoCal fire zones for 1 year
For years, Southern Californians have complained about being dropped by their insurance companies, for seemingly no other reason than because they live in areas prone to wildfires. But it’s something that around 750,000 people who live in the areas affected by the recent Airport, Bridge and Line fires won’t have to worry about for another […]
‘Don’t leave us hanging’: Much needed pothole repair may finally get attention (CA)
Determining who the road belongs to and who is responsible to maintain it has turned out to be complicated; the City will continue to look into the surveyor’s records to determine why this pothole is located in a ‘no man’s land.’ “Our City Surveyor has done some prior research and determined that it appeared to […]
HOA Homefront: Are we properly insured? (CA)
Q: What is the correct way to look up condo or PUD while trying to get an insurance policy? We looked at the CC&Rs and the HOA’s insurance summary mentions PUD. Also, my mother’s condominium just updated their CCR’s and is releasing responsibility of 16 items, which I believe makes her property a PUD now. […]
California Association of Community Managers (CACM) Launches The HOA Life Podcast
The California Association of Community Managers (CACM) is excited to announce the launch of their podcast “CACM Chat: The HOA Life.” The first episode was released today and is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The weekly podcast is geared toward anyone interested or involved in community associations, also known as HOAs. California is […]
May an HOA trim trees on a parcel within the HOA when its CC&Rs do not include a tree-cutting provision while other parcels do have a provision? (CA)
Facts: A homeowners’ association (HOA) wants to trim trees on a parcel within the HOA to protect the view of other parcels. The covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) on the parcel do not contain a tree-trimming provision for protecting the scenic views of other parcels in the HOA. Another parcel in the HOA with a […]
Political sign thefts under investigation; Sun City neighbors call for accountability (CA)
Neighbors in Sun City Palm Desert are telling News Channel 3 an investigation is underway after they say a number of political sign were stolen. Neighbors are now calling for accountability after the string of alleged thefts left several dozen homeowners without their Harris-Walz signage. Read the article…………………………….
Governor Newsom Declares State Of Emergency In Rancho Palos Verdes (CA)
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Rancho Palos Verdes on Tuesday due to the impacts of accelerated land movement on the provision of basic utility services. Over Labor Day weekend, residents in the Portuguese Bend neighborhood had their electricity cut indefinitely and were evacuated from their homes. SoCalGas shut off gas […]
SoCal Edison turning off power to an additional block of homes in Rancho Palos Verdes (CA)
SoCal Edison has announced plans to cut off power at more homes in Rancho Palos Verdes this week, just hours after the utility company indefinitely ended their service for 140 homes on Sunday. Company officials say that the decision again comes for “safety reasons,” and will go into effect at 7 p.m. on Monday for […]
Californians will soon say goodbye to wood fences, plants near fire-prone homes
California is chipping away at developing new statewide rules to remove plants, mulch and other flammable materials within 5 feet of buildings and structures in fire-prone areas, the Board of Forestry confirmed this month. This proposed set of guidelines would also forbid that ubiquitous backyard feature — a wooden privacy fence. This rule lumps existing […]
Power to be shut off in Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhood amid land movement worries (CA)
Southern California Edison will cut off power Sunday at noon to 140 homes in the Portuguese Bend Community Association neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes, weeks after gas service was shut down in the area amid enduring land-movement worries. In July, Southern California Gas Company abruptly shut off service to 135 homes in the area. Read […]
HOA Homefront: Can we use acclamation, voting boxes and board-signed envelopes? (CA)
Q: How many consecutive elections by acclamation? Our HOA board with management approval held a 3rd consecutive acclimation year. What does Civil Code allow? When must an election be held even though open seats same as those applying? Thank you for your most helpful informative newsletters. Read the Q&A………………………………..
Allstate increases California home insurance rates by 34 percent
Homeowners in California insured by Allstate are facing a rate increase. Allstate was recently approved for an insurance rate hike by the California Department of Insurance, the insurance company said in a statement to KRON4. The rate hike is set to be an average of 34.1% for more than 350,000 homeowners across California. Allstate is […]
Residents evacuated as fire burns condominium building in Nipomo’s Blacklake community (CA)
Cal Fire responded to a residential structure fire at a condominium building in Nipomo on Thursday morning. According to emergency services app PulsePoint, at around 10:48 a.m., Cal Fire received reports of a multi-story structure fire threatening at least four units in the 1400 block of Golf Course Lane in the Blacklake community. Read the […]
17,000 Liberty Mutual customers in CA to lose fire insurance policy: Here’s what you need to know
It’s another blow to homeowners across the state. Liberty Mutual fire insurance company is the latest company ending fire insurance in California. About 17,000 California policy holders will not have their “dwelling fire insurance” renewed. Those changes started last fall and will run thru November. Read the article…………………………….
San Diego Country Estates homeowners are not ‘customers’ (CA)
The San Diego Country Estates HOA board recently voted to eliminate quarterly guest passes and 10% food discounts. While distressing, it is not unexpected. This board doesn’t seem to understand the nature of our HOA. As homeowners in the Estates, we OWN all the facilities. Some have mistakenly called them “businesses.” They are not. They […]
Rancho Palos Verdes faces ‘unprecedented new scenario’ over landslide danger (CA)
The forces behind the relentless land movement plaguing Rancho Palos Verdes appear to be more complicated, and possibly more widespread, than originally thought — forcing the city to once again rethink how it can limit some the mounting damage. Officials confirmed a very deep and active landslide plane — previously considered dormant — during exploratory […]
Palos Verdes Residents Sue City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, L.A. County and Others Alleging Inverse Condemnation, Negligence, Dangerous Condition and More (CA)
Attorneys from ACTS LAW filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging inverse condemnation, negligence and other failures from utilities, contractors and several municipalities led to the landslides that have continually plagued residents over the last two years. Several residents in Palos Verdes who are directly impacted by the well-publicized landslides filed the lawsuit […]
HOA Homefront: How do we face the accuser in disciplinary hearings? (CA)
Q: We have a small HOA. Currently, we are conducting both membership and board meetings in person or by Zoom. There is one owner that generally attends all meetings and is allowed to discuss items on the agenda. That owner also refuses to pay late fees on their monthly HOA fees, so technically they are […]
Glen Cove celebrating its Firewise USA designation (CA)
“Glen Cove residents teamed up with Solano Resource Conservation District and staff from Wildland Res Mgt. to conduct a comprehensive survey of all 2,443 buildings in the community. Those results – covering features like construction materials, vegetation clearance around structures, and open space features – were then incorporated into a Community Action Plan outlining the […]
ADUs as Condos: What Does it Mean for Homeownership? (CA)
A California law may soon make homeownership more attainable for some Americans. AB-1033 permits California property owners to build and sell Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as separate entities, much like condos, independent of the main house. This law offers homeowners more flexibility in developing their properties and creates much-needed housing in urban areas. San Jose […]
Person hospitalized, dog killed in Antioch condominium fire (CA)
Firefighters worked to contain a fire on Wednesday at a condominium in Antioch, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said. All residents of the building were evacuated. One person was taken to the hospital, according to Con Fire. Their condition is unknown at this time. Firefighters were able to rescue one dog, but another […]
Huge sinkhole in middle of O.C. condo complex to be permanently repaired (CA)
It was in January 2019 when residents of the Coyote Village condominiums in La Habra first had to be evacuated after ground their complex occupied opened up following torrential rains, creating a 120-by-40-foot hole. One resident who had lived at the property for 20 years told the L.A. Times it felt like a small earthquake […]
Lodi homeowner complies with HOA, removes 2 of 3 Trump 2024 signs posted (CA)
There is a banner debate in Lodi with the Sunwest Homeowners Association responding to CBS13 after it initially reported how it was requiring a resident to remove his Donald Trump 2024 signs and banners. Read the article…………………………….
12 arrested in Santa Clara mail theft investigation (CA)
What started as a mail theft investigation at a condominium complex in Santa Clara has resulted in 12 arrests. Santa Clara police say their investigation led them to bust a major fraud and theft ring. On August 5, a person using a postal service key was captured on security video opening all 130 mailboxes at […]
Lodi homeowner keeping Trump 2024 signs posted on porch despite HOA pushback (CA)
There is a debate over banners posted on one Lodi resident’s house after their homeowner’s association sent a letter that said he had to remove the signs he had posted out in front that support Donald Trump. Read the article…………………………….
Millennium Tower owners could face $10k fine for open windows (CA)
Owners of the troubled Millennium Tower could soon face hefty fines — simply for leaving their windows open at the wrong time. The tower, notorious for its leaning and sinking, has been dealing with separate window problems dating back to before February 2020. That’s when an open window broke free in high winds and plunged […]