Controversy has erupted at a south La Quinta homeowners association community over a scheduled community drag bingo event after the featured drag performer was cut from the event. The decision is blamed on concerns from some members of the community that are being criticized by some as homophobic discrimination. Read the article………………………..
Residents of Woodson Bridge Estates in Corning concerned over growing feral cat colony (CA)
“We have probably 50 give or take feral cats running around that evidently didn’t exist before but are now being fed by several maybe a half a dozen residents that unfortunately are leaving messes in everybody’s yard.” Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — Solar for our whole HOA? (CA)
Q: We are a small HOA. We are debating going community solar contract vs individual solar installation contracts and looking for information to help us with the pros and cons of each. Do you have any information, or knowledge of a HOA that approved community-wide solar installation? Can you give us some insight as to […]
Angry Investors and a Big Hole Are All That Remain from Donald Trump’s Baja Condo Project (CA)
Closer to home, a number of prospective condominium buyers from Southern California — including many San Diegans — sued Trump more than a decade ago over a failed condominium project in Baja California. Read the article………………………..
AB 1101 Puts Condos at Risk (CA)
The California legislature is considering AB 1101 that would amend Civil Code §5551 and Health and Safety Code §17973 which require inspections of “exterior elevated elements” on condominiums and apartments for safety. These include balconies, elevated walkways, and staircases made of wood or wood-based products. The point is to detect or intercept rot that would […]
HOA Homefront: Solar for our whole HOA? Can mine be on common area roof? (CA)
Q: We are a small HOA. We are debating going with a community solar contract vs. individual solar installation contracts and looking for information to help us with the pros and cons of each. Do you have any information or knowledge of an HOA that approved community-wide solar installation? Can you give us some insight […]
‘Defective and Dangerous’: Window Failed at SF High-Rise Where Residents Had Sued (CA)
A 15-story residential building – one of six San Francisco high-rises where windows broke last month in high winds — had a history of prior failures that prompted homeowners to sue the window supplier for allegedly providing faulty windows prone to shatter unexpectedly, NBC Bay Area has learned. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront – Tips before the balcony inspection deadline (CA)
On June 16, 2015, a fifth-floor balcony at a Berkeley apartment building collapsed, killing seven people, allegedly due to weakening by severe dry rot. Three years later, the state of California adopted Senate Bill 721, requiring owners of multi-unit residential buildings to obtain architect or structural engineer inspections of above-ground “exterior elevated elements” by 2025 […]
HOA Homefront: How does somebody become HOA manager? (CA)
Q: What are the legal qualifications and California requirements to be a property management company or manager for homeowners associations? Read the Q&A……………………………….
2 Women Accused Of Starting Fire At Rohnert Park Condo Complex (CA)
Two women were arrested in connection with a January fire authorities say they started at a condominium complex in Rohnert Park. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — Getting board meetings in order
Unruly board meetings may be the most discouraging part of HOA living. Mature homeowners avoid such meetings, managers fear such meetings, and directors cannot even discuss the agenda without interruptions. When normal manners and courtesies are abandoned, meetings end in frustration Read the article………………………..
All Things Real Estate: HOA can make you move satellite dish if it doesn’t interfere with reception
Q: I live in an upscale, gated community. Several months ago I signed up for one of the satellite television services. The company came out and installed two small satellite dishes on my roof. I’ve just received a notice from the homeowners association that I must remove the dishes because they are visible from the […]
San Diego condo owners hit by high wildfire insurance to get some relief from state (CA)
State officials says a new plan will boost FAIR plan coverage limits to $20 million, helping condo HOAs in wildfire zones access insurance coverage. Read the article………………………..
Insurer Accused of Fraud and Bad Faith in Homeowners Association Fire Coverage Dispute (CA)
In a recent development, Village Gardens Homeowners Association (HOA) is fighting to keep its counterclaims of fraud and bad faith alive against Great American Alliance Insurance Co. in a California federal court. The case revolves around the insurer’s refusal to cover the HOA in litigation concerning a couple who sustained serious burns in a house […]
Insurer Accused of Fraud and Bad Faith in Homeowners Association Fire Coverage Dispute (CA)
In a recent development, Village Gardens Homeowners Association (HOA) is fighting to keep its counterclaims of fraud and bad faith alive against Great American Alliance Insurance Co. in a California federal court. The case revolves around the insurer’s refusal to cover the HOA in litigation concerning a couple who sustained serious burns in a house […]
Trees topple onto Union City condo complex; Residents evacuated (CA)
Dozens of people were evacuated from their homes after a number of trees came down on multiple buildings in a condominium complex in Union City Tuesday, a day the Bay Area saw widespread damage from gale-force winds. Read the article………………………..
Mission Street Closed After Windows Fail at Millennium Tower in High Winds (CA)
The fierce storm that whipped through San Francisco Tuesday is now suspected of triggering failures of 20 or more windows at the Salesforce Tower, and at least one window at the nearby Millennium Tower high-rise. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: Can one person destroy our meetings? (CA)
Q: Is there a way to limit comments and attendance at monthly board meetings? We have a member who is constantly making harassing comments at board meetings. Read the Q&A……………………………….
HOA Homefront — Nine myths regarding member discipline (CA)
One unpleasant but necessary aspect of association board service is imposing discipline in response to un-neighborly behavior by members. Here are nine myths regarding HOA discipline. Read the article………………………..
New sinkhole opens at La Habra complex where 2019 collapse remains unrepaired (CA)
Four years after a massive sinkhole opened behind a condo complex in La Habra, the ground has collapsed in a second nearby location. The two sinkholes are located adjacent to the Coyote Village complex off Imperial Highway. Read the article………………………..
Trees topple onto Union City condo complex; Residents evacuated (CA)
Dozens of people were evacuated from their homes after a number of trees came down on multiple buildings in a condominium complex in Union City Tuesday, a day the Bay Area saw widespread damage from gale-force winds. Read the article………………………..
Resort management company challenges charging commercial sewer rates for Stallion Springs condo units (CA)
The Resort Association of Stallion Springs, a California corporation, filed suit against the Stallion Springs Community Services District on Nov. 13, 2020. According to the complaint, the resort is a residential dwelling area for families in duplexes and triplexes that are deeded and recorded to separate homeowners. Stallion Springs Community Services District provides sewage disposal […]
Sinkhole in Encinitas grows after rainfall, City repairs will last through April (CA)
One board member for the Cardiff Park Homeowners Association says the city has not reached out to the association regarding the sinkhole, which sits yards away from homes. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — President imposes additional discipline (CA)
Q: I had a hearing regarding a rules violation. I thought it was unfair and asked for an internal dispute resolution (“IDR”) meeting. My punishment from the board was a suspension of privileges. At the IDR, the president (the one that pursued the violation against me) showed up with the member I asked for, to […]
HOAs in danger of losing coverage (CA)
The 650-unit community of Hidden Canyon was dropped by Farmers Insurance last year, forcing the homeowners association to scramble for an alternative. The end result: less coverage at a much higher cost. HOAs in high-fire-risk areas around the state are dealing with the same problem. Read the article………………………..
California senate committee addresses condo insurance crisis
The solution to the wildfire insurance crisis in California may be higher insurance rates for all homeowners – that’s what industry experts had to say while testifying last week in front of the California Senate Committee on Insurance. Read the article………………………..
Pine Mt. Club management says they’re “not responsible for individuals” (CA)
“We can’t take care of people individually, that’s not our job,” said Karin Shulman, Pine Mountain Club Property Owners Association general manager. Shulman said this just days after receiving assistance from Kern County officials. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — The misunderstood ‘exclusive use common area’ (CA)
The typical condominium project consists of three categories of property — the “separate interest” (normally called the “unit”), the “common area”, and a subset of common area called “exclusive use common area.” Misunderstandings regarding exclusive use areas lead to many avoidable disagreements Read the article………………………..
Insurance is a Privilege Not a Right (CA)
As you (hopefully) know, certain types of insurance are required by state statute in California, as well as in most other states. So, when someone stated “Insurance is a privilege not a right,” there was an audible gasp from most attendees in the room. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — HOAs still refusing to meet in person (CA)
Q: It seems our HOA is hiding behind an overused COVID excuse to hold their meetings virtually. Is there currently a requirement for these meetings to be exclusively virtual? Has such a past law been repealed or expired so that we are back to in-person? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Insurance industry pushes wildfire mitigation as solution to condo crisis (CA)
In recent months, more than 1,000 condo owners in San Diego have had their property insurance policies not renewed by Farmers Insurance due to wildfire risk. Janet Ruiz is the Director of Strategic Communication for the Insurance Information Institute, a nonprofit trade group that educates the public on behalf of the insurance industry. Read the […]
FEMA shares details on how they fix privately owned access roads and bridges (CA)
For multiple households that share the same road, FEMA also requires written consent from all applicants, a declarative statement saying any assistance FEMA covers will require residents to secure permits and the applicants do not have an established Homeowner’s Association or Covenant responsible for the repair of the access route. Read the article………………………..
Farmers cancels insurance for 115 homeowners in Scripps Ranch (CA)
More condominium owners are coming forward after not being renewed by Farmer Insurance due to wildfire risk. The Village Woods complex in Scripps Ranch with 115 condos is the latest to be dropped. Read the article………………………..
New HOA fees at Yorba Linda community may force residents out of their homes (CA)
However, he said last month, the HOA’s board unexpectedly increased their monthly dues by 20%, implemented a one-time special assessment and will collect emergency fees to make repairs to the property. “We all owe about $9,000, depending on the square footage of our respective units, on March 15,” said Ionita-Ariton. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — Delinquent, special, and emergency assessments (CA)
Q: Is an HOA allowed to announce the names of owners who have not paid their dues? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Keystone Expands In San Diego With Acquisition Of Curtis Management (CA)
California-based keystone , the premiere Homeowners Association management company in Southern California, has expanded in San Diego by acquiring curtis Management. Read the article………………………..
State legislators respond to condo insurance crisis from wildfire risk (CA)
Walt Mooromsky is one of 240 condo owners in the Canyon Park Villas in Mira Mesa, who recently had their property insurance not renewed by Farmers Insurance due to wildfire risk. Read the article………………………..
Sacramento communities buy license plate readers to stop crime (CA)
Natomas Park and Hamptons home owner’s associations are buying and installing license plate reader cameras. Natomas Park recently purchased 23 cameras, while Hamptons has nine. The cameras cover 6,000 households. Read the article………………………..
Debacle in the hills: How Fresno County officials ignored water warnings and why taxpayers are paying the price
Thirty years ago, residents told local officials that a boutique subdivision near Friant Dam didn’t have enough water. What happens when the water eventually runs out? Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: Delinquent, special and emergency assessments (CA)
Q: Is an HOA allowed to announce the names of owners who have not paid their dues? — K.G., Inglewood Read the Q&A……………………………….
Farmers cancel insurance for 338 homes in Rancho Bernardo (CA)
More condo owners are coming forward to report Farmers Insurance has not renewed their property insurance due to wildfire risk. Residents in the 338-unit Morada condo complex may now be looking at thousands of dollars in special assessments to get insurance on the secondary market. Read the article………………………..
Two-story condo building in Canyon Country catches fire (CA)
A two-story condo building in Canyon Country caught fire on Thursday evening, causing significant damage to two units and sending at least one person to the hospital, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department officials and reports from the scene. Read the article………………………..
Movie ranch gets help in Placerita Canyon ruling (CA)
While the court order was years in the making, a movie studio ranch suing a neighboring homeowners association over gate access in Placerita Canyon can count several wins in a judge’s stipulated order earlier this month.
Tierrasanta condo owners sound off after Farmers Insurance cancels policy (CA)
More than 300 condo owners in Tierrasanta are scrambling to find property insurance after Farmers Insurance cancelled their policy because of wildfire risk. Read the article………………………..
Beverly Crest triple shooting: Residents in area demand further regulations to short-term rentals (CA)
The Benedict Canyon homeowners association said this was the third time homicides have occurred at short-term rentals in their neighborhood in the past two-and-a-half years. Read the article………………………..
Supervisors, community members raise issues with new fire hazard severity zone map (CA)
Bill Groody, president of the Buckingham Homeowners Association and a board member of the Konocti Fire Safe Council, pointed out that in the new map, the entire Buckingham peninsula is in the very high fire area, up from half from the last map. “That is a very significant change.” Groody said he wasn’t there […]
HOA Homefront: Can we elect directors by acclamation? (CA)
Q: Our HOA has board elections coming up soon. We have two vacancies and two candidates who have formally applied to run. My question is, why can’t we just declare them the winners by acclamation rather than going to the expense of an election? Why is the board insisting on a formal election? Must we […]
HOA Homefront – New Year’s resolutions of HOA service providers (CA)
This is the fourth and final installment of this series, which previously addressed directors, homeowners, and managers. As the association’s service provider, I resolve to: Read the article………………………..