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………………………..
HOA Homefront: New Year’s resolutions for HOA service providers (CA)
This is the fourth and final installment of a series on resolutions for HOA members, which previously addressed directors, homeowners and managers. Read the article………………………..
Sacramento County condo complex goes nearly 3 weeks without hot water (CA)
Residents of the Alicante Villas in Sacramento County said they have been without consistent hot water for nearly three weeks. Erin Kennedy, who rents a unit at the condominium complex, said the issue first started on Dec. 29. KCRA 3 has confirmed with the Alicante Villas HOA Board, which is in charge of the hot […]
HOA Homefront: Managers’ New Year’s resolutions
Previous columns proposed resolutions for directors and HOA members, so today I share my ideas for managers. Next week, I’ll dig into resolutions for service providers. Read the article………………………..
Crews scramble to halt growing slide threatening Point Richmond homes (CA)
Many communities are still cleaning up and assessing damage from the storms that have already come through, hoping the next round of weather doesn’t make things worse. One of them is Point Richmond, where a crack in a hillside forced the evacuation of 15 homes in the Seacliff Neighborhood. Read the article………………………..
Man Dies in Lompoc Condominium Fire (CA)
A man was killed and another person escaped unharmed Friday in a residential structure fire in Lompoc, according to the Lompoc Fire Department. Read the article………………………..
More San Diego condo communities get clobbered by huge insurance rate hikes due to wildfire risks
Late last summer, Walt Mooromsky saw a notice posted at his Mira Mesa condominium complex announcing an urgent meeting on the mundane topic of property insurance. Read the article………………………..
Condo association lags on maintenance
Q: Hi, I live in a condo that I’m confident is not being cared for properly and I need some information, please, on what to ask for with regard to better maintenance not only from our board of directors, but then also with the management company. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Woman and Young Daughter Killed in Downey Condo Fire (CA)
A woman and her young daughter died in an early morning fire that tore through a condo building in Downey. Downey Fire Department firefighters were called just before 11 p.m. Tuesday to Dinsdale Street and Tweedy Lane. Three people were carried out of the burning apartment, which firefighters were able to contain after several hours. […]
Judge: Land trust must ‘maintain status quo’ of decaying golf course as lawsuit moves forward (CA)
ARiverside County Superior Court judge late last week agreed that parts of a lawsuit filed by a homeowners association have merit, temporarily preventing work to convert the Mesquite Golf and Country Club golf course into a nature preserve from moving forward. The leader of the group driving the project, however, said the ruling is “a […]
HOA Homefront: How to find peace in your HOA (CA)
With the holiday season upon us, a traditional wish is for peace and goodwill. Let’s not only extend this wish to family and friends but pursue “peace on earth and goodwill toward all” toward one’s HOA neighbors, too. Read the article………………………..
Reducing Wildfire Risk: Bella Vista community works to prevent future fires (CA)
Members of the Shasta County Fire Safe council teamed up with the Dusty Oaks Firewise community group on Thursday to take steps to prevent wildfires and limit the fire threat. Read the article………………………..
More Homeowners Getting Dropped by Insurance Companies Due to Wildfire Risk (CA)
Cynthia Marino and Dio Lokes are longtime neighbors in a condominium complex in Pomona. Their homeowners insurance company recently dropped them, and pointed to the hills that surround their condos, and said the fire risk is too high. Marino and Lokes said there haven’t been any nearby fires in years. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: Our manager is controlling us, and what is ‘four days’ notice (CA)
Q: I live in a relatively new development. Until a few months ago, the builder had control of the board. We had elections and now have resident board members. We have the same management company that existed before the residents became elected. This management company still wants to control everything Read the Q&A……………………………….
8 people displaced after condo fire in Irvine; 1 firefighter injured (CA)
Eight people have been displaced from their homes after a fire broke out at a two-story multi-family residential building in Irvine. The fire erupted at around 4 a.m. Sunday on the second floor of the building on Deerfield Avenue. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: What happens when they won’t pay HOA dues? (CA)
Q: A neighbor bought a condo and rents it out, but has not paid ANY HOA fees for over two years! When she is contacted about the past due fees, she says she will pay them when she wants. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Morgan Hill Community Still Dealing with Wild Pigs Problem (CA)
The people who live in the hilltop communities in Morgan Hill said they are definitely frustrated with the damage and mental stress caused by the wild pigs. As the problems and the size of the packs, keep growing. Read the article………………………..
Hearing held in wrongful death lawsuit of three women killed in Encinitas cliff collapse (CA)
Fell said the family is suing the city of Encinitas, the state of California and the local homeowner’s association. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: Are board meetings with no notice or agenda properly open? (CA)
Q: Our HOA continues to have meetings without posting a proper notice, no agenda. The directors receive an agenda, but the members do not. Is this considered an illegal meeting? And if so, do all the discussions and votes taken at this meeting need to be redone at a properly noticed meeting? Read the Q&A……………………………….
2 Dead In Townhome Fire Monday Morning (CA)
When crews arrived, one of the three people living in the unit told firefighters that the other two residents were still inside on the second floor. The residents inside died in the fire, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Chris Bachman said. Their names were not released. Read the article………………………..
Oceanside residential condo units damaged in fire (CA)
Fire officials said heavy smoke and flames could be seen coming from a second story balcony. Firefighters went into the structure to search for any potential victims and to control the blaze. Read the article………………………..
Coastal Commission wants changes at 1970s-era Oceanside beach condo complex (CA)
Homeowners at North Coast Village, a 12-acre, 550-condominium complex on the Oceanside beach, have asked the California Coastal Commission for permission to rebuild and enlarge the boulder seawall that protects them from the rising tides. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront – Reader Questions – Who Contacts the Attorney? (CA)
Q: Several years ago the board asked for an explanation regarding our Declaration. The board wanted to know its authority regarding certain issues within the development. The association’s attorney did an analysis of our CC&Rs and issued an answer. Since this analysis and resulting letter is of a general nature regarding our association, is it […]
I-Team In-Depth: CVWD water fines cutting water waste as customers seek to conserve and save money (CA)
Fines for excessive outdoor watering appear to be working for the Coachella Valley Water District as the state requires water agencies up and down California to reduce water use during the drought. But in an I-Team report, Jeff Stahl finds some higher-than-expected Coachella Valley Water District monthly bills are still taking customers by surprise. Read […]
HOA Homefront: If quorum fails, election fails (CA)
Q: Our HOA had an election for two board seats, there were three candidates. Not enough ballots were returned to make quorum. The quorum percentage decreased over the next few months. Then the current board decided to not even have the ballots counted and to keep the old board in place. Is this legal? Read […]
HOA Homefront: Help! The termites are bugging us (CA)
Q: Our small HOA has shared-wall units with varying degrees of termite infestation and owners are demanding that the HOA treat the problem. However, our CC&Rs make no mention of termites and we do not have a “different maintenance scheme” as prescribed in 4780(b). What must our HOA do to legally have the authority to […]
Carlton Square Homeowners Association fed up with trash left by concert, stadium attendees (CA)
Inglewood Mayor James Butts is routinely observed taking daily walks around the City which gives him a birds eye view to how the city looks to passerbys. He is however, “Ray Charles” to the trash left behind from attendees leaving SoFi Stadium and the Kia Forum which is part of his normal walking route. Read […]
County Takes Aim at Restrictive Covenants that Discriminate Against Ethnic Groups (CA)
Thousands of Santa Clara County property records include restrictions on the use, lease or purchase of property by particular groups of people, often minorities. Many of these restrictions date back to the 19th century. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — Know your governing documents (CA)
Governing documents are critical for HOA communities and are the legal glue holding the association together. Civil Code Section 4150 defines “governing documents” as articles of incorporation, CC&Rs, bylaws, and operating rules, but I think subdivision maps and condominium plans also should be regarded as governing documents. Read the article………………………..
An EV Charger Installation Odyssey
For the last year, I’ve contemplated installing an electric vehicle (EV) charger in my multi-dwelling condo in San Jose. Mind you; I don’t yet have an EV. But I have friends with EVs who frequently visit, so I figured it could be beneficial and convenient for others. Furthermore, I believe an EV charger couldn’t hurt […]
How this low-water groundcover held up during the late-summer heat (CA)
In an attempt to find a drought-tolerant ground cover for his Irvine homeowners’ association landscape, Jim Harrison introduced kurapia in selected areas this summer. Harrison wrote that it was “planted in July, filled in nicely in August, and survived well in September heat.” Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: New laws coming in 2023 protect roommates, social media posts (CA)
While 2021 was a banner year for positive HOA legislation, 2022 turned out to be less helpful in Sacramento for California HOAs. While many bills were introduced this year, only one made it to the governor’s desk. Assembly Bill 1410, authored by Assembly Member Freddie Rodriguez from Chino, was signed into law Sept. 30 by […]
Temporary fencing approved for debated Rio Del Mar patio walkway (CA)
After months of back and forth, a Santa Cruz Superior Court judge finalized his ruling this month in favor of securing Rio Del Mar private owners’ rights to a beachside walkway. Read the article………………………..
HUD charges California condo operators with disability discrimination
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has charged the operators of a 556-unit, high-rise condominium tower located in Long Beach, Calif., with discriminating against a homeowner because of disability by refusing to provide her a permanent parking space to accommodate her wheelchair-accessible van. Read the article………………………..
Laguna Woods HOA votes to set limits on outdoor watering (CA)
New watering restrictions for residents put in place by the Third Mutual Board are aimed at conservation during California’s record drought. Watering of outdoor personal plants using exterior mounted hose bibs is now limited to two days a week – Wednesdays and Sundays. However, residents may use watering cans filled inside their homes to water […]
HOA Homefront — Why can’t we attend board meetings? (CA)
Q: Outside the regularly scheduled board meeting, the directors are meeting to review and accept the treasurer’s developed budget. Can association members attend as observers only? What is the law on meeting outside noticed open board meetings? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Slumlord’s properties damage a Sacramento woman’s condo and several others in last four years (CA)
Rachel Buller bought her grandmother’s Sacramento condominium in early 2021 while in college at UC Davis and within a few months found the property had significant damage caused by the unit above hers. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront: Who does the HOA attorney represent?
Q: Does the HOA attorney represent the board or the HOA? If there is a conflict in different CC&Rs sections regarding HOA or homeowner’s responsibility to maintain an item and the HOA attorney is consulted who is their client? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Seniors in Oceanside receive help with insurance after CBS 8 story (CA)
A senior community that came to CBS 8 for help says they feel like they’re finally being heard. Last week, CBS 8’s Abbie Alford went to Oceanside to hear their concerns over a huge spike in insurance costs. Read the article………………………..
Palm Desert allocates $1 million for new turf rebate program in support of water conservation (CA)
The city announced that starting Sept. 15, residents, businesses, and HOAs within Palm Desert who qualify for CVWD’s current Turf Rebate Program may apply for additional funds provided by the City to convert areas of living turf to drought-tolerant landscaping. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — What is your HOA technology score? (CA)
Technology continues to scream forward at an amazing pace – is your HOA keeping up and using technology for maximum benefit to your members? How does your HOA rate? Read the article………………………..
Homeowner at odds with HOA over drought-tolerant landscape rules (CA)
A homeowner at North Park in Valencia says he reached out to his homeowner’s association with an application to put in a drought-tolerant garden, but says his application was delayed and ultimately rejected by the board. Read the article………………………..
A dispute over sidewalk damage puts Seaside and some of its residents at odds (CA)
The city of Seaside and residents of Seaside Highlands are at an impasse about who is responsible for repairing city-owned sidewalks in the neighborhood that are being damaged by the roots of sycamore trees. The cost of that work, in the city’s estimation, approaches $1 million. It’s a significant sum when divided among the development’s […]
Oswit Land Trust receives first grant to fund Prescott Preserve plans (CA)
Oswit Land Trust has received its first grant for the organization’s plans to convert the Mesquite Golf Club into a nature preserve, just a few weeks after a lawsuit filed against Oswit alleged the land trust purchased the golf course without plans for how it will fund the conversion project. Read the article………………………..
HOA Homefront — Year-end planning: Is your HOA issuing both annual disclosure packets (CA)
One of the many improvements made by the Legislature in 2012 to the Davis-Stirling Act was to group a variety of required disclosures into two very important disclosure packets — the Annual Budget Report of Civil Code Section 5300 and the Annual Policy Statement of Civil Code Section 5310. These important disclosures are still often […]
Privately-owned pond at Willow Springs Ranch to get 4 acre-feet of water (CA)
A privately-owned, man-made pond at Willow Springs Ranch that some residents of the subdivision community recently worried could dry up will soon receive 4 acre-feet of water, a short-term solution that should sustain the pond and its ecosystem until the next wet winter season arrives, the president of the Willow Springs Homeowners Association said Monday. […]
Increased Insurance Costs: What Are We Doing About It? (CA)
Over the past year plus we have been doing our best to get the word out about the current and imminent increased costs of insurance and WHY this is happening now. While we will continue to educate folks about what’s going on (with your help), now folks really want to know what we are doing […]
Davis land developer must build tunnel for toads to build senior housing (CA)
A land developer in Davis looking to build a senior housing community is being told he must first build a toad tunnel. Read the article………………………..“They have not been able to articulate the need. They simply say, ‘we want it because we think it’s a good idea,’ said Land Developer David Taormino.
San Francisco OKs Revamped Settling Millennium Tower Fix (CA)
After more than six months of scrutiny, San Francisco’s Department of Building Inspection has issued a revised building permit for the revamped perimeter pile upgrade of the settling 645-ft-tall Millennium Tower, thanks to a determination from the planning department that the revised scheme would not have any negative environmental impacts. The upgrade now consists of […]