If you’re a member of an HOA board, one of the reasons you chose to hire a property manager to help your community association is because you can’t keep up with all of the information you need to know. New and updated laws, reserve studies, annual meetings, trends, and resources are all things you need […]
How HOA Board Members Can Tune in to Meetings Online (CA)
Whether you’re out of town or out of commission, you can still attend the homeowners association board meetings by tuning in online. This is not to be confused with a meeting via email, this is not allowed. Read the article………
Why It’s Imporant an HOA Board Pays Attention to the Open Meeting Act
A good number of Board members understand that being a leader within their homeowners association can be a very rewarding yet sometimes thankless job. If they have been on the Board for any length of time, they also know that change is inevitable. Read the article………..
Hung Out to Dry (CA)
Section 4750.10 has been added to the Civil Code in order to allow residents to use clotheslines and drying racks, under certain conditions, without fear of disciplinary action by a homeowners association. The new law defines “clothesline” to include “a cord, rope, or wire from which laundered items may be hung to dry or air.” […]
All Homeowners Associations Have These 3 Things in Common
If you’re part of a homeowners association, you’ll find the following commonalities to be true just about anywhere you live in the country. It’s important to understand these ahead of time before becoming a resident in an association. While some people might find them controlling, they actually give members the opportunity to have a voice […]
Not-So-Obvious Ways an HOA Management Company Can Help Your Board
An HOA management company can help homeowners association boards in many ways and work with nearly every budget. Two of the most obvious are assisting with financials and collecting delinquent HOA fees. There are also some ways your board members may not have thought of. Read the article…………
Easier-To-Understand Mortgage Disclosures Benefit Consumers and Community Associations
It is often difficult to decipher all of the information and terms on a mortgage loan disclosure. Yet with a signature, they bind us far into our futures. On October 3, 2015, those disclosure requirements changed for the better. They have been simplified so that mortgage terms will be easier to understand for consumers. Likewise, […]
How to Approach Homeowners Who Break the Rules
Rules and guidelines are developed by homeowners associations and monitored by the community association management team to ensure that properties within the community are safe, well-maintained, and retain the highest possible value. Community management services like regular inspections play a crucial role in ensuring that residents follow the rules. But how can an HOA maintain […]
HOA’s Rules Upheld Once Again
California appellate court recently upheld community rules passed by a HOA in San Louis Obispo County about short-term rentals against challenge of owners Read the article…………….
Homeowner Association: $147,595 Fee Award To Plaintiffs Voiding HOA Director Election Upheld On Appeal
Homeowner and HOA disputes are generally contentious and vigorous in nature; the problem is that the winner oft times “gets the spoils,” meaning a large fee recovery even for a victory that is maybe not that major. Read the article…………..
How to Choose the Best HOA Management Company [Infographic]
Being a volunteer board member is a big responsibility. There are decisions to be made, meetings to attend, budgets to build, and concerns to address. If your HOA board is at a place where members are feeling overwhelmed and overcommitted, then it’s time to bring in some help. Asking for resident volunteers to help in […]
The Ultimate SoCal Disaster Safety Guide
In Time’s top 12 most dangerous counties in America, five were counties in Southern California: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and Los Angeles. So it’s clearly no secret that the SoCal region sees its fair share of numerous kinds of natural disasters, the most dangerous of which are flooding, wildfires, earthquakes and landslides. Read […]
Reminder from the HOA Board: Check the Rules Before Hosting Parties
During the holiday season many homeowners association members plan festivities with friends and loved ones. With all of the merriment that’s sure to ensue, it’s important that the HOA board reminds residents who are hosting celebrations to not only be considerate of their neighbors, but also take note of the Association’s rules. Read the […]
What Makes a Great HOA Board Member?
Sitting on the board of your homeowners association is a rewarding way to get involved in your community, get to know your neighbors, and personally ensure that your property values are preserved and protected–for the immediate future and in the long run. Many residents want to serve on their HOA board but aren’t sure where […]
3 Basic Association Accounting Concepts HOA Board Members Should Know
Making and sticking to a budget is not a hard concept for someone to understand. You bring in X amount of dollars each month and you have X amount of bills to pay. The amount of your income is spread out to cover your monthly expenses. Theoretically your income determines the expenses you can afford, […]
New HUD Mortagage Letter Impact
On November 13, 2015, HUD released a new Mortgagee Letter (ML) in response to pressure from industry professionals and trade groups. The new ML has revised the current FHA Recertification process, redefined owner-occupants, and clarified insurance requirements. For the purpose of this article I will go through the changes and how they will impact Condominium […]
Holiday Decorations, HOAs, and Happy Homeowners
It’s the time of year when holiday decorations are hung and a festive spirit fills the air in communities across Southern California. Just because your community is governed by a homeowners association doesn’t mean that you can’t transform your house into a winter wonderland. Use these helpful tips for residents and HOA boards to brighten […]
Enhancing the Homeowners Association is More Than Maintenance
To enhance something means “to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness.” In a homeowners association the property can be physically enhanced or maintained, but enhancing can also refer to building community among the HOA board and members of the Association. Read the article………….
Top 3 Communication Challenges an HOA Board Faces Without a Manager
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, how well do HOA board members in your homeowners association communicate with members? Take a moment to think about that, or even discuss it with your fellow board members. Read the article…………
Is Legionnaires’ Disease Lurking in Your Vertical Community?
If you have cooling towers at your community you might want make sure they are disease free. The Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by “legionella” bacteria, named for a 1976 outbreak following an American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Read the article……………
SB 800: Down but Not Out! (CA)
Until recently SB 800 was down for the count. Many in the building industry thought the law was going to be killed by the Liberty Mutual decision two years ago. It was there that the California Court of Appeal (in Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Brookfield Crystal Cove, LLC) determined that California’s Right to Repair […]
Selecting the Right Vendor-Partner for Your Community
Vendor relationships are about partnership, built on trust that deepens over time. Choose the right vendor-partner and you’ll receive quality work at a reasonable price; make the wrong choice and you might end up with a very expensive legal headache. Your residential or commercial property management company can help you navigate the detailed and time-consuming […]
Are Short Term Rentals for You?
Short term rentals are becoming big business, and California and the Bay Area are no exception. Companies such as Airbnb and VRBO have grown to become massive entities and have drawn a great deal of attention. So much so that San Francisco recently had a proposal on the ballot to limit the number of days […]
Did 19 Law Professors Get The Business Judgment Rule Wrong?
A rare example, in which the court held the business judgment rule was a valid defense to an attack on a corporate contribution to a political action committee, is Finley v. Superior Court, 96 Cal. Rptr. 2d 128 (Cal. Ct. App. 2000). Read the article……….
Important Tax Deadlines Your HOA Board Should Put on the Calendar
Your homeowners association has tax reporting and filing requirements it must adhere to. It can be difficult for an HOA board to understand what these are all on its own. It’s important that your HOA board contacts your Association’s accounting professional for details but below is a brief summary of California HOA tax return deadlines. […]
Tips for Addressing Open Comments at HOA Board Meetings
It’s required by law that time be set aside at each HOA board meeting for members to address the Board. This time for open comments allows members to have a voice about issues in the Association; however it’s important to understand what can and cannot be done during this time. Read the article………….
The Importance of Committees in a Homeowners Association
Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” In order to effectively run a homeowners association, an HOA board, even if it has a manager, can’t do everything. It needs the help of members getting involved and forming committees. While the Board is ultimately responsible for the decisions […]
California Appellate Court Affirms Association’s Right to Impose Restrictions on Hardwood Flooring
One of the consistent issues plaguing condominium associations is that of unapproved hardwood floors. Often installed in an attempt not only to improve or beautify the unit, but also help alleviate dust allergies. However, when installed over a lower floor unit, they can lead to conflict about increased noise. In the case of Ryland Mews […]
Leading the Charge on the California Drought
The current drought endured by the state of California is not its first rodeo. Between 1987 and 1992 the second driest period in California history ravaged much of our country not the least of which, in the southwest. Fast forward nearly 20 years and front and center in the hearts and minds of many Californians […]
After Your Inaugural Ball: No Gridlock or Filibusters Allowed in the HOA Boardroom
Just imagine how attentive politicians would be to “the people’s business” if they faced personal liability to the voters for financial losses resulting from “doing nothing” or “going too far”? In America, once someone wins an election to public office, the only thing they really have to worry about is getting re-elected. For those selected […]
California Regulations Mandate Stricter Maintenance Requirements for Community Association Pools
Community pools provide welcome relief from summer heat. They also impose certain obligations on operators of those pools, including community associations. Recent regulations adopted by the California Department of Health define “public pools” to include pools maintained by community associations. The most dramatic changes are set forth in Title 22 of the California Code of […]
HOA tricks, lies, and deceives … and residents still don’t care – Maybe paying the board is a good idea
In early June, homeowners at Greystone at Eastlake Vistas, a 269-unit condominium complex, found themselves caught up in a circus of tricks, lies, accusations, and betrayals that seemed more fitting to an episode of The Bachelor than the inner workings of a homeowners’ association. Read the article…………..
7 Signs of Stellar Communication and Follow-through
Communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, especially when it comes to something as important as managing the value of your home. Your HOA board members are responsible for making important decisions that protect and preserve the value of the community. Your management company is tasked with providing sound business advice to the HOA […]
4 Types of Meetings in a Homeowners Association: Defined
What’s the difference between a homeowners association board meeting and an annual meeting, or an executive session and an emergency meeting? Confused? Here’s some clarification. Read the article…………..
Rules and Expectations of Managers and HOA Boards of Directors
If you have never owned a home that has a governing homeowners association (HOA), it can be difficult to sort out who does what. This article will explain the rules and expectations for each group to give you a clearer understanding of the relationship between residents, HOAs and management companies. Read the article………….
What to Know About Using Private Drones in Your Homeowners Association (CA)
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a drone! Camera-mounted private drones are becoming increasing popular. However, the technology and problems that come with them are still new, and enforcing this violation in your homeowners association will bring unique challenges, as well as the ability to locate the operator. Read the article……………
5 Tips for Better HOA Board Meetings
HOA board members have a tremendous amount of power and with that power comes responsibility to exercise it correctly. A big part of this is how you and your fellow board members conduct yourselves when it comes to planning and conducting association meetings. Read the article…………….
Tips from an HOA Board: Protect Your Home Against Drainage Failure
The kids are back in school, the air is cooler, the leaves are falling – fall must be here. But, before you can enjoy those pumpkin spice lattes, you need to make sure that you’re prepared for the wetter months ahead. Is your homeowners association ready? Read the article…………….
Programs HOAs Can Adopt to Deal with Drought
Although summer is technically over, temperatures across Southern California remain high, making it feel more like summer than fall. As residents continue to battle the statewide drought, we wanted to follow up on our article covering the impact the drought has on homeowners associations. Read the article………………
Is Your Vertical Community Ready for El Nino? (CA)
We have a high probability of a powerful El Nino returning this fall with extreme rain, wind and flooding conditions. Whether this will be a destructive El Nino or not, is not the question. What is important is that mid/high-rise community managers prepare your building(s) proactively for emergency storm conditions. Problems and issues can increase […]
Keep the Home Fires Safely Burning in Your Homeowners Association
Do the homes in your homeowners association have fireplaces? One of winter’s great pleasures is relaxing in front of a warm, cozy fire. For most months of the year the fireplace stands idle, and these long periods of disuse can lead to hazardous conditions when members light their first fire of the season. Read the […]
Why Your HOA Board Should Start Preparing the Next Annual Budget Now
When it comes to the annual budget for your homeowners association, it can feel cumbersome to understand and plan. It can also seem like an overwhelming task because you just don’t have a lot of accounting knowledge.
Tips from an HOA Board: Are You Unknowingly a Noisy Neighbor?
Does your HOA board deal with noise disturbance complaints from members? Noise is an inevitable reality in a condominium homeowners association. Condominium dwellers live in such close proximity, it’s essential that all residents consider the effect that noise will have on their neighbors – especially when it comes to long-term considerations, such as deciding on […]
Reclaimed Water Restrictions
Did you know using reclaimed water for irrigation comes with some restrictions. Reclaimed or recycled water is former wastewater (sewage) that is treated to remove solids and impurities. It has been widely used as a tool to keep landscaping irrigated in drought ridden states. However, due to the intense process involved in removing impurities, human […]
California Court Considers Reimbursement of Legal Fees Under D&O Policy
In its recent decision in Clark v. Travelers Cas. Ins. Co. of America, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 114877 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 28, 2015), the United States District Court for the Central District of California had occasion to consider when an insurer’s duty to reimburse defense costs under a D&O policy is triggered. Read the […]
Outside Safety Tips for Kids at Play in Your Homeowners Association
Even though school is in full swing, the warm weather and longer daylight hours will still be with us for a while. For many of the youngest residents that means they have the freedom to play outside to their heart’s content (or at least until mom or dad call them back inside). While homeowners associations […]
3 Reasons a Manager is Seen as the Bad Guy in a Homeowners Association
Sometimes an HOA manager gets the short end of the stick, but it’s part of the job and a small price to pay to help an HOA board effectively manage its homeowners association. The manager is usually seen in one of three ways, but there are steps board members can take to help the community […]
Ways Your Homeowners Association Can Help Conserve Water (CA)
Do you keep your water running when doing the dishes? Do you wash half loads of laundry? Do you enjoy extra-long, hot showers to start your day? In the midst of the California drought, residents are learning to cultivate new habits to conserve water as a result of the Governor’s statewide declaration requiring Californians to […]