HOA Homefront is a syndicated weekly column that educates the public on issues pertaining to California residents living in common interest developments, their boards of directors, and community association managers. HOA Homefront is published in over a dozen Southern California newspapers.
Recent Articles
Reader Questions – Surprised by Assessments – are they Legal?
There is going to be an assessment at my condo and we are being told that we all must pay equally even though a number of us will have no benefit from the work being done. Is there anything we can do?
Reader Questions – Tenants With Criminal Backgrounds, and Are Drying Racks OK?
apparently my HOA made a change in the CC&Rs. The HOA requires that any prospective tenants must be approved by the board, and that no applicant who has a criminal record will be approved.
Reader Questions – Fair Housing Violations? Restrictions on Hard Floors and Outside Play
I recently bought a condo and was in the process of replacing the carpet with laminate flooring because of allergies. The HOA informed me that there is a rule prohibiting hard flooring to be installed in condominiums above another condominium. I asked the management company for the definition of “hard flooring” but have been ignored. Is there a legal definition? Would vinyl flooring or linoleum be considered “hard flooring” or is carpet my only option? This is a health issue.
Discontinue The Troubling and Unnecessary Proxy
Proxies are still used in most HOAs and continue to contribute to confusion and controversy during HOA elections.
Reader Questions – The Reserve Fund – How Much Is Too Much?
Many associations strive (and set the dues) to achieve 100% funded. Do they really need to carry such high balances? Wouldn’t it be enough to carry only sufficient balances to meet the future projected reserve expenses (with a sufficient contingency cushion for uncertainties)?
Reader Questions – Can Non-Residents Run? Why Can’t Spouses of Directors?
Can a non-resident owner be on the board? A board member moved but still stayed on the board while he rented his unit.