Some California community associations charge transfer fees. The Federal Housing Finance Agency was proposing a ban on such fees, and they have now backed off this proposal. Community Associations Institute (CAI) was very much involved in addressing the proposed ban. Now the Federal Housing Finance Agency says they will exempt…
HOA Law Blog
Is Annual Certification at Age-Restricted Communities Really Necessary?
By Sandra L. Gottlieb, Esq. Our 55 and older age-restricted communities sometimes ask whether they are required to survey and certify that they comply with the 55 and older qualification standards (if you live in or are on the board of an age-restricted community, you likely know what this means),…
Unlicensed Contractors Caught In Sting Operation
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recently issued a news release regarding their recent sting operation, which caught several unlicensed contractors attempting to perform work for more than $500. Unlicensed contractors tend to prey on senior communities such as the Sun City retirement community, which assisted with the sting…
New Mechanic’s Lien Procedures in California Effective January 1, 2011
By David C. Swedelson, SwedelsonGottlieb Effective January 1, 2011, California law imposes new requirements and notice procedures for contractors who are serving and recording mechanic’s liens. California Civil Code § 3084(a)(6)-(7) now mandates that a valid mechanic’s lien must contain the following information in addition to what the law currently…
Squatters At Home in HOA Complain, “We’re Prisoners In Our Own Home!”
Here at SwedelsonGottlieb, we’ve dealt with or heard a lot of interesting situations. Sometimes, we think we must have seen just about everything there is to see. But a recent article about squatters at an a home in a Newport Beach HOA made us laugh out loud. The squatters had…
Make it a Great Year by Amending or Restating Your Association’s Governing Documents
You know you’ve been meaning to get around to it for a long time now. Your manager has probably been nudging the board as well, hoping that maybe this year will be the year your association decides to get rid of those outdated CC&R and Bylaw provisions, making everyone’s job…
Professional Behavior Affects Everyone
The Orange County Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) will be holding a luncheon on January 11, 2011 at the Irvine Mariott, entitled “Professional Behavior Affects Everyone”. CAI encourages you to “come hear the leading professionals in our industry discuss ethical and professional issues relevant to our industry. Our…
CACM Southern and Northern Law Seminars 2011
Mark your calendars, because just around the corner from the holidays is the California Association of Community Managers’ (CACM) Southern California Law Seminar on January 21, 2011, from 8 am to 5 pm at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. CACM’s annual event is tailored to “community management professionals to have…
Act Now to Fix Your Association’s Suspended Corporate Status
By Mark Petrie, Legal Assistant at SwedelsonGottlieb Shakespeare’s Hamlet complains about the “law’s delay” as part of the reason he considers suicide. If he had lived today and tried to revive a California corporation’s suspended status with the Secretary of State, his decision would have been easy. Extended delays are…
Do You Tow Vehicles At Your Association(s)? Are You Complying With the Vehicle Code?
Prepared By David C. Swedelson. We are amazed by the number of board members and managers that do not know that there is a Vehicle Code Section (§22658) that addresses how and when California condominium and planned development community associations can tow vehicles that are not legally parked. Compliance with…