By David Swedelson, Esq. Senior Partner, SwedelsonGottlieb, Community Association Attorneys Considering how contentious the campaigns for president have been for the election of our next president, it is amazing that we have not received more requests from our California community association/HOA clients for advice on how to deal with political…
From the Community Association Attorneys at SwedelsonGottlieb California law now limits a community association’s ability to restrict the use of clotheslines and drying racks. Effective January 1, 2017, Civil Code 4750.10 invalidates any provision of a governing document that effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts an owner’s ability to use a…
From the Community Association Attorneys at SwedelsonGottlieb The minimum wage is going up. As a result of a change in the law to take effect on January 1, 2017, the statewide minimum wage will gradually increase over the next six years until it hits $15 per hour. Further, Los Angeles…
By the Community Association Attorneys at SwedelsonGottlieb. Starting January 1, 2017, every California community association will be required to ask its members to provide their contact information and property status. New Civil Code § 4041 will require, starting January 1, 2017, that each association must solicit the following information from…
From the Community Association Attorneys at SwedelsonGottlieb An update to the Fair Housing Act, effective October 14, 2016, clarifies an association’s responsibility to address discriminatory conduct and harassment by its residents. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing and housing-related services due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,…
By David Swedelson, Senior Partner at Swedelson & Gottlieb, California Community Association Attorneys We are often asked how much insurance a condo or coop association should carry. I often respond by saying as much as the association can afford. Here is a great example of a situation involving one of…
By David Swedelson, Partner at SwedelsonGottlieb, Community Association Attorneys Have you noticed some unusual behavior from some association residents lately? You may have seen them walking outside swiping their smartphones. They may have a newfound interest in going to parks. And when they talk, they use unfamiliar words like Pikachu,…
By David Swedelson, Partner at SwedelsonGottlieb, Community Association Attorneys Although the Zika Virus has not yet been found in California, that does not mean that it will not find it’s way here. Florida community association attorney and blogger Donna DiMaggio Berger addresses a community association’s obligation to protect owners and…
By David Swedelson, Partner at SwedelsonGottlieb, Community Association Attorneys Effective January 1, 2016, California Senate Bill 655 amended provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, specifically Sections 17920 and 17920.3. Although the Health and Safety Code impacts almost all persons and entities in California to some extent, SB 655…
By David Swedelson, Partner at SwedelsonGottlieb, Community Association Attorneys Community Associations Institute (CAI) announced today that on Friday, July 29 President Barack Obama signed H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act. H.R. 3700 is now federal law. CAI reports that H.R. 3700 reforms the process used by the Federal…