Disclaimer: This information is intended for California residents only and should not be considered legal advice. When an HOA controls the purse, but no one checks the receipts Is your HOA spending money like there’s no tomorrow, while raising dues or threatening special assessments? You’re not alone. Across California, homeowners are questioning where the money […]
Guides
Illegal HOA Fines & Violations – What Your HOA Can’t Charge You For
(California Homeowners – Know Your Rights Before You Pay) Homeowners across California are paying fines they do not legally owe, or worse, feel pressured to pay them out of fear, even when their HOA has no authority to issue those penalties in the first place. The problem? Many HOAs rely on intimidation, lack of transparency, […]
Your HOA Is Tracking You – Cameras, Drones, & Surveillance Rules
Are Homeowners in California Losing Their Right to Privacy? Disclaimer: This information is intended for California residents only and should not be considered legal advice. The New Reality: Your HOA Might Be Watching You Across California, homeowners are discovering a concerning trend: HOAs quietly increasing surveillance, cameras at entrances, license plate scanners, security drones, and […]
Short-Term Rental Crackdowns: When “Community Policing” Goes Too Far
HOA Rental Restrictions & Airbnb Rules in California – 2025 Update Disclaimer: This information is intended for California residents only and should not be considered legal advice. A New Battle in California HOAs California homeowners are reporting a growing trend: HOA boards are cracking down on short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, often aggressively, inconsistently, […]
Selective Enforcement in HOAs
Why Do Some Neighbors Get Away With Everything While I Get Written Up? Disclaimer: This blog is for California residents only. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why did I get a violation notice when my neighbor did the same thing with zero consequences?” – you’re not alone. Selective enforcement is one of the most common […]
HOA IRS Revenue Ruling 70-604: What It Means When Homeowners Vote for It or Against It
Every year, your HOA holds its annual meeting, and buried in the agenda is a confusing line item that reads something like this: Vote to apply excess membership income to the following year’s budget or refund it to members: IRS Revenue Ruling 70-604. Most homeowners glance at it, shrug, and move on, but what you […]
Why Most Homeowners Lose Against Their HOA
The Harsh Truth: Most Homeowners Lose to Their HOA If you’ve ever tried to challenge your HOA board and felt defeated before you even began, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of homeowners across the U.S. face unfair fines, assessments, and board decisions that seem impossible to overturn. Why? Because most homeowners enter the fight […]
The Most Common HOA Special Assessments: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
When you buy into a homeowners association (HOA), you expect to pay regular dues that cover community upkeep, amenities, and shared expenses. But for many homeowners, the real shock comes later: the dreaded special assessment. Unlike regular dues, special assessments are extra charges imposed by the board, often running into thousands, or even tens of […]
From Frustration to Victory: Homeowners Who Took Down a $4.2 Million Dollar Special Assessment and Successfully Recalled an Unfair HOA Board
For many homeowners, HOA life begins with a promise: shared amenities, community pride, and well-maintained property values, but too often, that promise turns into frustration, unexpected special assessments, confusing financials, and boards that seem unaccountable to the very people who pay the dues. What happens when an HOA board pushes too far? When they try […]
5 Signs Your HOA Board Is Out of Control
Homeowner frustration with HOA boards is at an all-time high. Boards are meant to protect property values and ensure smooth operations, but some act in ways that are controlling, opaque, and even financially harmful. If your HOA seems out of control, you need to recognize the warning signs and act decisively. In this article, we’ll […]