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 […]
Tag: HOA rights California
The Top 10 Battles Homeowners Are Fighting in 2025
It used to be simple. You paid your HOA dues, trusted your board, and believed your fees went toward maintaining your community. But in 2025, homeowners across the country are realizing it isn’t that simple anymore. Surprise special assessments, hidden fees, and arbitrary rules have left many feeling frustrated, powerless, and unsure where to turn. […]
BBQs on Balconies: The Hidden Firestorm Inside HOA Rules
It always starts with something simple. A sunny Saturday.A new propane grill.And that first sizzle of steak on the balcony. For Mel, it was supposed to be a quiet afternoon… until a violation notice appeared on her door: Unauthorized use of an open flame appliance on balcony: $250 fine. She was stunned. Wasn’t this her […]
HOA Landscaping Fees and Special Assessments: Are You Overpaying?
It started with a notice in the mailbox: “Landscaping Improvement Assessment: $1,850 due within 30 days.” That’s how it happens for most homeowners. You move into an HOA community expecting tidy lawns, green belts, and a sense of order. Then one day, you’re asked to pay hundreds or even thousands more for something you thought […]
The Day Your HOA Parking Citation Changed Everything
It Started with a Bright Orange Slip The first thing Chelsie noticed wasn’t the orange slip. It was the glare. The afternoon sun bounced off her windshield, and for a moment, she thought it was just another flyer or delivery notice. As she got closer, her heart sank. “NOTICE OF VIOLATION.” Her HOA’s logo sat […]
HOA Insurance Hikes: How to Stop the Costs From Falling on You
When Your HOA Insurance Premiums Skyrocket and You’re Asked to Pay Homeowners across California are opening HOA notices with shock, insurance premiums doubling or tripling, followed by a special assessment or dues increase to cover it. What many don’t realize: not all of these charges are justified, and boards sometimes pass costs onto homeowners prematurely, […]
HOA Special Assessments: What Homeowners Need to Know Before Paying
Understanding HOA Special Assessments Before You Write a Check When your homeowners’ association (HOA) sends notice of a special assessment, it can feel alarming. Whether it’s for roof repairs, new landscaping, or electrical upgrades, few things frustrate homeowners more than surprise fees. Before paying, it’s critical to understand what special assessments are, when they’re legal, […]
Balcony and Deck Repairs: What California Homeowners Need to Know About SB 326 and Out-of-Control HOA Assessments
Across California, thousands of homeowners are being hit with massive special assessments for balcony and deck repairs, sometimes totaling millions across an HOA community. While safety is important, many boards are using new inspection laws as justification for excessive, rushed, or poorly managed repair projects that leave homeowners footing the bill. If you’ve received notice […]
Too Many Feral Cats in Your Community? How to Create a Cat-Friendly, HOA-Compliant Solution That Works for Everyone
When Your Neighborhood Turns Into a Cat Colony It starts with a single stray, then another. Before long, you notice cats slinking through the bushes, sleeping under cars, or meowing near your trash bins at night. What began as an occasional visitor has grown into a colony of feral cats living within your homeowner association […]
Avoid the Trap: 7 Mistakes Homeowners Make That Let HOAs Get Away With Financial Abuse
Homeowners associations (HOAs) were meant to protect property values and maintain community standards. But for many residents, the reality looks very different: ballooning dues, questionable “special assessments,” and boards that operate more like shadow governments than community stewards. Financial abuse inside HOAs is more common than most homeowners realize, and the scariest part is that […]