HOA Membership Rights They Only Belong to Owners
They only belong to owners By: Helsing Admin There is a unique aspect to owning a home in a homeowners association – and that is the simple fact that because you are an owner in an association, you are a member of the association. That membership gives you responsibilities, and it gives you rights. Unlike […]
Highlights of New Laws Affecting Common Interest Subdivisions
HIGHLIGHTS OF NEW LAWS AFFECTING COMMON INTEREST SUBDIVISIONS By: Helsing Admin Although the quantity of new laws relating to common interest developments that the California Legislature adopted in 2011 was relatively low, it was nonetheless an eventful year. This Newsletter summarizes the most significant changes that take effect on January 1, 2012 and offers some […]
HOA Regulations: Kids Playing in the Street
By: Helsing Admin Question: Can you write about more simple and realistic topics like small kids playing in the street and sidewalk around homes that have detached garages and cars backing into the street? If only this was a simple issue, but unfortunately it is a very complex one. When and if this is either […]
HOA Governance: It’s a Republic – Not a Democracy
By: Helsing Admin Your HOA – not your country. Actually, that is not correct on two counts. Your country IS a republic, and your HOA is actually a corporation – but the analogy of your association being a republic and not a democracy is a good one. We often see upset homeowners because they somehow […]
Homeowner Association Assessments: Expensive Ways to go “Cheap”
(Expensive Ways to go “Cheap”) By: Helsing Admin Far too many Boards feel it is their duty to reduce homeowner association assessments – they are even proud of it! It certainly is something to be proud of if that reduction was obtained by purchasing more value for less money. Far too often, however, it is […]
HOA Insurance Policy 101
(A Primer for Homeowners) By: Helsing Admin The following article is a user guide for homeowner use in understanding insurance issues involved in living in a common interest development. GENERAL INSURANCE OVERVIEW The Association insures all buildings and common areas under a single package HOA insurance policy. The insurance program of the Association provides: – […]
I am a Victim of a Dishonest HOA
By: Helsing Admin Mr. Helsing, As I read your article the first thing that comes to mind is, “people who have nothing to hide, hide nothing!” As a victim of a dishonest HOA operation, I can assure you it is no fun being on the receiving end of the nightmares that HOAs and condos have […]
HOA Accounting: How to Read Your Financials
By: Helsing Admin Accounting is the process of recording, summarizing, analyzing, and interpreting (money-related) activities to permit individuals and organizations to make informed judgments and decisions. By law, a homeowners association must keep HOA accounting records. This article is designed to assist Community Association Managers, Boards of Directors, and homeowners in reading and understanding the […]
How the Board Lost Millions of Dollars…
…And maybe all their personal net worth By: Roy Helsing This is a true story. The details have been slightly altered to avoid revealing the identity of the association, board members, or the managing agent – but a true and chilling story nevertheless. I do quite a bit of expert witness work, and much of […]
