A tree in my HOA’s landscaping has pushed up and cracked the concrete steps and walkway leading to my front door.

In California, is HOA responsible for repairing the damage and addressing the tree root, or is it the homeowner’s responsibility?
Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? Thanks!

If there is a water leaks from my unit and it leaks to downstairs neighbor, what am I supposed to do?

- File a claim with my condo insurance for damage to my unit and downstairs neighbor would file claim to their own insurance, correct? The two insurance companies would then work between one another if there is subrogation?. 

- I, as an upstairs unit would not be responsible for damage to downstairs unit unless of negligence, correct? Each unit is responsible to fix there own unit?

Edit: Didn’t realize there wouldn’t be a clear consensus. Half posts say upstairs neighbor is liable and half say everyone is responsible for their own unit if there is an accidental leak. My CC&Rs don’t mention anything unfortunately.

I've been seeing Flock license plate reader cameras pop up in discussions about neighborhood security.

Are more HOAs in your area starting to install them?

Today my husband had an encounter with our neighbor in which our neighbor told us to fix the side of the fence that is shared between us, and that we have to pay 100 percent of it. He said that his gardener offered to fix it and that we need to pay the gardener to fix the fence by November because the gardener is leaving to go home by November (I wish I was kidding or exaggerating, but I'm not, he actually said this). His reasoning for us paying for 100 percent is because the fence is losing attachment from a wood post and the wood post is on our side. That being said the fence is still shared by both of us? We asked for the contact information of the gardener that he wanted us to use and he said he would "drop something off", we have not received anything yet.

I was wondering if yall had any general advice on how to handle the situation. Also I want to protect myself legally speaking and to make sure I am covered in case the situation escalates. We also have an HOA and I am not sure what questions to ask them in this situation, and I am hesitant about involving the HOA at all.

For details regarding fences, the rules are as follows:

Except for Association MaIntenance Fencing. side and rear yard fences that are instated by Declarant or the builder of the DwellIng 10 separate adjacent Lots as a common boundary fence (the Common Fence") shall be maintained Jointly by the Owners whose Lot adjoins such Common Fence and the costs associated therefore shall be shared equally by said Owners. An Owner is not released from the Joint maintenance obligatlon even if an Owner constructs a second fence along or near the Common Fence. unless the other owner agrees in writing otherwise and the ACA"s prior written approval is obtained. If the Owners disagree regarding the timing, cost, or other applIcable Issue related to the repair or replacement of a Common Fence or portion thereof, then either Owner may (I) make the repair or replacement (provided any applicable ACA approval Is obtained) and seek collection of one--half (112) of the cost of repair or replacement at Arbitration subject to the repair or replacement being made. The term "ArbItration" shall mean binding arbitration pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitation Association or such other person or entity approved by the applicable Owners.

Our board just informed us that since nobody volunteered to become a treasurer they are exempting themselves from paying common charges/assessments:

“Given the significant increase in our workload and responsibilities, and after 25 years of dedicating countless hours to managing our building and addressing its many challenges, we believe it would be fair to exempt the two remaining BOM members from maintenance fees and assessments. We hope the owners will understand the time, effort, and commitment this work requires. We also sincerely hope that one or more owners will step forward to help manage our condominium and share these responsibilities. “

The maintenance deficit resulting from this is being divided amongst the remaining unit owners in a form of an annual assessment.

What recourse can the unit owners take? As I understand this is completely illegal and violating multiple aspects.

For people who serve on HOA boards or attend meetings: what information in the minutes has actually been useful later? For example, motions and votes, action items and deadlines, attendance and quorum, or decisions about budgets and vendors?

Are there details you think minutes should leave out, especially around executive sessions? Please keep examples general and avoid sharing identifying or confidential information. I’m interested in practical perspectives from different types of communities.

Hello everyone!

I'm once again entering my HOA board\* and I want to bring in new ideas/apps/software to handle the myriad of challenges that a board faces. I'm currently debating what to propose/use. At the moment, I'm focusing on communication (that's a huge underlying problem here), but I am aware that there are other needs that I'm not considering. I hope for your advice.

Thank you very much.

### Communication

Main objective is for inter-board communication, but I also want to be able to scale it to allow communication between neighbors. [ETA:as many have mentioned, this is a Very Bad Idea that should not be touched with a 10 foot pole.] Another objective is to keep a historical record of events so future boards (and neighbors) can see previous decisions.

- WhatsApp (currently in use, not convinced)
- Slack
- Discord (not a fan, but it's still an option)
- Matrix/Element (my personal preference, but I know it's involved, as anything involving federation is)
- https://www.hoahub.app/ - Suggested by [u/Wooden-Pen8606](u/Wooden-Pen8606)
- https://www.hoa-express.com/ - Suggested by [u/Itgeekgal](u/Itgeekgal) and [u/PoppaBear1950](u/PoppaBear1950)
- Wordpress - Suggested by [u/Low_Brick4592](u/Low_Brick4592)
- Microsoft Teams - Suggested by [u/xybrad](u/xybrad)
- https://www.buildinglink.io/ - Suggested by [u/jennwoo22](u/jennwoo22)
- https://easyhoa.com/ - Suggested by [u/Lane1983](u/Lane1983)

### Record keeping (Treasury)

Main objective is that the treasurer has always a general overview of the HoA finances, apart from the CPA. Can serve also as a base to understand the CPA reports.

- Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets
- https://www.payhoa.com/ - Suggested by [u/TheDirtyDog41](u/TheDirtyDog41)
- Zoho Books - Suggested by [u/PoppaBear1950](u/PoppaBear1950)

### Minutes

Main objective is to keep and facilitate the meeting records. I'm happy to use Obsidian.md and Voice Memos, but I'm not the secretary.

- Voice Memos (iPhone only, just voice recording)
- Obsidian.md (Text editor)
- Microsoft Word/Google Docs

Hello - Our HOA has to schedule repairs to be as listed on our SB326 report. A few questions:

1) The balconies that passed. Those still had noted defects marked as "Need Maintenance". Do we still need to address these to be compliant?
2) The balconies that failed. We have some non-emergency repairs listed as required.

We have been dragging our feet on getting repairs scheduled because it felt all these companies would rip us off when they're busy with work as these inspections are being done. But it's now time to get it done. Located in Los Angeles. Does anyone here have any suggestions of companies you had a good experience with?

We are in the midst of approving budget but the biggest bump in the road is installing the ButterflyMX system in our condo. Everyone on the board wants it but the question is more with timing and finances.

The major reluctancy to implement it in 2027 is because we already have a near $400k project that will be done (was done through special assessment) with some potential unknowns. This was also our 3rd special assessment in 6 years, so one group wants to delay this system (near $30k) to increase the reserves by the end of 2027.

The major push to implement in 2027 is safety. Although we have security cameras and an intercom system, we have issues with people buzzing in people who they don't know. We also have had tailgaters who then roam the halls to solicite. We also have an entry way with two sets of doors. The first is always unlocked which allows people to go in the alcove and then use the intercom system in the alcove to get passed the lock door. In rare occasions, a homeless person would sleep in there.

Everyone on the board wants the butterfly system but some want to delay to get finances more in order and others want to pull the trigger now.

The ones who want to pull the trigger now keep threatening that we could get sued or go to prison if something happens and we knew these issues were issues. Is that true? What would you do?

Hi there, first time poster to this sub. We bought our first house at the end of July. We have never had any correspondence from the HOA board/president. The only contact method available is an email that we have tried reaching out to multiple times with no replies. This is a townhouse community that was built in 1989 and my neighbor has been living here since 1990. I guess as of 4 years ago the HOA had just been absent, the only thing getting done around here is landscaping and the landscapers don’t even have a license # or company logo on their trucks.

There is a yearly HOA meeting and in the CC&R’s it says notice is to be given one month in advance via mail. We found out last Tuesday from a flyer taped on the mail box. There are people that rent here that are constantly dumping furniture around the dumpster, it’s gotten to the point where it looks like a dump because the garbage service will not pick up extra furniture. Our back fence is leaning and it’s supposed to be covered by the HOA, my neighbors deck is falling apart which is also supposed to be covered by the HOA (& his deck was mentioned in last years HOA meeting) but nothing is being done even a year later.

I just found out the current HoA president doesn’t even live at the complex anymore. I was never given bylaws or any further documents after receiving just the CC&R’s in our house title paperwork. Going into this meeting Tuesday I want to see what I can do to trigger a re-election but I also don’t want to come in hot headed and seem like a jerk.
Does anyone have any advice on this? Anyone know how I can better prepare myself for the meeting on the 20th?
Thanks in advance, I’m posting this right before I head to sleep, I work in healthcare weekend doubles so I’ll be busy sorry if my replies aren’t prompt. I will be fully available after the weekend.

Am I likely to get into a bit of trouble? I got the keys a couple weeks ago and have been slowly but surely moving in. After a day with some light rain, we realized we had a leak in the roof. Spent all week trying to get quotes and find the company who can start the soonest. We have some rain coming to SoCal next week and I don’t want this to become a more expensive fix. Can I argue my case if I get fined or something?

Not a super straight forward situation, we have a 9 unit condo. 5 of these have in unit laundry, and the other 4 have access to a laundry room since they don’t have hook ups available in their units. We don’t have quarter machines, but rather have been charging $10 for those 4 units every month. Recently another owner got upset and wanted to be able to use the laundry room despite having in unit laundry and said he would be willing to pay the $10 dollars if that’s what it took. He think it costs way more than $40 dollars to operate each month and thinks it’s unfair. We compromised by stating there would be a price increase. I do think we need to increase the fee, as nothing in today’s world costs $10. As the title says, how much would you charge each unit for laundry? Water is shared for the whole building, so fees include the electricity to run it, the wear and tear on the machines, and the space used to operate the machines. There are 2 washers and 2 dryers.

Needing advice here. I have been on our board for a few years and we have an owner who is hostile at times and tries to scare tactic us to getting their way, which never works as we are always in compliance with things. We are having a project done and they keep saying some of the things we are doing are illegal in our state but yet we have a lawyer that specializes in condo law and all the things associated with it telling us that what we are doing isn't illegal per our state. This owner will throw out rules and regulations in emails and then we have been always able to respond back with why what they are saying does not apply. We made damn sure that we were doing things the correct way and the legal way. Sometimes they respond in nasty manners and its getting stressful for me at times.

How does your board handle this and if you are on the board how do you handle it?

To add we are run by a management company and have already signed a contract with the new management company as we did not like how RowCal handled our association.

Working on my April 1 ARC submission (we don't have an ARC but a form if you don't want to risk a fine) after reading city's guidelines not to rake yards after board decreed $100 per day fined after 26 years with two days notice if you exceed 25% coverage. Our Declaration doesn't permit rules on lots but the board does otherwise.

If your HOA makes you rake, they hate turtles. Meetal is not allowed but how could they tell?

ARC APPLICATION EXTERIOR MODIFICATION

Proposed improvement: Transparent aluminum enclosure for two humpback whales.

Purpose: Emergency marine mammal conservation and protection from HOA landscaping enforcement.

Materials: Six-inch transparent aluminum, specifications provided by a visiting Scottish engineer.

Contractor: Dr. Nichols, Plexicorp.

Anticipated impact on property values: Negligible, provided the whales remain submerged.

Applicant's response: “Hello, computer?” 🖱️

I joined the board earlier this year and in doing the budget for next year have discovered that we will not have enough coming in to meet expenses even with a 20% increase in dues, let alone put money into reserves. Everything got so much more expensive this year than the previous board anticipated - insurance increased by an enormous amount, all the vendors have gone up, utilities are huge.

Our reserve study this year shows that the reserves are severely underfunded as well.

I normally live very frugally and aside from my mortgage I've never been in debt - I've never had to deal with a financial situation like this before. I feel very out of my depth.

I don't need to hear "should haves" right now. I know now that I went into buying a home very naively and all the personal issues I've had since then are not an excuse for being so disengaged before this year. It really shouldn't be as much of a surprise as it is.

I need some hope that we can turn it around. This situation makes me feel sick and defeated.

A functioning skylight was replaced during an HOA roof project to preserve the roof warranty.

HOA says it is a unit component and charges the owner under §6.13.

§7.02 permits certain unit-component charges, even without defects.

§7.05 refers to Exhibit G, which assigns exterior-window-component responsibility to HOA.

§10.01(m) mentions windows and skylights together.

Other than that nothing in the documents mentioning skylight otherwise, or how it should be classified.

Does the exterior-window provision potentially cover the skylight, or does §7.02 control?

Has anyone considered canceling their cable and streaming services because the HOA meetings alone could win a primetime Emmy? Did you regret doing it? What was your favorite episode of HOA? If I enjoy this show, would you suggest I try the Board?

...sorry...had to cause I've spent 4 hours in meetings this week :(

8/11 Initially submitted request for deck change
9/11 Due to zoning setbacks, deck dimensions needed to change
9/12 Mailed new deck design to HOA
9/21 Faxed photos since photos were never received
9/24 Management company called saying HOA wants additional dimensions for privacy fence but I told them I would skip privacy fence because I didn’t want to have to reset clock
10/6 Permit approved

My current plan is to start deck on 10/21 since bylaws state request is considered approved after 30 days if no approval received after completed application

Question: My contractor wants me to submit the approved plan/permit from the county with the privacy fence to help with their question. My concern is that it may reset the 30 days.
Would you submit the approved permit/plans to HOA or let the clock run out and build deck with privacy fence since the management company never sent formal request for additional information?

NOTE:
-The management company has never sent a formal request for additional information at anytime.
-All submissions are sent via mail or fax.

I do have a paper copy from when I bought my condo in 2014.

But since then I wanted an updated copy of everything in case there have been changes that were made.

I asked my property management and they responded:

"Digital copies governing documents can be obtained for $25 each, payable to us."

$25 for a digital copy sounds unreasonable.

Our neighbors also have similar requirements in their CCRs and just don’t carry it.
What should happen? Amend the CCRs?

Our management company is now telling us we need to have every improvement/repair contract over $3000 reviewed by a lawyer. Is this reasonable? Seems like overkill to me.

Curious how self-managed boards split up the work. Minutes, owner emails, notices, the budget summary, someone always ends up stuck with it. What’s the job nobody wants on your board, and has anyone ever paid for help with it?