In 2024, the California legislature passed an amendment that allowed online elections to be held within HOAs. It recognized that this could open the door to digital vote manipulation within the HOA's management, though, so the state mandated that each HOA election needed to have an independent inspector of elections.
What are unenforceable HOA rules? Keep you out of court. Hush up litigation. Discriminate indiscriminately. Enter your home without cause or notice. String you out on the (clothes)line. Fine you for fun. Change rules on the fly. Demand you take down your dish.
Negligence occurs when an HOA fails to meet its standard of care in managing and maintaining the community, potentially leading to property damage, decreased home values, and safety risks.
What are unenforceable HOA rules? Keep you out of court. Hush up litigation. Discriminate indiscriminately. Enter your home without cause or notice. String you out on the (clothes)line. Fine you for fun. Change rules on the fly. Demand you take down your dish.
Many HOAs maintain a website where governing documents are posted. To find HOA rules and regulations online: Navigate to the HOA's official website. Look for sections labeled “Documents,” “Governing Documents,” or “Rules and Regulations.”
Filing a lawsuit against an HOA is typically done in small claims court. The first step is to determine how much compensation is required. Small claims is bound by a limit for damages, and any cases seeking damages above this amount must either waive the excess or file in regular court instead.
For instance, in California, the Civil Code Section 1367.4 dictates that an HOA may only foreclose on a property if the delinquent assessments reach over $1,800.
Moreover, California law does not permit HOAs to evict homeowners. If the owner of the property is leasing it to a renter, however, the homeowners' association may be allowed to remove the tenant.
An HOA has the authority to enforce the rules and regulations of the community using the community rules, or “bylaws and covenants.” These rules are considered “agreed upon” since homeowners approve them through board-elected representatives.
A home can be foreclosed on for many kinds of debts, not just a mortgage. For example, Home Owner's Association (HOA) can foreclose in some cases for unpaid dues and assessments.