Contributing Columnist

Kelly G. Richardson

Kelly G. Richardson CCAL is a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and a Principal of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for community association advice. Send questions to kelly@roattorneys.com.

A number of HOA-related bills are moving through the California Legislature in 2025. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

HOA Homefront: Pending HOA bill would ‘protect’ electric heat pumps

May 2, 2025 at 8:03 a.m.

This week’s column reviews three more bills in Sacramento that would affect California HOAs if passed.

A view of the Capitol Building in Sacramento, California. (Brandon Bourdages/Dreamstime/TNS)

HOA Homefront: Here’s a look at HOA bills in the California Assembly

April 25, 2025 at 8:03 a.m.

Senate Bill 410, by state Sen. Tim Grayson builds on the “balcony inspection law” of Civil Code 5551.

California’s civil code does not require HOAs to publish board candidate statements, but it does say that if it does, equal access to HOA media must be given to all candidates and “the association shall not edit or redact any content from these communications.” (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

HOA Homefront: Can board censor candidate statements?

April 18, 2025 at 8:03 a.m.

California code says candidates get equal access to HOA media and “the association shall not edit or redact any content from these communications.”

Rescue personnel work in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Friday, June 25, 2021, in Surfside. The seaside condominium building partially collapsed on Thursday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

HOA Homefront: How communities can address lending ‘blacklist’

April 11, 2025 at 8:07 a.m.

Insufficient funds in the reserve savings account is a common reason why HOAs fall short of Fannie Mae eligibility.

A homeowners association is allowed to borrow from the reserve fund to meet short-term expenses if they follow the requirements of Civil Code Section 5515,

When can HOAs borrow from reserve funds?

April 4, 2025 at 5:04 a.m.

A homeowners association is allowed to borrow from the reserve fund to meet short-term expenses if it follows the requirements of Civil Code Section 5515.

HOAs that fail to set aside money to offset the ongoing deterioration of major common area elements quietly fall into insolvency. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

HOA Homefront: What to do when reserves run thin

March 28, 2025 at 8:03 a.m.

I don’t think a 100% reserve funding requirement is necessary for California HOAs.

HOA members often have questions about how their board of directors conducts business related to the community. (iStockphoto via Getty Images)

HOA Homefront: Should management contact attorneys?

March 21, 2025 at 8:03 a.m.

Restricting managers from contacting legal counsel often creates inefficiencies.

Buying property in a common interest development or HOA means the property owner automatically becomes a member. There are myriad documents to review before buying. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

HOA Homefront: Before buying into an HOA, read this

March 14, 2025 at 8:01 a.m.

It’s not just paperwork. Look before you leap!

On Sunday, March 2, 2025, the Treasury Department announced it would suspend any enforcement of new rules enacted under President Joe Biden requiring business owners file beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/TNS

HOA Homefront: Corporate Transparency Act enforcement ends for HOAs

March 13, 2025 at 12:25 p.m.

The CTA required HOAs to file beneficial ownership information reports with the FinCEN.

HOAs may need to make exceptions to their parking rules to accommodate disabled resident requests. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

HOA Homefront: Should we have handicapped parking?

February 28, 2025 at 8:01 a.m.

Federal and state housing laws do apply when it comes to making room for the handicapped.

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