Typically, there are four HOA board member roles: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each one of these board of directors positions plays an integral role within the association. There are many HOA board member duties, some of which overlap from member to member. Moreover, certain HOA board member responsibilities can be delegated to other board members or committees. In some cases, a professional third party can come in to manage an association. An HOA management company would then assume much of the management functions of an HOA board of directors. The essential purpose of ..read more

Robert’s Rules of Order were written by Civil War veteran General Henry Robert and first published in 1876. He prepared rules of conduct for meetings to establish an orderly manner for everyone to be heard and make decisions. Robert’s Rules have been widely adopted by private organizations throughout the world and is the procedure of choice for homeowner association meetings. Board & Committee Meetings. Although there is no requirement that board and committee meetings be conducted under Robert’s Rules or any other system of parliamentary procedure, many Boards find it helpful. Boards are ..read more

Homeowners’ association board members often deal with the question: “How much money should an HOA have in reserve?” Similar to businesses or organizations, HOAs use reserve funds as a means to prepare for the future. HOA reserve funds are liquid assets that are used to meet future financial obligations. Reserve funds can come in handy when there are unexpected costs — both big or small. Thus, it’s crucial for every organization to determine how much money is put into their reserve funds. How Do HOA Reserve Funds Differ from Operating Funds? HOA finances are mainly allocated to two financial ac ..read more

On August 30, 2019, the Governor approved Senate Bill No. 326 (“SB 326”), which amends Civil Code Section 5551 and requires associations to conduct an inspection of their exterior elevated elements (i.e., balconies, decks, patios, stairways, walkways, and their railings) and the associated waterproofing systems, to determine if they are in a generally safe condition. The California legislature passed this bill in an attempt to prevent future balcony collapses like the tragedy that occurred in Berkeley in 2015, which left six people dead and another seven injured. Civil Code Section 5551(b) now ..read more

SPRINGTIME IS PEST TIME IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Springtime in Southern California signals new beginnings. Seeds sprout, flowers bloom, new creatures are born, and life begins anew. Along with all of this new life comes some more unwelcome activity as critters find their way into your picnics, sporting events, backyards, and within the walls of your home. Let’s take a look at some of the most common springtime critters to watch for as warmer weather seeps into Southern California. COMMON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPRINGTIME PESTS AND INSECTS Rodents Spiders Bees and Wasps Ants Termites Rodents Roden ..read more

A community association board consists of volunteers elected to serve on behalf of residents to execute a wide variety of tasks. It’s a big job, but most board members are happy to serve and make the community a great place to call home. The board’s biggest responsibilities include enforcing rules, collecting assessments and hiring help. Enforcing rules One of the most important things the board does is enforce the association rules and regulations. Rules and regulations help community associations maintain property values and protect a quality of life. These standards are typically described ..read more

As we embark on 2022, LBPM would like to invite you to a complimentary webinar to review the legal updates that affect homeowners associations.  LBPM in conjunction with attorney Jeff Beaumont will focus on recent changes and highlight the essential need to know updates for a successful 2022.  Topics will include: Election by Acclamation Meetings by Zoom During States of Emergency Homeowners’ Right to Split Lots Rental Restrictions & Short-Term Rentals Modified Board Approval of Payments Key Takeaways from Recent Case Law Please join us virtually on Monday, February 28th at 6:3 ..read more

1)  Our owners are aware of what the master insurance policy covers, and what they’re responsible for individually. Board Members are often surprised how many unit owners fail to purchase individual insurance coverage to supplement the HOA’s protection. In studies conducted on condominium associations, as many as 25% neglect to purchase a Condominium Unit Owner Policy (or HO-6), likely due to a lack of understanding regarding the limitations of the HOA’s insurance. As condominium projects begin to age (or, after a season of busy loss activity), two things often begin to occur… (1) deducti ..read more

A reserve study is a detailed report that assists common interest developments (CID) in planning for long-term common area repair and replacement expenses. A CID exists when there is individual ownership of a house or condominium along with the shared ownership or right of use to common areas. These common areas can include streets, roofs, recreational facilities and many other items.  A reserve study includes two parts: 1) The Physical Analysis contains information about the condition and repair/replacement cost of the components that the CID maintains.  The physical analy ..read more

Of the 74 million people who live in HOAs across the United States,  over 14 million are in California?   What it is to be a Volunteer Board Member Many people love living in associations because they get the full benefits of using amenities such as swimming pools, fitness rooms, tennis courts, and entertainment areas without the responsibility of the upkeep. Homeowner associations can not function, however, without the dedication of the HOA Board of Directors. In order for these communities to thrive, board members must take on certain tasks. The Community Associat ..read more