Articles

BOARD Amending CC&Rs and Bylaws? Oct 12, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column

Ordinarily, CC&Rs and bylaws can only be amended by a vote of the HOA membership. However, there are some narrow circu...

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11 Tips Regarding Amending HOA CC&Rs - It’s Already Hard Enough Oct 06, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column 

Amending CC&Rs can be difficult. Here are some tips toward enhancing amendment success.

  1. Check with the members. Am
  2. ...
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Are Open Forum Limits OK? Sep 28, 2025

 By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column

Mr. Richardson: Our HOA holds open forum for homeowners at the end of the agenda. You have suggested that it should c...

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Reader Questions Regarding Parking and Disabilities Sep 20, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column

Dear Mr. Richardson: I have a blue disabled person parking tag. What rules govern street parking in HOAs where no sign...

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Myths (and the Truth) Regarding Member Discipline Sep 13, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column

One unpleasant but necessary aspect of board service is disciplinary action against unneighborly behavior by members. ...

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Tips For Boards and Owners Regarding Disciplinary Hearings Sep 07, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., HOA Homefront Column

HOA discipline is a necessary evil. Residents don’t like being told what to do, while at the same time some rules are neces...

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Complying with Disciplinary Hearing Law Changes Sep 01, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., HOA Homefront Column

After the lightning-fast adoption of major amendments to Civil Code Sections 5850 and 5855—proposed and passed in just four...

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Non-Owner Directors, Late HOA Minutes, and Executive Committee Freeze-out Aug 24, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., HOA Homefront Column

Mr. Richardson: Proxy given to a non–owner, who becomes a board member. Does he become proxy for the other owners? L.H., Sa...

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How Should Late Assessment Payments be Applied, and Are Rental Assessments Legal? Aug 17, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., HOA Homefront Column 

Hi Kelly: When homeowners make assessment payments, our management company first applies the payment to prior outstanding ...

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Board Meeting Attendance, Overstepping President, and Robert’s Rules Aug 09, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., CCAL, HOA Homefront Column 

Dear Kelly: Can a person not on title actively participate in board meetings? C.P., Los Angeles

Dear C.P.: Only mem...

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The Importance of How Boards Decide Actions Aug 03, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq., CCAL, HOA Homefront Column 

In the HOA world, corporate formalities can often seem to discourage and frustrate quick decisive action. However, t...

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Who Handles My Termite Problem? Jul 27, 2025

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL, HOA Homefront Column

Dear Kelly: I have a two-story townhome that has termites. I notified the HOA and they were going to send a termite co...

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