Articles

HOA Presidents Are Not The “Boss.” The Board Is. Sep 07, 2026

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

When the HOA president’s role is misunderstood, the result can be very serious board dysfunction, as well as stress a...

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Presidential Resume For HOAs Aug 31, 2026

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

The office of HOA president is important, but sometimes misunderstood. In most associations, presidents are selected ...

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Who Is Running, and Can We Require Director Training; Update On FinCen and HOAs Aug 23, 2026

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

Dear Kelly: I'm running for the board. Candidates to appear on the ballot had to apply by a stated deadline. I asked t...

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Offsite Owners Aren’t Voting; Can Non-Owners Be Directors? Aug 14, 2026

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

Dear Kelly: If our offsite owners use a management company to run their units and use the management company as their ...

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Must We Have a Nominating Committee? Aug 09, 2026

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

Hello Kelly: My HOA bylaws include a section that specifies that the board is required to form a "Nomination Committee...

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Who Handles Termites? Aug 02, 2026

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

Dear Kelly: I moved into my townhouse four years ago with the dry rot and termite situation apparent. I received a le...

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Our Reserve Account Is Being Misused Jul 25, 2026

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

Mr. Richardson: Can our HOA board unilaterally write off borrowing from the reserve account as a bad debt? After the ...

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Is Our Reserve Account Short? Jul 17, 2026

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

Dear Kelly: Our reserves are very very low - can the city or state take over our association? B.P., Huntington Beach

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Is THAT OK in Closed Session? Jul 10, 2026

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

Kelly: I've enjoyed and appreciated your articles in the paper. Wish more board members would read them and take your...

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Consider Establishing Meeting Rules Jul 06, 2026

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

[Last of a 4-part series]

Along with the property’s overall condition, effective, positive, and orderly board meeting...

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Tips Toward Reasonable Rules Jun 29, 2026

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

Adopting and enforcing community rules is an important board responsibility.  Developers provide CC&Rs and bylaws (usu...

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HOA Rules Must Cover Five Required Topics - Does Yours? Jun 21, 2026

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

Operating rules are often called “house rules” or “rules and regulations,” and must be written pursuant to Civil Code ...

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