🏛️ The purpose of the Davis–Stirling Act in ensuring open governance in California homeowners associations (HOAs) is rooted in the principles of transparency, accountability, and owner participation . The law mandates open operations for HOA boards because these boards function like local governments—making rules, levying fees, and enforcing penalties that affect property owners' rights and finances. ⚖️ Key Purposes for Open Governance under the Davis–Stirling Act: 1. Transparency of Board Actions HOAs must hold meetings in a way that homeowners can observe, attend, and participate . Open Meeting Act (Civil Code §4900–4955): Requires that board meetings (with few exceptions) be noticed and held in public. Prevents decisions being made behind closed doors unless legally permitted (e.g., legal issues, personnel matters). 2. Homeowner Access to Information Homeowners have the right to: Receive advance notice of meetings and agendas (Civil Code §4920). Revie...

( CORONA   in sync with   ALTACITIES ) Our common interest development, aka homeowner association (or HOA) has a monthly newsletter.  The November 2015 issue has a helpful chart about how and where our monthly dues are allocated. To be specific, $80.90 of our $273.00 base dues are allocated for administrative expense.  That expense category includes legal services, but the specific legal expenses are not detailed due to confidentiality and attorney-client privileges. Because an HOA is, in fact, a nonprofit community benefit corporation, legal services are necessary and vital, starting with the drafting of bylaws and the covenants, rules, and regulations (CC&Rs). But beyond tending to the creation and modification of these documents, legal counsel is always involved in dispute and conflict resolution within and around the association.  To learn more about the legal affairs of HOAs, read about the Davis-Stirling Law  (DSL) in California. Without...

When one purchases property in a common interest development (or HOA) a whole raft of legal documents accompany the transaction.  Most homeowners only slightly review these documents and little understand the depth and breadth of the content.  Most likely to be overlooked (perhaps even not revealed) is the Internal Revenue System (IRS) standing of the HOA. However, you may wish to know more about that standing after you read the following.  Is not a given that your HOA has tax-exempt status, nor is it guaranteed that any HOA will keep that status. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES © Now with 1,200+ followers on http://socialcurrent see.com [ View the story "HOA Board actions threaten IRS action" on Storify ] "The only way you can truly control how you are seen is being honest all the ... #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) July 15, 2015

Baby boomers today in California are notable for their purchases of retirement homes or second homes South of the Border and even in some South America countries. Smart buys outside the USA require some extra due diligence and inspection of legal pitfalls. As noted in the following clips, errors of judgment or failure to obtain all the details may result in a sudden loss of ownership after a significant investment of life savings. Flip②▶ STORIFY ♥ FLIPBOARD ★ BLOGGER ▲ ALTACITIES ® [ View the story "Beware of Mexican condo heists" on Storify ] "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear o... #dailyqotd #qotd http://t.co/fq1zI7UyVq — Mike Foxworth (@ALTALOMAN) May 21, 2015