Newsletter Article Index

February 2023

• Association Insurance – A Hot-Button Topic
• Letter from the California Insurance Commissioner
• 2023 – California HOAs Face Insurance Pricing Challenges
• The Davis-Stirling Act – A Brief Overview
• Neighbor to Neighbor Conflict Resolution – What is the Board’s Role?

December 2022

• Is Interest Income Taxable to your Association?
• HOA Homefront – Rising HOA Insurance Rates and Reader Advice
• Management – What is the Right Fit for Your Association
• Florida Fraud Case Evolving

September 2022

• When Enough is too Much: Enforcement Against Repeat Offenders
• Certificates of Deposit for your Reserve Funds – An Update
• Possible Legislation – AB1410 – Free Speech – Association Issues
• Secretary of State’s New Website for Filing Statement of Information/Researching your Corporate Status

May 2022

• Are you Allocating your Assessments Among your Units Correctly?
• Returned Checks issued during the Union Bank/Pacific Western Bank Changeover
• Can we Borrow from our Reserve Account?
• Is it Time to Consider Certificates of Deposit for Reserve Funds?
• Possible Legislation – AB1410 – Ethics Course for HOA directors

February 2022

• Affordable Housing Question Update
• Trends in Assessment Changes from 2021 to 2022
• Do These Laws Apply to Small Associations

January 2022

• A 29-Year History of Reserve Funding and Expenditures of an Association
• Local Association secures funding for Major Repairs from Governmental and Outside Sources
• Association Monthly Assessment and Expense Trends 2009-2021
• Tax and Corporate Compliance Updates

January 2021

• Tax Changes for 2020
• Some National Statistics about HOAs
• Are our HOA funds insured?
• Management Company Disclosures Under the Civil Code
• Checklist of Association Records Transfer
• California Business and Professions Code 11018.1
• A 28-Year History of Reserve Funding and Expenses for an Association
• Exempt Organization Revocation by the Franchise Tax Board
• Email and Snail Mail Issues
• Additional Information about the IRS Form 1099-NEC
• "The Six Stages of a Project"

December 2020

• Tax Changes for 2020
• Some National Statistics about HOAs
• Are our HOA funds insured?
• Management Company Disclosures Under the Civil Code
• Checklist of Association Records Transfer

December 2018

• California AB 2912 Signed! Drastic Changes to HOA Financial Review and Insurance Requirements
• AB 2912 – New Law Expands the Financial Review Responsibilities of The Board of Directors
• Secretary of State Statement of Information Filing Update
• Buyer of a Condominium or Townhome in an HOA – Beware!
• A Financial Analytic – Annual Assessment compared to Fair Market Value

September 2018

• Common Issues/Complaints About Boards and Meetings/ Use of Email
• Is it Time to Reconsider Certificates of Deposit for Association Reserve Cash?
• Breaking News – AB 2912 Signed – New Financial Requirements
• 2017 Review of California Court Decisions Affecting Community and Homeowners' Associations
• “Dear Owners”

January 2018

• Turnover of Records from Old to New Board and/or Former to New Management Company
• Quarterly Financial Review Checklist
• Can/Should an Association Publish a Membership Directory of its Owners and Distribute It?
• Resources available on SouthCoastHOA.org
• Assorted Financial “Tidbits” for 2018

October 2017

• The Frightening Erosion of Lamden Protections for Boards in California
• Publications from the California Bureau of Real Estate
• Budget and Financial Considerations for 2018
• Monthly Assessment Trend Update

June 2017

• New Legislation
• A Review of 2016 California Court Decisions Affecting Communities and HOAs
• HOA Financial Statement Analysis – Spring 2017

January 2017

• 1099-Misc Filing Date Change for January 2017 Filings – Now January 31
• E-Filing Requirements for Business Returns by California
• Record Retention

December 2016

• The Top Three Legal Issues Facing California HOA Boards

September 2016

• HOA Requirements on Sale of Home
• HOA Certificates – Swimming in Shark Infested Waters
• Fraud Happens – The Next Chapter
• Budget and Financial Considerations for 2017
Associations in 2014

May 2016

• Eucalyptus Hill Homeowners Association Water Hero Award
• Home Equity Lines of Credit - The Next Foreclosure Wave?
• A Case for a Meeting Protocol - Running a Meeting with Robert’s Rules
• Reserve Funding vs. Future Obligations - An additional Financial Data Analytic
• Review of New Appellate Court Decisions Affecting Homeowner’s Associations in 2015

January 2016

• Tax Reporting and Filing Deadlines
• Berkeley Balcony Collapse
• 2016 Legislation at a Glance
• Why Hire a Registered Consulting Arborist?
• Changes in US Postal Service Delivery Standards

November 2015

• HOA Financial Data Comparisons and Trends Research Project (Part 2)
• When does hiring a handyman become a liability for your Association?
• Fraud Happens – A True Story

May 2015

• HOA Financial Data Comparisons and Trends Research Project (Part 1)
• Review of New Legislation and Appellate Decisions Affecting Homeowners Associations in 2014

February 2015

• CPA Review Report Changing during 2015
• The Importance of Reconciling Bank Accounts Promptly
• Financial Data Analysis – A Continuing Series
• 2014 HOA Legislation Effective in 2015

January 2015

• Elections – Is your Association Prepared
• When the Time Comes to Remove a Director
• Tax and Regulatory Considerations for Small Common Interest Developments

December 2014

• What should be Included in Meeting Minutes
• AB 1738 - Changes in Internal Dispute Resolution Processes

March 2014

• South Coast HOA - A Brief 25 Year History and Summary
• Review of Court Decisions Impacing Community Associations in 2013
• 2014 Law and Legeslative Update Materials

January 2014

• So you have a Listing in a Common Interest Development - Now What?
• Disclosures Summary of Changes under New Civil Code 4528
• Tax and Regulatory Considerations for Small Common Interest Developments

September 2013

• Does the date January 1, 2014, or the Reorganized Davis Stirling Act Frighten You? It shouldn’t.
• Bank Accounts, Certificates of Deposit, are Your Balances and Signature Cards Up to Date?

August 2013

• Restricting Attendance at Board Meetings
• Review of 2012 Court Decisions Impacting Community Associations

May 2013

• Licensed Contractors
• Water, Water Everywhere!

February 2013

• New Legislation for 2013

January 2013

• Meeting Minutes Part 1 - Do You Need Them or Not?
• Consumer Warning - Underfunded Homeowners Association
• Your Day Job is Different Than Your "Night Job"
• Temporary Full FDIC Insurance on Checking Accounts
• Update - Association Filings with the Secretary of State

December 2012

• Up In Flames – New Year’s Arsonist Causes $3M Damage
• HOA Could be Sued in Trayvon Martin Case
• HOA Recovers Attorneys’ Fees after Bankruptcy of Individual Homeowner
• Rules Enforcement Questions

January 2012

• Legislative Change to the Use of Email by Boards of Directors
• New Year’s Resolution – Energy Audits and Solar Systems
• Year-End Financial and Tax Notes
• HOA Financial Data Comparisons and Trends

December 2011

• Bad Debt Allowances in Homeowner Associations
• Interfund Borrowing from Reserves
• Selected Court Cases from 2011

November 2011

• Owners Don’t Like Unpleasant Surprises
• Free Mediations Offered through Santa Barbara County Program
• Santa Barbara City Tree and View Ordinance Protections
  
• Why Most HOAs do not need to be 100% Funded
  
• New California Legislation Effective in 2012

January 2011

• Is Volunteer Labor a Good Thing for your Community Association?
  
• Landscape Rebates Available from some Water Districts
• Tax and Finance Changes for 2011
• Reviewed vs. Audited Financial Statements

Summer-Fall 2010

• Protecting Your Community Association from Fraud
• Tax Filing Changes Ahead for Homeowner Associations
• FDIC Insurance and Bank Failure
• Wildfires – Does your HOA have Adequate Landscape Coverage?

July 2009

• How Not to Waste your Association’s Money
• FDIC Insurance Update & Insured Association Funds
• Revisiting “Good Standing” – Why is it Important
• An Association Calendar

June 2009

• Assessment Collection in an Economic Crisis
• Small Claims Experience
• 2008 Appellate Court Decisions

January 2009

• South Coast HOA – 20 Years Later
• HOA Financial Comparison Analysis – 2004-2007
• Tax Reporting and Filing Deadlines

November 2008

• Understanding your Association’s Financial Statements
• The Art of Delivery: Mail, Posting or Personal Delivery
  
• Federal Pool Safety Act Affects HOA Pools/Spas

September 2008

• Annual Disclosures to be sent with your 2009 Budget
• 2008 California HOA Legislation – Passed/Vetoed
• Barbeque Ban
• FDIC Update
• Ravens Cove Townhomes Case (1981)

August 2008

• Avoiding Fraud in your Association
• HOA Internal Control Checklists
• Financial Compliance Checklist
• 2008 Pending California Legislation

June 2008

• Review of 2007 Appellate Court Decisions Concerning HOAs
• Operating Funds and Assessments Receivable – Continuing Analysis
• HOA Board Meeting – Sample Meeting Policy
• “Condo Owners Answer Book” Distributed
• How Well are your Association Funds Insured?

May 2008

• Soaring Gas Rates Will Impact Some HOA Budgets
• SB 528 – Board Agenda Follow Up
• To Foreclose or not to Foreclose
• CPA Management Letters to Associations

November/December 2007

• SB 528 – New California Meeting Agenda Law
• Corporate Filings with the California Secretary of State
• Is your Association’s Corporate Status Suspended?

September/October 2007

• Board Basics – Budget Development Mechanics
• Beyond the Basics – Is your Budget Realistic
• Records Retention
• Tips from the Pool Guy
• Annual Financial Report Requirement

July/August 2007

• Painting for Protection and Appearance
• AB 2100 – How it Changes Reserve Studies and Related Disclosures
• Libel, Slander & Defamation
• Homeowner Association Minutes – Frequently Asked Questions

May/June 2007

• Changes in Vehicle Towing Laws
• Tips from the Pool Guy
• ”Annual Minutes Disclosure Notification”
  
• Managing Unit Owner’s Expectations
• Water Billing Changes

March/April 2007

• Sample Association Records Inspection Policy
• Association Assessments at Risk?
• HOA Financial Comparisons – “Small” Association Data
• 2007 Legislative Preview
• Earthquake Insurance Premiums – Meeting with State Assemblyman

January/February 2007

• HOA One-Year Financial Comparisons Analysis
  
• HOA Ten-Year Financial Comparisons Analysis
• Tax Reporting and Filing Deadlines

September 2006

• The Uncertain Future of Common Interest Developments – Part IV – Final
• 2006 California Legislative Update
• A Little More Help with Elections – Q&A and Sample Proxy

July 2006

• Publications Available from South Coast HOA
• Civil Code Section 1364 – Maintenance Responsibility – Pest Control
• Insurance Coverage Amounts to Help Protect Owners and Volunteer Officers and Directors
• Understanding Bank Reconciliations
• The Uncertain Future of Common Interest Developments – Part III

May 2006

• Investing Association Cash
• Workers Compensation Insurance – A Mandatory Purchase
• The Uncertain Future of Common Interest Developments – Part II
• South Coast HOA Featured in Santa Barbra News-Press

March 2006

• New law Affects Association Records Disclosure/Accounting Procedures
• The Uncertain Future of Common Interest Developments

January 2006

• New California Law Affects Assessment Collection Procedures
• New law changes the way associations conduct elections and voting

December 2005

• Quantifying an Unexpected Repair Project – A Board Member Perspective
• Managing Your Construction Project – Professional Perspective
• Association Financial Comparisons
• Association Forms Packet Available

October 2005

• Borrowing for Major Repairs
• Child Day Care in a Common Interest Development
• Response to News-Press Opinion Piece on Small Condominium Projects
• Summary of Disclosures to be sent with your 2006 Budget

August 2005

• The Mechanics of a Special Assessment
• Roofs and Decks, a Maintenance Perspective
• A Homeowners Association can be a Dangerous Place

June 2005

• Resolving Problems with Absentee Owners
• Lease Limitation Provisions, an update
• ”Board of Minutes & Resolutions – Compliance Division”
• Setting Up an Association Calendar
• HOA Certifications – A Follow-Up
• Pending 2005 California Legislation

May 2005

• Assessment and Reserve Funding Disclosure Summary – “Demystified”
• Megan’s Law and your Association
• Who Can Attend Open Board Meetings

December 2004

• Governor Vetoes Assessment Collection/Foreclosure Bill
• Bills Signed into Law – Effective January 1, 2005
• Be Cautious when Dealing with Pets
• The Sale of a Unit – The Disclosure Maze

September 2004

• Raven’s Cove Townhomes vs. Knuppe Development Co.
• Are Your Association Reserve Funds Working Hard Enough for You?
• Annual Budget Disclosures
• State Agency Proposed for Common Interest Developments
• Pending California Legislation

July 2004

• So, You Don’t Need a Construction Manager?
• Roof Shopping
• Pending California Legislation

May 2004

• Community Association Q & A author to speak – 5/15
• Associations Now Responsible for their Contractor Labor Law Violations
• Reserve Studies – Should Associations Be 100% Funded?
• Some Additional Points – Reserve Funding
• Facing the Challenges of Mold

March 2004

• Controlling the Scourge of Graffiti
• New Rulemaking Procedures for Associations
• Additional New Legislation Effective in 2004
• Annual Financial Report Requirement

January 2004

• South Coast Member Survey Results – Part II
• Tax Filing Deadlines
• CPA Management Letters to Associations

December 2003

• South Coast Member Survey Results – Part I
• Top 10 Tips to Stay out of Legal (or other) Trouble – Part II
• California Legislative Action Committee

October 2003

• CAI Trade Faire and ABCs Board Training
• Median Condo Prices
• Red Flag Words You Cannot Ignore
• Top 10 Tips to Stay out of Legal (or other) Trouble

September 2003

• Board Basics – Budget Development Mechanics
• Beyond the Basics – Is our Budget Realistic?

August 2003

• Board Basics - Annual and Special Membership Meetings
• Common Questions and Answers about Reserve Studies – Part II
• California Legislative Update
• Mandatory Recycling Program for Unincorporated Areas
• OAs Are Especially Vulnerable to Lawsuits Over Mold Conditions

May 2003

• Common Questions and Answers about Reserve Studies – Part I
• Important Changes being made in Pest Control
• Board Basics – What is the Davis-Stirling Act
• Other Educational Opportunities – May/June

March 2003

• SB 800 – New Construction Defect Claim Law
• State Intervention in HOA Disputes
• New CC&R Disclosure Requirement - Airports
• Gas Company Must Shut Off Gas During Fumigation
• Trees “Out of Line”
• New HOA Registration with Secretary of State

January 2003

• Book Review – Questions and Answers about Community Associations
• Thank You Very “Mulch”?
• 2002 Legislative Update
• Is Your Association’s Corporate Status Suspended
• 1099/Independent Contractor Reporting Requirements

December 2002

• New Developments – New HOA Problems
• Does Government Really Understand HOAs?
• South Coast Questionnaire Findings Published
• Coming to Terms with Term Limits
• Why Drip Rather than Overhead Spray Irrigation

October 2002

• New Law Affects Assessment Collection Procedures
• Water Leaks – Start to Finish (Part II) – The Insurance Angle
• Preventing Fraud and Embezzlement

September 2002

• Water Leaks – Start to Finish (Part I)
• Association Record Retention
• A CPA’s “Top 10” Tips to Develop a Sound Operating Budget

July 2002

• Mold – Wanted Dead or Alive (Part 3)
• Reserve Studies Part II – Cash Flow Analysis vs. Straight-Line Depreciation
• Moon Walking – A Short Essay in Communication
• Use Caution When Enforcing Pet Restrictions

May 2002

• How to Extend the Life of your Roof
• Reserve Studies Part I – Myths and Realities of the “Percent Funded” Estimate
• New Legislation - 2002

March 2002

• Mold – “Wanted Dead or Alive” – Part II
• Common Interest Development Insurance
• New Legislation - 2002

February 2002

• Are Your Minutes Adequate?

January 2002

• Mold – “Wanted Dead or Alive” – Part I
• Don’t Be Caught Without your Essential Contractor Provisions
• New Legislation - 2002

November 2001

• Do All Associations Have to Accept Pets – Advice from Sacramento
• E-Mail – Think Before You Press “Send”
• The Media Strikes Again

September 2001

• IRS Allows Online Option for Paying Federal Taxes
• Secretary of State Biennial Filing – Statement of Officers
• 2002 Budget Tips
• Legislative Update - 2001
• More “Gold” from the Newspapers

June 2001

• Electric Rates Increased June 1
• Board Members Rules of Conduct for Meetings
• Understanding A Bank Reconciliation
• California Legislation Introduced – 2001
• Association Mythology – Another Chapter

May 2001

• Rediscovering Community in the CID Environment
• Important Case Law for the Year 2000

March 2001

• A Problem with the Independent Contractor Registry
• Ballot Wars Basics – A Primer for HOA Elections

January 2001

• Selected New Laws for 2001
• Independent Contractor Reporting Tip
• Utility Rate Update – Assessment Options
• Law Revision Commission – Davis-Stirling Act
• Recording Board Meetings – A Good Idea?
• Secretary of State Corporate Statement of Officers
• Small Claims Court – A Solution for a Nuisance Problem?

December 2000

• Insurance Coverage Amounts to Protect Members and Directors
• Non-judicial Foreclosure May Result in Title Problems
• Independent Contractor Reporting

October 2000

• Pet Bill Passes – Effective 1/1/01
• Budget Tips for your 2001 Budget
• Summary of Disclosures to send with your 2001 Budget
• South Coast Invoices and Questionnaire Mailings
• CAI’s ABCs Class – Santa Maria

August 2000

• The Sale of a Unit – The Disclosure Maze
• Common Renter Questions

June 2000

• 2000 Operating Cost Manual for HOAs Released
• Can the President Vote at Board Meetings?
• Legislative Analysis Update - AS 1859 - Le Parc HOA
• Implementing A Special Assessment
• Africanized Bee Notice

May 2000

• Inspection of Records in a Homeowners Association
• 2000 Legislative Update – Introduced Legislation

March 2000

• 2000 Law Update
• Independent Contractor Reporting Update
• Protecting Your Association’s Assets

January 2000

• Paperwork Disaster Looms for Homeowner Associations
• Board of Directors Meetings - Open Meeting Act
• Oh, and What About the Minutes?
• New Disclosure - CC&R Distribution
• Useful Association Websites