Category Archives: HOA, Common Interest Dysfunction & Distress

California HOA Legislation: fair elections and management accountability (April 2019)

Posted on by
News Update chalkboard clock

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Homeowner advocate alert: three California HOA bills to be debated in Legislative committees. SB434 and SB754 will be heard for the first time today at the Capitol. A second hearing on both bills, plus SB323 is scheduled for April 30th. If you live in California, now is your chance to let your lawmakers hear from you. SB323 HOA elections This homeowner-friendly bill is sponsored by Center for California Homeowner Association Continue ReadingCalifornia HOA Legislation: fair elections and management accountability (April 2019)→

Local media, neighbors help homeowners in violation of HOA, City codes

Posted on by
News Update chalkboard clock

  By Deborah Goonan,  Independent American Communities More good news this week, and updates on some earlier posts on IAC. The following three updates remind readers that going public about code violations from your City or HOA often leads to solutions.   Condo residents finally have fire safe building, developer replacing fire alarm system (MO) Last month, as reported on three local television stations, condo residents were taking turns on overnight fire watch, while waiting for Continue ReadingLocal media, neighbors help homeowners in violation of HOA, City codes→

Do housing consumers benefit from integrated Condo HOA management?

Posted on by
HOA homes sidewalk

  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   During the past several years, I’ve noticed several changes in the homeowners’ association management industry. In my opinion, some of these changes do not benefit homeowners. First, large management companies continue to buy up smaller management businesses, decreasing competition. That’s been happening for years. But, more notably, the larger HOA management firms keep adding extra services — and revenue streams — to their business models. HOA, condo Continue ReadingDo housing consumers benefit from integrated Condo HOA management?→

Jail time for peeling paint: punitive HOA “values” shape Lancaster’s code enforcement

Posted on by

  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   When did it become a crime to be retired and poor? Or working poor? Or an older American, possibly disabled, who cannot climb a ladder and paint a 3-story house? Across the U.S., I’m appalled to learn that city code enforcers punish homeowners on tight budgets, fining them thousands of dollars, ordering them to court, and throwing them in jail for not keeping their home attractive. Lancaster, Continue ReadingJail time for peeling paint: punitive HOA “values” shape Lancaster’s code enforcement→