Where to find an attorney to sue HOA in Los Angeles, CA

Hi,

It seems that I've exhausted all means to deal with HOA and was wondering where can I find an attorney specialising in California HOA laws to deal with my HOA. I will prefer attorney to be local to Los Angeles (preferably valley) if possible. I understand that suing HOA is same as suing myself and other owners, but I see no other way of getting my concerns resolved. They've been ignoring all my requests and violating many CC&R sections and by-laws.

Thanks

Jeff,

Thank you for your reply.

I think I did. HOA is not releasing records to me (asked them in writing several times), I've been told that they are actually not even keeping records. They don't hold meetings. I've been having fluding issues for over a year now and last time I spoke with president on the phone he specifically told me that they are not going to do anything at all for me. So I am not sure what else can I do.

In regards to attorney, I will prefer to find someone who will get paid if they win the case. I just have a very negative experience with attorneys that ask for huge fees upfront - usually they then won't fight for you, because they already got paid, but maybe it is different in HOA world.

In regards to 3rd party mediator, I am not sure how that works? And how is it different from me talking to HOA?

Thank you for your assistance.

Jeff,

How do I sent a private email here? There is no Email listed and no option to send one.

We had to have an annual meeting back in October, but board didn't organise it, so it never happened. We will try to recall the board, but from what I understand it will take another 2 month to get new elections.

I would love to get in touch with you and hopefully you can help or direct me, so we can finally get this thing moving in a right direction..

Thanks!

Hayk, two month to get new elections is a small price to pay. How long do you think it will take you if you go through a court route. If you go all the way you'll be lucky if you get anywhere within a year. Just saying .....

Brad,

Thank you for your response. Well, I've been having flooding in my basement and under my living room every time there is rain and my porch is not being fixed for over a year now. But nothing is permanent everything can be fixed. But I agree with you and others here, so we already started petition process. I got 5% signed and mailed petition yesterday and will serve one to board member today. Then it is a lot of reading to make sure we hold evertyhing properly and get new board elected. They didn't keep books, so we will have to do a lot of work to get everything in order and hopefully there will be some ways to hold them accountable.

Thanks!

Hi,

Unfortunetely I wouldn't know, because board is secretive and not telling anyone anything. I know we have fire and earthquake insurance. And even if we had that insurance it wouldn't cover it, because board has violated at least 4 sections of CC&R and 3 articles of by-laws that I am aware of.

Thanks

Hi Melissa,

It is hard for me to tell what exactly causes the flooding, but it seems that drainage that goes under and arround the porch is not working well or maybe the water isolation wasn't done properly, so water is pouring into basement that is under. Then there is another issue with porch being cracked in the middle and having decline towards living room sliding door and not outwards, which in case of heavy rain causes water to collect under that sliding door and at some level start pouring under living room's floor. In regards what HOA should cover it is hard to say. CC&R is not clearly defining porch itself, but I don't think that has anything to do with drainage under it or whaterprofing? More, 6-7 years ago there was a special assestment made to fix porches (all units not only mine) and do waterproofing, but it seems that many units weren't done right and in my case basement sinked and might still be sinking - I guess there is no enough support under it, or maybe land was washed away who knows. So it is my understanding that because this assestment was done and HOA went ahead to fix it it becomes HOA's resposibility, is that so?

Interesting idea about flood insurance, but can I get one after the fact? If you are aware of any other option I will really appreciate your advise.

Regardless of anything with few other homeowners we decided to petion the board and get new elections, because they made too many violations and have been running HOA like dictatorship. But we still will need to find a solution to these problems, because it causes our home values to drop.

Thanks!

I've been living an HOA nightmare where the president says, "F___ the CC&Rs". It's a runaway HOA! I have been harassed by them, and they are destroying my property. They have libeled me and have defamed me. They continually violate CC&Rs, by-laws and Davis-Stirling Act. The treasurer is so incompetent that she didn't want to do dues increases and instead wants to just do assessments every year if she runs out of money. I have lived there for over 27 years and can't believe there's no help for a homeowner. I wish there was a way to get a group together to insist that there be some kind of agency to protect innocent homeowners. Does anyone have any suggestions? If so, please email me at [email protected]

Denise,

Although I think it would be better if you started a new thread, I can almost feel the frustration in your posting.

In your situation, government involvement likely isn't the answer. Community involvement is likely the better and quickest answer.

What I mean by community involvement is gathering support and recalling or simply not reelecting the individuals to serve on the Board. Instead, replace those individuals with yourself and others who are willing to follow the CC&Rs, bylaws and State Statutes.

If you do want a government agency, that agency would be the court system. This is because your governing documents are considered a contract and the State laws are considered civil laws. Violations of the terms of a contract and civil laws are typically worked out between the parties involved. When the parties can't agree to a solution, then one party or the other brings the issue before the courts for a ruling.

As I said, community involvement is likely the better and quickest answer.

Jon,

Are you referring to Denise as the OP, who reactivated a 2+ year old thread, or Hayk?

Tim

For both but Hayk's problems are by now hopefully resolved.

For Denise who lives in one of the most regulated states hoping someone else will provide the answer or do the necessary work is wishful thinking.

In almost every case when you have an ineffective or poorly operating HOA the owners are allowing it.