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Started by ColleenB • 2 replies • 1586 views

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ColleenB (California)
Posts: 1

Posted:

Hello,

I live in Sun Valley, California with about 12 units of town homes. The man who claimed to be the President of the HOA on the property, took off somewhere no one seems to know of. I've tried calling the number I have for the HOA and all they seem to do is collect our money. The lady I spoke with informed me that I need to become a part of the Board in order to get anything done. My husband and I have taken it upon ourselves to try cleaning up our place but there is only so much we can do. We believe it is the responsibility of the HOA to maintain a decent place. Can anyone help point me in the right direction if my husband and I would like to become a part of the Board or who should we go to in order for things to get done?

Thank you,
Mrs. Benitez

LuciusD
Posts: 139

Posted:

Colleen,

Hanna Press, 525 University Ave, Suite 705, Palo Alto, CA 94301-1942, pho (650) 321-5700, publishes a book under the title "Homeowners Associations". It is also on the shelves of many public libraries. It is very California-oriented. It's the best reasonably priced, single reference book I know of. I keep a copy on my desk and refer to it constantly.

My strongest recommendation is that you spend some time learning what HOA's are all about before you start trying to "get things done". See what your public library has available.

Next, you absolutely must get copies of all the governing documents of the association and study them. Don't take anyone's word for what can and can't be done; make them cite chapter and verse instead of "that's what we've always done". After that, see if you can gain access to board minutes and resolutions for the last two or three years. Copy them. You may need to refer to them, later.

Good luck. you're going to need it.

Lou Day - Denver, CO

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Colleen, do any of the neighbors know who is on the Board of Directors? If so, ask them to call a meeting of the members to remove the absent President and elect someone to complete their term on the Board. If no one knows who is on the Board you should be able to get a signed petition by at least unit owners (1/2 - 2/3) to do the same. The petition can state the date, time, and location of the meeting or else authorizes you to set a date for the meeting upon receiving the necessary signatures. Otherwise make sure the time of the meeting is between about 20 to 30 days after getting the signatures and advising all unit owners of the meeting.

The above (1/2 - 2/3) percentage and advanced notice time (20-30 days) are estimates which should comply with your By-laws and Declaration. Try to get copies of each and comply with their requirements.

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