2014 Legislation: AB 968 – Exclusive Use Common Area

Clearer Laws, Safer Communities, Lower Costs Unless your governing documents are very clear, the Davis-Stirling Act exposes associations and their members to expensive legal battles, major safety concerns, and confusion […]

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2015 Legislation – AB 1448 – HOAs Banned from Restricting Clotheslines

Updated on 7/6/15: AB 1448 requires HOAs to permit the use of clotheslines in backyards, and allows the association to place reasonable restrictions on the installation and use of both clotheslines […]

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2015 Legislation – AB 596 – HOAs Must Disclose FHA Status

Updated on 7/6/15: AB 596 proposes to add another disclosure to an HOA’s annual budget report: a statement describing the status of the common interest development as a condominium project approved […]

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2015 Legislation – AB 349 – Restricting Low Water-Using Landscapes and Turf

Updated on 7/6/15: AB 349 to permit “artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass.” HOAs may not require low-water-using plant alternatives to synthetic turf. ECHO opposes AB 349.

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2014 Legislation: AB 2565 – Electric Vehicle Charging Stations for Renters

Subject to certain conditions, AB 2565 would compel a lessor in an association to permit a lessee to install an electric vehicle charging station, provided the lessee agress in writing […]

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2014 Legislation: AB 2188 – Solar Energy Permits

AB 2188 would expedite permits for solar panel installations. This bill requires boards to decide on applications for solar panel installations within 45 days and to notify the applicant in […]

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2014 Legislation: AB 2430 – Sale Package Disclosures and Fees

UPDATE 7/23: The bill was signed by the Govenor. What AB 2430 Says AB 2430 will require an association to itemize each charge for any disclosures it provides to a […]

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2014 Legislation: AB 1636 – Drought and Under-watering Fines

This bill would amend the Water Code to provide a temporary exemption for homeowners who could be fined for under-watering their plants or yards. From the Legislative Counsel’s Digest: This […]

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2014 Legislation: SB 1243 – Regulation of Association Managers

Update: This bill was signed by the Governor on 9/17/14. Current law does not require that common interest managers be certified. However, for managers who wish to use the title “Certified […]

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2014 Legislation: AB 1738 – Attorneys in Dispute Resolution

Update: The Govenor signed the bill on 9/18. AB 1738 allows both homeowners and associations to involve counsel in dispute resolution proceedings such as Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) or “meet […]

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Ask the Maintenance Panel: Landscaping

Published in the ECHO Journal, November 2004 Each month we’ll address a specific maintenance concern that every association faces.  Our panel of experts is here to help answer questions you […]

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The Failure of Voluntary Reserve Funding

Published in the ECHO Journal, November 2006 Revisiting “The Hard Facts: Associations Need Cash!” Author’s note: This article was originally published in the February 2003 ECHO Journal to inform community […]

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Shut-Off Gas Valves Reduce Fires Caused by Quakes

Californians see the best and worst of what mother nature has to offer. Our natural resources and climate are unparalleled, but we also live with the constant reminder of the […]

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How to Decide Which Trees to Plant in Your Community

Everyone loves a lush, green landscape filled with beautiful, healthy trees. However, sometimes trees seem like more trouble than they are worth. Constant building clearance pruning, messy sidewalks, pavement damage, […]

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Update and Optimize Your Landscape’s Irrigation System

A lawn is a precious thing, but so is your money. Learn how to make your sprinkler system the best it can be to keep your gardens beautiful while conserving […]

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New Laws for 2014

Published in the ECHO Journal, December 2013 As we get closer to January 1, 2014 and the official implementation date of the new Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act, we know […]

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Types of Tree Care Certifications and Why They Matter

Tree care companies come in a wide variety of sizes and skill levels, and choosing the right one for your project can be challenging. Should you go with the established, […]

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5 Policies You Should Consider When Hiring a Contractor

How does an association select the best bid and the right contractor? Don’t stop at price and quality: investigate these 5 policies before you hire a contractor and save your HOA […]

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Exterior Water Damage

Water causes more damage in the United States than fire, and California has more water damage than any other state. Flooding and storm damage are considered to be sudden disasters […]

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Letter to the ECHO Journal: Inaccuracies in Reserve Study Article

Published in the ECHO Journal, January 2007 Numerous Inaccuracies in “Back to Basics” article in September 2006 ECHO Journal: ECHO should be applauded for the theme of this article (Reserve […]

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Exempt or Nonexempt: Employee Classification for Overtime Pay

Personal bankers for Bank of America’s wealthiest clients settled for $22 million. Farmers Insurance Exchange claims adjusters were awarded more than $90 million. Starbucks, PacBell and RadioShack “working” managers are […]

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Methods for Resolving Cigarette Controversy in HOAs

Smoking in Communities Over the last ten years the number of multi-residential housing projects has increased dramatically. As people are brought into closer proximity there has been a spike in […]

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