January 11th, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Many new laws have recently been enacted concerning homeowners’ associations (HOAs) for condos, townhomes, and planned developments. Here are some highlights:
- An HOA’s annual budget report must include a statement concerning whether the condo project has FHA and VA certification. The annual budget report is one of the required HOA sales disclosure requirements. This law comes into effect on July 1, 2016.
- An HOA cannot prohibit or unreasonably restrict a clothesline or drying rack in a homeowner’s exclusive use backyard. However, a balcony, railing, awning, or other part of a structure is not a clothesline. This law came into effect on January 1, 2016.
- An HOA cannot prohibit the use of artificial turf or other grass-like synthetic surface. This law came into effect on September 4, 2015.
- For any water-efficient landscaping measures installed as a result of the drought, an HOA cannot require its removal or reversal after drought ends. This law came into effect on September 4, 2015.
- An HOA may impose a fine against a homeowner who receives but fails to use recycled water from certain sources as defined. This law came into effect on October 11, 2015.
These new laws and many other new laws that may affect your real estate practice are set forth in C.A.R.’s website at http://www.car.org/legal/recent-news-laws/2016laws/.
Copyright© 2016 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP). Any unauthorized reproduction or use of this material is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. This information is believed accurate as of January 11, 2016. It is not intended as a substitute for legal advice in individual situations, and is not intended to nor does it create a standard of care for real estate professionals.
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