REPORTING RENTALS TO BANKS

REPORTING RENTALS TO BANKS

QUESTION: Is my HOA required by law to gather data with regard to occupancy (owner or renter) in our development? I am unable to refinance because most lenders require this information.

ANSWER: No, there is no such requirement. Some boards may have stopped tracking rentals since they can't do anything about them--a perverse gift of the California Association of Realtors (CAR). In 2011, CAR pushed through legislation crippling the ability of associations to adopt rental caps.

As a practical matter, most associations provide such information (as best they can) to assist owners with the refinancing and sale of their units since lending institutions recognize the damaging effect too many rentals have on property values and the stability of community associations. 

Even though there is no statutory duty to gather rental information, if the matter were litigated, an argument could be made that (i) the information is vital to members, (ii) impossible for members to collect, but (iii) within the board's power to gather, therefore, (iv) boards have a duty to provide the information. Litigation, however, is not the best solution because of the cost, the uncertainty of the outcome, and the further delays it would create in the sale of units.

RECOMMENDATION: Lobby your board. The association's management company can determine the number of rentals by looking at billing records and making phone calls. Those with offsite billing addresses are either landlords or part-time residents. Telephone calls to those individuals would provide the information you need. If there is a cost to gather the data and the board is unwilling to pay it, offer to pay. It is considerably less expensive than litigation and will provide a much faster result.

PAINT COLORS

QUESTION: We are in the process of selecting paint colors for the exteriors of our buildings. The board chose three color schemes for membership review but several members are unhappy with the choices. Please advise.

ANSWER: It's impossible to please everyone, especially when it comes to paint colors (or carpet, wallpaper, lobby furniture, etc.). Putting it to a vote of the members is the best way to handle the situation. If the board leaves the membership out of the decision-making process, unhappy owners would have a clear target—the board—and may threaten to sue or launch a recall.

Benefit of Owner Vote. If the membership makes the selection, there is no one to recall. It also makes a lawsuit less likely since unhappy owners would have to sue the association as a whole and then try to convince a judge that the majority's decision should be reversed. I don't see that happening.

Voting Formalities. In this case, a membership vote does not require secret balloting, which is reserved for specific kinds of votes. It can be done electronically or by paper. If paper ballots are used, they can be signed or unsigned. Although not required, it's still a good idea to use an independent inspector of elections. 

DROUGHT EMERGENCY AND ARTIFICIAL TURF

Readers asked if the Davis-Stirling Act or the drought emergency voids existing HOA restrictions on artificial turf. Attorney Curt Sproul of the law firm Sproul Trost, LLP provides the answer:

Davis-Stirling. The recent amendment to Civil Code §4735 (dealing with architectural and landscaping guidelines) fell short of prohibiting artificial turf. That amendment said that “architectural or landscape policies are void if they prohibit or include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting the use of low water-using plants as a group or as a replacement of existing turf.” Although low water-using, artificial turf is to plants what a toupee is to real hair. 

Governor's Order. On April 25, 2014, the Governor adopted the following provision:

[HOAs] have reportedly fined or threatened to fine homeowners who comply with water conservation measures…To prevent this practice…I order that any provision of the governing documents, architectural or landscaping guidelines, or policies of a common interest development will be void and unenforceable to the extent [that the provision] has the effect of prohibiting compliance with the water-saving measures contained in this directive, or any conservation measure adopted by a public agency or private water company, any provision of [the Davis-Stirling Act] notwithstanding.

The Order does not mention artificial turf but does indicate that public agencies and private water companies could go further than the restrictions currently set forth in Civil Code §4735 and issue directives overriding HOA restrictions (including those related to artificial turf). That has not yet happened. 

SUMMARY. HOA restrictions on artificial turf are still valid. However, that may change. Currently, there is a bill in the legislature to add the more generic "landscaping" to the statute which, according to the author, would stop HOAs from prohibiting artificial turf (see AB 349).

MANDATORY WATER REDUCTION

MANDATORY WATER REDUCTION

This week Governor Brown imposed unprecedented mandatory water restrictions. To address the worsening drought, he ordered a 25% reduction in water usage throughout the state. Because of growing scarcity, water rates will likely spike which will adversely affect association budgets. That means boards need to look for ways to save water.

Master Metered HOAs. This is particularly difficult for master metered developments since they have no control over water usage by members inside their units. Boards can, however, hire a plumber at HOA expense to inspect all units in the complex for water leaks, for high water usage toilets, and to install water savers on showers and faucets. If presented properly to the membership, everyone should cooperate.

Some of my clients have already implemented inspection programs and made a complete list of leaky faucets, valves, supply lines, drains, toilets, shower heads, etc. throughout the development. The list also includes units that need water saving devices. Arrangements can then be made to make repairs, change toilets and install water-saving devices at a discounted rate to owners if they agree to the repairs.

For those who refuse, boards can hold hearings, impose fines, and send lawyer letters to persuade the recalcitrant to cooperate.
Common Areas. For PUDs and condominium associations alike, landscaping is an obvious source of savings. It can be addressed in a variety of ways such as (i) installing drought resistant plant materials, (ii) installing artificial turf where appropriate, and (iii) replacing old irrigation systems with "smart" systems to reduce water usage.

RECOMMENDATION: Boards should meet with plumbers, legal counsel and management to set up an inspection/repair program for all plumbing in the development along with retrofitting with low-water devices.Boards should also meet with landscapers for ideas on how best to reduce water usage. 

ABANDONED PERSONAL PROPERTY

QUESTION: We foreclosed on an owner but he left behind personal property. During the 90-day redemption period can he get his property or would it be considered trespassing? If he doesn't retrieve his belongings, when and how can they be removed? 

90-Day Hold. When real property is sold subject to a right of redemption (Civ. Code §5715(b)), the association's right to possession is deferred until the redemption period has expired and after its title has perfected. (First Nat. Trust & Sav. Bank of San Diego v. Staley, (1933) 219 Cal. 225, 227; Code Civ.Proc. §1161a (b)(2) & (3).) 

Accordingly an association has no right to either evict an owner or the owner’s tenant, or to enter the property to remove personal property until after the 90-day redemption period expires. Once the redemption period ends and title transfers, the association can dispose of personal property using legally proscribed methods.

Abandoned Personal Property. Personal property abandoned on residential premises can be removed as provided for in Civil Code, §§1951.3 and 1980 through 1991. The process requires notice to the former owner (or tenant) of his right to reclaim the abandoned property. The association must allow for recovery within 15 to 18 days of the notice (depending on how notice is given) and indicate that it may be disposed of by public auction thereafter.

The property must be left in the vacated premises or stored elsewhere during the reclamation period. After that period has passed, if the property is believed to be worth less than $700, it may be disposed of as the association sees fit. If it is worth $700 or more, it must be sold at public auction. The proceeds, after all costs are deducted, go to the county which allows the owner to claim the excess within a year.

"Lost Property." The law makes a distinction between property which is “abandoned” and that which is “lost.” Abandonment requires intent to leave the property behind. (Civ. Code §2080.7.) Without intent to abandon, the property is deemed lost and the association would follow procedures in Civil Code §2080 through 2080.10 which involve informing the owner, if known, and, if the owner is unknown and the property unclaimed, turning it over to the police or sheriff. If the police/sheriff will not accept the property, the association can follow the procedures for abandoned property described above.

Commercial Premises. Disposal of personal property from commercial premises follows procedures beginning in Civil Code §1993.

RECOMMENDATION: Because the law has specific and sometimes complicated requirements, always consult an attorney to be sure proper notices are given and procedures followed.