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2026/2027 LEGAL UPDATE

This year, the Legislature focused on energy and climate upgrades inside the home: cooling systems, heat pumps, energy-efficient windows, and plug-in solar. It also set long-term reserve funding rules, expanded ADU protections, required more transparency on management fees, and cleaned up election and utility-repair rules. Several bills that would have changed fines,...
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AB 2050 Is Now Law: What California HOA Boards Need to Know About the New Reserve Funding Requirements

By: Shelby D. Bennett, Esq. In August, we noted that Assembly Bill 2050 (“AB 2050”) was pending in the Legislature and that reserve funding legislation could still change before it became law. AB 2050 has now been signed. The good news for boards is time: the...
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Insurance & Reserve Funding: The Financial Challenges Facing California HOAs

By: Shelby D. Bennett, Esq. For the past several years, California community associations have faced a perfect storm of rising insurance premiums, escalating repair costs, deferred maintenance concerns, and increased regulatory scrutiny regarding reserve fundings. While the insurance market for common interest developments finally appears to be stabilizing after...
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What Changed? HUD’s New Enforcement Policy on Emotional Support Animals: What It Means for California HOAs

By: Susan M. MacLean, Esq. On May 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) issued an enforcement guidance memorandum that has quickly become a major talking point for housing providers nationwide stating: “Effective immediately, for...
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Pending AB 2579: Cleaning Up AB 130 and Why This Bill Matters 

By: Shelby D. Bennett, Esq. This legislative session, the California State Legislature is considering Assembly Bill 2579 (“AB 2579”), which would build on last year’s changes initiated by Assembly Bill 130 (“AB 130”). As you will certainly recall, AB 130’s controversial amendments to the Civil Code limited community associations’...
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Legal Update: AB 2050 and Possible Changes in Reserve Mandates

By: Cooper R. McHatton, Esq. Assembly Bill 2050 (AB 2050) is currently progressing through the California Legislature. If passed in its current form, the bill would take effect January 1, 2032, and introduce stricter reserve funding mandates under the California Civil Code. Specifically, it would require every reserve study...
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AI and Attorney-Client Privilege: A Caution for Boards and Managers

Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of everyday operations from drafting emails to summarizing documents, AI platforms offer speed and convenience that can be appealing to busy boards and managers, but a recent federal court decision serves as an important reminder: Using public AI tools to analyze legal issues may come...
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New Year, Stronger Community: Is It Time for a Fresh Look at Your Governing Documents?

The start of a new year is a natural time for boards to reflect on the health of their community. While resolutions often focus on improvement and fresh starts, strengthening a community does not require sweeping changes or major disruption. In many cases, it begins with ensuring the association’s governing documents continue...
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