From repairs to remodeling to how you use your patio, condominium ownership means navigating a unique set of rules that are not always obvious or intuitive.

We live in angry times. Homeowners who berate the board and manager are exhausting. Controlling communication, refusing to engage with abuse, involving legal counsel, and utilizing a 'peacemaker” can foster a calmer community environment.

Given the reality of multi-million-dollar deductibles that may exceed actual damages, even HOAs that carry expensive earthquake policies may not have meaningful coverage. Boards can consider dropping the coverage—if their CC&Rs let them.

Replacing common area lighting with energy-efficient, long-lasting LEDs can save HOAs significant money on electricity and replacement, with a quick payback and improved appearance. LADWP's Commercial Direct Install program may replace some lighting for free.

Participation in an organics recycling program is now mandatory in California. Compliance can be messy in a condominium building. By carefully reviewing their waste hauler’s rules—in this case, a recommendation to put food scraps in plastic bags—this condo found a practical solution.

California law requires HOAs to allow owners to install EV chargers, even in aging buildings with limited electrical capacity. After a bad installation caused a fire in the electrical room, this board took time to set goals and explore all the options, including third-party charging stations, Level 1 “trickle charging”…

Condominium HOAs in Los Angeles may be eligible for significant savings on electricity bills by switching from the default residential rate to LADWP's little-known A1A commercial rate. The option is not documented on LADWP’s website but for certain buildings, it can result in substantial cost reductions.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to determine if switching LADWP electricity for a condominium’s common area will save money by comparing their current bills with costs calculated using LADWP's online tool.

A new California law, AB-1572, unfairly targets condominium owners by prohibiting the use of potable water on their often tiny patches of "nonfunctional" turf while exempting single-family homes and apartments.

A condominium board tackled persistent mail theft by studying security footage and then taking counteractive measures, including hardening the front door, new mailboxes and a timer for the “arrow key” the postal service uses to enter the building through the buzzer entry system.

Condominium association policies are classified as commercial, not residential. That means condo associations are not guaranteed the consumer protections provided to single-family homes—including a moratorium on cancellations in areas near Los Angeles burn areas.

Given the reality of multi-million-dollar deductibles that may exceed actual damages, even HOAs that carry expensive earthquake policies may not have meaningful coverage. Boards can consider dropping the coverage—if their CC&Rs let them.

To pass electrical inspection, you may be required to install a protective bollard for an EV charger. Here’s how to challenge that expensive and often unnecessary requirement, plus updates on electrical room safety repairs and how to process EV charging applications within an HOA.

Participation in an organics recycling program is now mandatory in California. Compliance can be messy in a condominium building. By carefully reviewing their waste hauler’s rules—in this case, a recommendation to put food scraps in plastic bags—this condo found a practical solution.

California law requires HOAs to allow owners to install EV chargers, even in aging buildings with limited electrical capacity. After a bad installation caused a fire in the electrical room, this board took time to set goals and explore all the options, including third-party charging stations, Level 1 “trickle charging”…

Condominium HOAs in Los Angeles may be eligible for significant savings on electricity bills by switching from the default residential rate to LADWP's little-known A1A commercial rate. The option is not documented on LADWP’s website but for certain buildings, it can result in substantial cost reductions.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to determine if switching LADWP electricity for a condominium’s common area will save money by comparing their current bills with costs calculated using LADWP's online tool.

Given the reality of multi-million-dollar deductibles that may exceed actual damages, even HOAs that carry expensive earthquake policies may not have meaningful coverage. Boards can consider dropping the coverage—if their CC&Rs let them.

Replacing common area lighting with energy-efficient, long-lasting LEDs can save HOAs significant money on electricity and replacement, with a quick payback and improved appearance. LADWP's Commercial Direct Install program may replace some lighting for free.

Participation in an organics recycling program is now mandatory in California. Compliance can be messy in a condominium building. By carefully reviewing their waste hauler’s rules—in this case, a recommendation to put food scraps in plastic bags—this condo found a practical solution.

Why is one condo’s monthly dues so much higher than another’s? Taking a hard look at the budget can produce some savings, but differences between buildings and the types of insurance, amenities, utility metering and services lead to inherently different costs.

Condominium HOAs in Los Angeles may be eligible for significant savings on electricity bills by switching from the default residential rate to LADWP's little-known A1A commercial rate. The option is not documented on LADWP’s website but for certain buildings, it can result in substantial cost reductions.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to determine if switching LADWP electricity for a condominium’s common area will save money by comparing their current bills with costs calculated using LADWP's online tool.