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.

Almost two years after CondoWonk reported that a little-known electric rate could lower HOA common area electric bills, an LADWP spokesperson acknowledges that its website provides no information. Instead, LADWP’s website refers only to a residential rate that causes bills to spike in the summertime.

The great majority of condo units for sale in Los Angeles are in buildings that are more than 30 years old. They may offer nicely remodeled units with generous space, but older buildings need more maintenance. Here is helpful advice for the kind of issues buyers are likely to find…

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 4745 requires HOAs to allow owners to install EV chargers, even in aging buildings with limited electrical capacity. After a fire in the electrical room, a board explored its options, including third-party stations, Level 1 “trickle charging” and Level 2 chargers with devices to prevent overloading capacity.

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.

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.

Almost two years after CondoWonk reported that a little-known electric rate could lower HOA common area electric bills, an LADWP spokesperson acknowledges that its website provides no information. Instead, LADWP’s website refers only to a residential rate that causes bills to spike in the summertime.

Condominiums may save money on common area electricity by switching rates, but LADWP’s website won't tell you about it. This article, a companion to LADWP Electricity Rates: One that may Save your HOA Money is Still Secret, gives step-by-step instructions for switching rates.

The great majority of condo units for sale in Los Angeles are in buildings that are more than 30 years old. They may offer nicely remodeled units with generous space, but older buildings need more maintenance. Here is helpful advice for the kind of issues buyers are likely to find…

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 4745 requires HOAs to allow owners to install EV chargers, even in aging buildings with limited electrical capacity. After a fire in the electrical room, a board explored its options, including third-party stations, Level 1 “trickle charging” and Level 2 chargers with devices to prevent overloading capacity.

Almost two years after CondoWonk reported that a little-known electric rate could lower HOA common area electric bills, an LADWP spokesperson acknowledges that its website provides no information. Instead, LADWP’s website refers only to a residential rate that causes bills to spike in the summertime.

Condominiums may save money on common area electricity by switching rates, but LADWP’s website won't tell you about it. This article, a companion to LADWP Electricity Rates: One that may Save your HOA Money is Still Secret, gives step-by-step instructions for switching rates.

The great majority of condo units for sale in Los Angeles are in buildings that are more than 30 years old. They may offer nicely remodeled units with generous space, but older buildings need more maintenance. Here is helpful advice for the kind of issues buyers are likely to find…

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.