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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. 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 the information is vital to members, impossible for members to collect but within the board's power to gather. A judge could rule that 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. 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.

ASSISTANCE: Associations needing legal assistance can contact us. To stay current with issues affecting community associations, subscribe to the Davis-Stirling Newsletter.

Adams Stirling PLC