In the state of California, Homeowners Associations, (HOA’s) are regulated via the Davis Sterling Act, but unlike other government laws, there are no enforcement powers or mechanisms to hold rogue board members and their attorneys accountable. The protections for homeowners is close to nonexistent. The legal system for HOAs as written by the industry that profits off the backs of homeowners was written by the same industry, to increase their profits. This system is rigged. It requires homeowners to use Civil Courts that requires the extensive financial burden be forced onto homeowners. Boards and their lawyers determine risk of violating the law against the fact most homeowners cannot afford that expense. Imagine a board taking away a property owner’s right of access just to sequester land for only out-of-state/country visitors, and those visitors are the ones writing and voting on this restriction! Or, finding yourself at risk of losing your home for installing a sunshade!

As a result of the lack of enforcement and no transparency for enforcement, a majority of homeowners are left with no safety from the cruelty of rogue abusive associations. This practice is dangerous and MUST CHANGE.

Most times there is no lobby group for homeowners while the HOA industry has many who convince our legislators their practice works. In reality, it ONLY works for the HOA industry. They have written laws that mandate nonnegotiable contracts that require waiving your rights as a citizen of the US. If HOAs are to continue, we homeowner’s DEMAND fairness, accountability, transparency and enforcement!

If you agree the State of California should work to fix these dangerous deficiencies within the Davis Sterling Act, please help by signing this petition. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR DONATIONS, ONLY YOUR SIGNATURE. Together we can ‘right this wrong’.

Here are some of the specific reforms that are necessary:

• The creation of an independent agency to investigate and enforce complaints against HOA boards.
• The ability of homeowners to appeal HOA decisions to a neutral third party.
• The requirement for HOA boards to be more transparent about their finances and decision-making process.
• The prohibition of HOAs from requiring homeowners to waive their legal rights.

I believe that these reforms would help to level the playing field for homeowners and make it more difficult for HOA boards to abuse their power. I urge you to join me in supporting these reforms.

Thank you.