Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

homeowner's association hearing

I rent a condo. My dog accidentally got out and was unattended in the courtyard. She is very docile and no one was injured. It was a one time, accidental occurence. Also a few times we walked her off leash, again she is totally docile, but someone blew us in to the HOA a few times for this.

I received a copy of a letter the HOA wrote to the landlord basically accusing her of doing these things and asking her to stop. I explained what happened in detail to her and she was fine with it, understanding that it won't happen again. Thought that was the end of it, but now landlord says they have requested her to come to a ''hearing''. She is trying to get me to go with her, saying she doens't have the explanation and that she wants me to come so I can explain what happened.

This whole thing is raising my shackles. This HOA is very mercenary. I have lived in other communities where a warning would suffice for something like this. I haven't personally received any notice of the hearing, what the ''charges'' are, or what the consequences might be. I don't like going to a legal proceeding where I feel like due process is being violated.

What should I do? I want to stay on good terms with the landlord, but I do't want this blown up any more.


Asked on 9/22/08, 2:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stanley Moerbeek The Law Offices of Stanley L Moerbeek

Re: homeowner's association hearing

Go to the hearing with your landlord. Review the notice of hearing received by the landlord as well as reviewing the association's policies in instances such as this one. It's the landlord who is on the hook for your behavior. If you don't help the landlord you are setting yourself up later for problems with the landlord if the hearing goes badly for her.

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Answered on 9/22/08, 2:30 pm


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