Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California
HOA small claims
Our association board is embroiled in
a litigation that has cost 30,000 to
date and they have sheiled
themselves by retaining a lawyer --
all at our expense -- and refuse to
cease and desist. A recall has been
scheduled CC7511 and is pending.
We are in the process of selling our
unit and disclosure of this mess is
killing us -- personal individual BOD
small claims for damages?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: HOA small claims
I assume your question is whether you can sue the individual Board members in Small Claims Court. There would be no purpose suing the Association, unless it has insurance coverage, since you and your neighbors are the HOA.
You would have t show that the board members acted entirely outside their authority and how that caused you damages that the judge can calculate. You might get 20-30 minute to do so; I doubt you could present your case, backing it up with evidence, in such a short time to prove a difficult proposition [it would help to know what their litigation is about]. And the Board members would appeal any decision against them. So you are speaking of about three months to get a final binding ruling which probably will not end the litigation. Using the recall procedures seems your best method.
Re: HOA small claims
We would need to know more about the current litigation to provide you with a course of action. However, small claims, generally, will not provide the resolution that you are looking for when you live in a HOA Community.
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