{"id":6644,"date":"2026-05-15T15:32:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=6644"},"modified":"2026-05-15T15:32:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:32:29","slug":"hoa-homefront-are-monthly-assessments-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=6644","title":{"rendered":"HOA Homefront: Are monthly assessments fair?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Q: My large HOA has monthly assessments that are the same for all units. The units vary in size from free-standing units with yards to attached housing of varying square footage. I have the smallest-sized unit. I have owned this condo for decades. Do I and my fellow like-sized unit owners have any recourse? We are subsidizing a significant portion of the costs of all the other units. What can we do? \u2014 N.V., Laguna Niguel<\/p>\n

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A: Developers typically establish HOA assessment allocations in one of four ways: All pay an equal share of HOA expenses; assessments are based upon number of bedrooms; or they\u2019re based upon the stated square footage; or a hybrid (also called a \u201cvariable assessment\u201d), in which part of the budget is split equally and the rest of the budget is allocated based upon square footage figures (which are not always accurate).<\/p>\n

There are valid arguments supporting each assessment allocation method, making it difficult to decide which system is ultimately the fairest way of assessing homeowners. In 2006, the appellate court ruled on a challenge to assessment allocations in Cebular v. Cooper Arms Apartments. In that case, a homeowner challenged the assessment allocations as unreasonable, but the appellate court said the allocations in the CC&Rs are presumed to be reasonable and there was nothing illegal about it, denying the homeowner\u2019s challenge.<\/p>\n

There are some HOA expenses that seem fairer to split equally, but others would seem to be fairer if they varied based upon unit size. However, short of somehow convincing a majority of the homeowners to amend the CC&Rs and revise the assessment allocation, your HOA\u2019s current assessment allocation is unlikely to change. It\u2019s hard to convince neighbors to vote for a change that might increase their assessments and decrease others. That is why when I\u2019m involved with CC&R overhauls, I urge my clients not to even propose a change in assessment allocations \u2014 consensus is too unlikely.<\/p>\n

Q: I have a question about equal monthly HOA fees. At a recent board meeting a quorum of the board voted to grant a lower monthly fee to a widow. Our CC&Rs specifically state that \u201c\u2026 assessments shall be divided equally among all units.\u201d I believe that this lower rate for one unit violates that, and perhaps the law as well. I value your opinion on this. \u2014 K.W., Santee<\/p>\n

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A: One stewardship responsibility regarding the HOA members\u2019 funds is to ensure that all homeowners contribute their fair share of the HOA\u2019s expenses, and this responsibility is a basic part of the fiduciary duties of each board member. Even though sometimes neighbors have hard times and well deserve sympathy, the board\u2019s responsibility is to collect the HOA\u2019s assessments and pay the HOA\u2019s expenses.<\/p>\n

Intentionally violating the assessment allocation of CC&Rs, even for a commendable reason, could place the board outside the \u201cBusiness Judgment Rule\u201d as well as outside the coverage of the HOA\u2019s directors and officers liability insurance. Discriminating in favor of a single homeowner, no matter how justified it may seem, is not allowed. Perhaps the board\u2019s efforts could be redirected toward seeking help from other neighbors to assist those who are going through very difficult times.<\/p>\n

Richardson is a fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and partner of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for community association advice. Submit column questions to kelly@roattorneys.com. Read past columns at www.HOAHomefront.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Not all assessments for an Homeowners Association are created equal. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6643,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion-columnist","category-represents-the-opinion-of-the-author-who-is-either-a-paid-columnist-or-an-unpaid-guest-columnist"],"yoast_head":"\nHOA Homefront: Are monthly assessments fair? - Silicon Valley Moving Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=6644\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"HOA Homefront: Are monthly assessments fair? 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