Maintenance

THE HIDDEN COST OF POOR CHOICE OF VENDOR: Why "the lowest bid" can quietly become the most expensive decision a community makes

From repaving roads to replacing roofs, communities and homeowner associations (HOAs) routinely hire vendors for projects that affect safety, property values, budgets, and neighbor trust. When costs rise, it’s tempting to choose the lowest bid, hire a contractor without solid coverage, or manage a major job in-house. The trouble is that “cheap” decisions often don’t save money—they relocate it into change orders, delays, disputes, liability exposure, and long-term maintenance

Ray N. Echlin

Sep 293 min read

ZONE ZERO: The New Front Line in Wildfire Protection forCalifornia Communities

California's fire seasons are growing longer and more intense, and both state and local agencies are turning their attention to a crucial area around homes called “Zone 0.” For homeowner associations and residential communities, knowing about Zone 0 is more important than ever—not just for safety, but also for long-term landscaping, upkeep, and insurance. What Is Zone 0? Zone 0 is the first 5 feet around a home or building. Experts now see this area as one of the most importa

Alan Denison

Sep 293 min read

Who Fixes What: Understanding Maintenance Obligations in California HOAs by Cyrus Koocheck, Esq.

One of the most common and consequential questions a homeowners association board will face is deceptively simple: who is responsible for fixing this? Whether the issue is a leaking plumbing line inside a wall, a damaged fence, a cracked patio slab, or a failed window, the answer is critical to understanding who actually performs the repair, who pays the contractor, and who bears liability if the problem is ignored. Yet despite how frequently this question arises, many boards

Cyrus Koochek, Partner with SwedelsonGottlieb

Sep 176 min read