A California client asked a very interesting question. California law (Civil Code 1366.1) specifically limits associations from collecting assessments in excess of the actual costs for which the funds are being collected.
Summer is the time for large maintenance and landscape projects and that means spending the big bucks. Too often, HOA discover that they don’t have the money to cover these large expenses. This usually leaves the association with the choice to either impose a special assessment or get a loan. So what one do you choose?
The Funding Plan is the recommended action plan by which the association provides income to the Reserve Fund to offset anticipated Reserve expenses. Reserve contributions are recommended for the initial year within the context of a 20- or 30-yr plan, the Funding Plan is created based on four distinct principles. Sometimes these four principles all point to one solution, sometimes they have to be balanced against each other in the best interests of the association and its members:
Why not just special assess for Reserve expenses when the expenses occur? It fundamentally boils down to fairness and responsible corporate planning. By nature, Reserve expenses occur unevenly through the years: some years will have minimal Reserve expenses, some years will be especially hit hard.
While more financial institutions are offering loans to community associations, this option is not available to all associations. To quality for a loan, an association must demonstrate enough fiscal health (positive assessment revenue stream) to demonstrate to the lender
Popular management consultant Peter Drucker famously stated “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” With that in mind, what future do you want for your association? Will there be sufficient cash to maintain “curb appeal” and maximize owner enjoyment,
