Lawmakers say boards have gone too far by seizing and selling units over minor disputes

June 07, 2004

By Daniel Yi (View author info)
Copyright Los Angeles Times

Alarmed by a flurry of horror stories, state lawmakers are rushing to resolve a long-standing complaint about homeowners associations: the power that they have to seize properties without going to court. Click link for rest of this article

Background On This Article:

Melisssa Colburn contacted AHRC in 2003 for help in publishing the foreclosure of her home after spending $58,000 in legal fees. AHRC dissemminated this information to all news media and the ensuing publicity helped to pressure Peters & Freedman into returning her home and paying her a settlement.

When Los Angeles Times reporter, Daniel Yi, called AHRC for additional information after researching the AHRC website for homeowner association flag stories , the AHRC staff told him that foreclosures were the biggest single problem for homeowners and asked that the Times provide its readers with homeowner association foreclosure information.

He asked for a series of meetings, did extensive phone interviews with AHRC staff to discuss homeowner association foreclosures and pending legislation, and requested that AHRC viewers contact him with their stories. AHRC arranged a meeting with several victims, including Melissa Colburn. He completed the story with input from his editor Steve Marble.

Instructions:

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