State laws governing common interest developments [aka "homeowner associations"] have historically put the rights of the corporate board above the consumer rights of the homeowner. Low-moderate-income owners are particularly at risk, since it is the rare owner who can afford a lawyer. Owners need lawyers when they can least afford it, i.e. when facing foreclosure by the homeowner association and its debt collector. Associations routinely foreclose in order to collect minute amounts of homeowner assessments, e.g. a $3500 debt, the bulk of which is collection costs.
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<br />Recent changes in state law now offer new consumer protections to the low-moderate income owner, changes enabling the Legal Services attorney to protect vulnerable clients. This program combines an introduction to the new laws governing association debt collection and foreclosure along with strategies for representing homeowners using limited scope representation. Limited scope expert M. Sue Talia will present best practices and materials to enable attorneys to represent homeowners who otherwise would be without competent legal help. CLE 1.5 hours.
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<br />Common interest developments (CIDs) include mobile home parks, co-ops, condos, condo conversions, townhomes, and planned unit developments (PUDs).
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