Most HOA disputes don’t fall apart because the homeowner is wrong—they fall apart because the paper trail is a mess. In this episode of Bad HOA, we introduce the Homeowner Empowerment Kit, a tactical framework designed to help homeowners organize evidence, clarify objectives, and present disputes in a way boards and attorneys take seriously. We walk through each section of the kit, explain why organization changes outcomes, and show how preparation becomes leverage—without giving legal advice.

Download the Free Kit on our Subreddit:

https://lsclaw.co/heksub

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Connect with Us

Web: https://lscarlsonlaw.com/hoa-disputes

Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/badhoa

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lscarlsonlaw

Social:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lscarlsonlaw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lscarlsonlaw/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lscarlsonlaw/

X: https://x.com/lscarlsonlaw

Bad HOA Podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Fghhb6ZjG1GfG7F4PDcNA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-hoa/id1743840073

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe8IADUDqQ0jtUvHKS6447Xf1bphf03ZE&si=piqR0WTgJWxZWe7F

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Legal Disclaimer:

The information in this video is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Viewing this video does not create an attorney-client relationship with LS Carlson Law or any of its attorneys. Laws and regulations can change, and how they apply to your situation may vary depending on the facts and jurisdiction.

If you have specific questions about your rights or obligations under your HOA’s governing documents, consult with a qualified attorney licensed in your state. LS Carlson Law practices in California and Florida and represents homeowners only.

In this episode of Bad HOA, Luke Carlson and Marty Vasquez introduce the STRIKE Method, a practical framework homeowners use to approach disputes with clarity, documentation, and strategic discipline.

We walk through each step of STRIKE—Stay Calm, Track Everything, Record Evidence, Invest in Knowledge, Keep It Precise, and Escalate Only If Necessary—and explain why this approach consistently puts homeowners in stronger positions.

This episode is designed as a reference point for anyone dealing with a bad HOA, whether you’re just starting a dispute or trying to regain control of one that’s already underway.

You can find the STRIKE worksheet on our subred: https://www.reddit.com/r/BADHOA/comments/1pu3d15/the_strike_method_a_simple_framework_homeowners/

Connect with Us

Web: https://lscarlsonlaw.com/hoa-disputes

Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/badhoa

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lscarlsonlaw

Social:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lscarlsonlaw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lscarlsonlaw/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lscarlsonlaw/

X: https://x.com/lscarlsonlaw

Legal Disclaimer:

The information in this video is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Viewing this video does not create an attorney-client relationship with LS Carlson Law or any of its attorneys. Laws and regulations can change, and how they apply to your situation may vary depending on the facts and jurisdiction.

If you have specific questions about your rights or obligations under your HOA’s governing documents, consult with a qualified attorney licensed in your state. LS Carlson Law practices in California and Florida and represents homeowners only.

This episode came straight from the r/BADHOA community. After asking which topics you wanted us to cover next, the most upvoted theme was clear: HOA transparency—what records exist, what homeowners are entitled to see, how to request them without getting ignored, and what it means when a board simply refuses to comply.

In this episode, Luke and Marty break down the types of records HOAs are required to maintain under California’s Davis–Stirling Act, how homeowners typically submit requests, what those records can reveal in a dispute, and why ignored requests often become powerful leverage. Even if you’re outside California, the concepts discussed here can help you research the rules in your own state.

We made this episode because the community asked for it—literally. The outline came directly from your comments on the episode request thread.

This episode covers:
• What records HOAs keep and what owners are entitled to
• What documents are off-limits (privilege, privacy, investigations)
• How to make a proper written request under California Civil Code §5200
• How long the HOA has to respond
• When fees are reasonable—and when they’re weaponized
• Penalties and consequences when a board stonewalls
• How transparency becomes a homeowner’s strongest leverage

For those who prefer a quick breakdown, we also recorded a short TL;DR version: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/y37LxKSNXrQ

This is general information based on California law, not legal advice. HOA laws vary by state—always consult an attorney in your jurisdiction for guidance on your specific situation.

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Connect with Us

Web: https://lscarlsonlaw.com/hoa-disputes

Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/badhoa

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lscarlsonlaw

Social:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lscarlsonlaw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lscarlsonlaw/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lscarlsonlaw/

X: https://x.com/lscarlsonlaw

Bad HOA Podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Fghhb6ZjG1GfG7F4PDcNA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-hoa/id1743840073

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe8IADUDqQ0jtUvHKS6447Xf1bphf03ZE&si=piqR0WTgJWxZWe7F

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Homeowners dealing with unfair HOAs have a new place to unite, share strategies, and build real power: the official Bad HOA subreddit.In this episode, Luke and Marty discuss how the Bad HOA community has grown from a podcast into a full ecosystem—complete with a national forum designed to help homeowners collaborate, compare experiences, and push back against overreaching boards and management companies.You’ll learn how strategic collaboration strengthens homeowner disputes, why shared knowledge leads to better outcomes, and what tools, resources, and reform efforts are coming next. If you’re ready to join the movement, step inside the homeowner war room.🔗 Join the subreddit: r/BadHOA🔔 Subscribe for more homeowner empowerment📘 Check out the Bad HOA book for deeper insights🌎 Check out our website for more info: https://lscarlsonlaw.com/hoa-disputes-----Legal Disclaimer:The information in this video is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Viewing this video does not create an attorney-client relationship with LS Carlson Law or any of its attorneys. Laws and regulations can change, and how they apply to your situation may vary depending on the facts and jurisdiction.If you have specific questions about your rights or obligations under your HOA’s governing documents, consult with a qualified attorney licensed in your state. LS Carlson Law practices in California and Florida and represents homeowners only.

Most HOA disputes don’t start in a courtroom—they start with a confusing letter and a lot of emotion. In this episode, Luke and Marty break down a practical approach for homeowners: adopt a clinical voice, build a bulletproof paper trail, use the CC&Rs to frame the issue, spot selective enforcement, and, in California, leverage Informal Dispute Resolution under the Davis-Stirling Act. We also outline the red flags that mean it’s time to consult an HOA lawyer—think lien threats, foreclosure letters, and chronic ghosting. Nothing here is legal advice; it’s a roadmap to help you steer your dispute with clarity and leverage in CA & FL.

https://lscarlsonlaw.com/hoa-disputes

Legal Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and isn’t legal advice. LS Carlson Law represents homeowners in California and Florida. If you need help, consult with an attorney licensed in your state.

In this episode of Bad HOA, Luke and Marty pull back the curtain on how HOA rules really work. They explain the difference between CC&Rs, bylaws, and everyday regulations—when the board can act alone, when a homeowner vote is mandatory, and how state law overrides outdated or illegal rules. If you’ve ever wondered whether your HOA had the right to make that change, this is your guide.

lscarlsonlaw.com

Disclaimer:
The information in this video is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Viewing this video does not create an attorney-client relationship with LS Carlson Law or any of its attorneys. Laws and regulations can change, and how they apply to your situation may vary depending on the facts and jurisdiction.

If you have specific questions about your rights or obligations under your HOA’s governing documents, consult with a qualified attorney licensed in your state. LS Carlson Law practices in California and Florida and represents homeowners only.

Most homeowners think their battle is with the property management company—but here’s the truth: they’re just the hired help. In this episode, attorney Luke Carlson breaks down the often misunderstood relationship between HOAs and property managers, revealing who’s actually pulling the strings, who you should be holding accountable, and why these two entities often operate like they're in cahoots.

lscarlsonlaw.com/hoa-disputes

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this episode does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws may vary by jurisdiction, and the information discussed may not apply to your specific situation. If you are facing an HOA dispute or any legal issue, you should consult a qualified attorney licensed in your state.

This episode of Bad HOA takes you behind the scenes of our trip to Sacramento during the passage of AB 130. Luke and Marty discuss Capitol conversations, the LA Times front-page story, and the national media attention that followed. Most importantly, they ask: what’s next in HOA reform?

California homeowners just got a major legal win. In this episode of Bad HOA, attorney Luke Carlson breaks down AB-130—the landmark legislation that caps HOA fines at $100, eliminates interest and late fees on violations, and finally enforces due process protections for homeowners.

From Sacramento strategy sessions to real stories of abuse, this episode takes you behind the scenes of a growing movement that's turning the tide against overreaching HOAs.

🚨 Recently featured in the LA Times, Yahoo! News, AOL, MSN, Daily Mail, and NewsBreak, this story is gaining national traction—and for good reason.

In this episode:

• Why AB-130 is a breakthrough for homeowner rights

• How LS Carlson Law is pushing reform from the inside

• The 3-part plan empowering homeowners nationwide

• What’s next for the HOA accountability movement

If you’ve ever felt powerless against your HOA, this episode will change the way you see your rights—and what you can do about them.

🔗 Learn more or get help with your dispute at lscarlsonlaw.com
📚 Get the book: Bad HOA🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube

In this episode of Bad HOA, host Luke Carlson is joined by fellow LS Carlson Law attorney and partner Ryan Davies to dissect what homeowners really need to know before buying into an HOA. They explore common red flags, the roles of CC&Rs and rules, and how to identify a dysfunctional board before it’s too late. If you’re a first-time buyer—or just fed up with your HOA—don’t miss this practical deep dive.