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.

Not every HOA dispute requires a lawyer—but some absolutely do. In this episode of Bad HOA, Luke Carlson and Marty break down the critical signs that your issue has escalated beyond informal resolution. From board hostility to weaponized attorneys, learn when to bring in a homeowner association lawyer to protect your rights and your property.

In this eye-opening episode of Bad HOA, attorneys Luke Carlson and producer Marty dive deep into the often misunderstood world of HOA governing documents. They reveal the crucial differences between CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions) and bylaws, explaining how these documents not only restrict homeowners but also provide powerful tools for protection against HOA overreach.

Learn why you should always review these documents before purchasing a property, how to spot red flags in outdated or poorly drafted CC&Rs, and why the board's failure to follow these documents is often at the heart of HOA disputes. Luke shares valuable insights on how homeowners can leverage their governing documents to understand their rights and hold their associations accountable.

Whether you're considering buying into an HOA community or currently dealing with an unreasonable association, this episode provides essential knowledge about the documents that define the relationship between homeowners and their HOAs.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? We’ve put together a blog post packed with helpful insights—take a look!:

https://lscarlsonlaw.com/articles/hoa-governing-documents-ccrs-bylaws-rights-protection

DISCLAIMER: This video contains general legal information for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique and viewers should consult with a qualified attorney regarding their specific situation.

In this special anniversary episode, host Luke Carlson unveils his new book "Bad HOA: The Homeowner's Guide to Going to War and Reclaiming Your Power" - now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Drawing from LS Carlson Law's 15+ years representing homeowners against problematic HOAs, Luke breaks down how the book empowers homeowners to fight back effectively. From identifying common HOA personality types like "The Tyrant" to strategic approaches for resolving disputes, Luke and producer Marty discuss how this practical guide helps homeowners transform from feeling powerless to taking control. Whether you're dealing with early warning signs or full-blown litigation, this episode highlights how the book provides actionable strategies for homeowners across all states. Visit lscrlsonlaw.com/bad-hoa-book to download the first chapter free.

DISCLAIMER: This video contains general legal information for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique and viewers should consult with a qualified attorney regarding their specific situation.

When does your San Diego HOA cross the line from enforcement to bullying? In this San Diego-focused episode of Bad HOA, host Luke Carlson welcomes attorney Scott McDonald to share insights from 15+ years of representing homeowners throughout San Diego County.

Scott reveals the unique challenges facing different San Diego communities: water intrusion and mold issues in coastal properties, noise disputes in downtown high-rises, and board power dynamics in North County developments. You'll hear practical advice specifically tailored to San Diego homeowners, including how to communicate effectively with difficult boards, when to consider paying fines under protest, and the precise moment to consult with a San Diego HOA attorney.

The team dissects a Reddit post about excessive noise fines in a downtown San Diego high-rise, offering strategic approaches for homeowners facing similar situations. Plus, Scott shares a shocking story about a San Diego HOA that ignored maintenance issues until a roof literally collapsed into a homeowner's bedroom!

Whether you're facing HOA challenges in La Jolla, Carlsbad, downtown, or anywhere in San Diego County, this episode provides essential insights for protecting your rights and your home. Tune in to learn how LS Carlson Law has become San Diego's go-to resource for homeowners fighting back against bullying HOAs.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? We’ve put together a blog post packed with helpful insights—take a look:

https://lscarlsonlaw.com/articles/san-diego-hoa-attorney-guide

DISCLAIMER: This episode contains general legal information for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique and viewers should consult with a qualified attorney regarding their specific situation.

In this eye-opening episode, Luke Carlson and Marty welcome Florida partner Steven Shack to discuss one of the most frustrating HOA issues: dealing with tyrannical board members. Steven reveals the telltale signs of a tyrant board member, from selective enforcement to intentional disregard of governing documents, and shares powerful strategies Florida homeowners can use to fight back.

Learn about the "50-10 Rule" that empowers Florida homeowners to call special meetings or even remove problematic board members entirely. Discover the importance of records inspections in documenting selective enforcement, and hear a success story about removing three tyrannical board members from a Florida condo association.

Whether you're dealing with a power-hungry board member or simply want to know your rights as a Florida homeowner, this episode provides the knowledge and tools you need to protect your home and restore harmony to your community.

Highlights:

• Identifying the traits of a tyrannical board member
• Understanding Florida homeowners' rights to inspect records
• The power of the 10% petition and 50% recall process
• When to handle HOA issues yourself vs. when to hire an attorney
• Success story: Removing three problematic board members

In this episode of Bad HOA, host Luke Carlson welcomes Keith, LS Carlson Law's Florida partner, to discuss the enforceability of HOA rules in Florida communities.

Keith shares insights on how Florida's progressive homeowner protection laws establish clear boundaries for HOA rulemaking authority. Discover the proper procedures HOAs must follow when creating new rules, including the latest requirements for providing notice to homeowners.

The conversation explores several categories of unenforceable rules, including those that violate constitutional rights, conflict with Florida statutes protecting solar panels and EV charging stations, contradict existing governing documents, or involve discriminatory enforcement practices.

Luke and Keith provide practical guidance for homeowners facing questionable HOA rules, from reviewing governing documents to pursuing legal action when necessary. The episode also covers Florida's requirement for alternative dispute resolution before litigation and the potential to recover attorney's fees when challenging unenforceable rules.

Whether you're dealing with pickleball court controversies or questionable architectural restrictions, this episode offers valuable insights for Florida homeowners navigating HOA governance.

Don't miss our "Reddit HOA Horror Story" segment, where Keith analyzes a complex case of alleged election fraud and board misconduct in a Florida condominium association!

Also, Keith wrote a fantastic article that goes into more detail on this very subject on our website. We invite all of our listeners to check it out: https://lscarlsonlaw.com/articles/florida-hoa-rule-enforceability-guide

Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is offered purely for informational purposes. The information found in this video is intended to provide you with information on current topics of general legal or real estate interest. If you need legal advice, you should seek the advice of a licensed attorney. Nothing in the video is intended to create, offer, or promote an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship with any attorney at LS Carlson Law can only be formed through a written fee agreement signed by you and a partner of the firm.

In this episode of the Bad HOA Podcast, HOA Attorney and Host Luke Carlson, Esq. from LS Carlson Law, is joined by Producer Marty Vasquez and Florida Partner David Lehr to explore the often-overlooked power of record inspection rights in Florida HOAs and condos. Many homeowners don't realize they have a legal right to inspect their association's records - a powerful tool for ensuring transparency and accountability.

Key topics covered include:

• Understanding your legal rights to association records in Florida
• Step-by-step process for requesting and inspecting documents
• What records you're entitled to see and what's off-limits
• How to handle resistance from your association
• Coming changes to digital record-keeping requirements
• Real-world example of using records inspection in towing disputes

Whether you're concerned about your association's financial management or facing selective enforcement, this episode equips you with the knowledge to exercise your rights effectively. Learn how to use Florida's record inspection laws to protect your interests and ensure proper association governance.

For More Information About This Topic, See Our Comprehensive Blog Post:

https://lscarlsonlaw.com/articles/florida-hoa-record-inspection-rights-guide

Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is offered purely for informational purposes. The information found in this episode is intended to provide you with information on current topics of general legal or real estate interest. If you need legal advice, you should seek the advice of a licensed attorney. Nothing in the podcast is intended to create, offer, or promote an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship with any attorney at LS Carlson Law can only be formed through a written fee agreement signed by you and a partner of the firm.