When Your HOA Won't Make Repairs: What Homeowners Can Do

Your roof is leaking.Your roof is leaking. Mold is spreading. The board won't return your calls — or tells you it's your problem when it isn't. In this episode of Bad HOA, Luke Carlson and Marty break down failure-to-repair disputes: what your HOA is actually obligated to maintain, where boards typically get it wrong, and how homeowners can build a documented case that gets taken seriously. This is the third installment in the 2026 Dispute Series Revisited — applying the STRIKE method to one of the most common (and most damaging) HOA problems we see. Luke and Marty walk through: The three property categories that drive maintenance fights: common areas, exclusive-use common areas, and separate interests Why your CC&Rs are the first place to look — and how the Davis-Stirling Act fills the gaps when governing documents are silent or conflict with state law Fiduciary duty and the heightened standard of care board members generally owe every homeowner Real scenarios from years of HOA litigation: the atmospheric river that flooded 20 units after a roofer left a hole uncovered, selective repairs that favor board members' homes, and the deferred-maintenance death spiral that ends in a massive special assessment Why an independent inspection report from a licensed professional is often the single most useful piece of leverage a homeowner can build How the STRIKE method — Stay calm, Track everything, Record and organize evidence, Invest in knowledge, Keep it precise, Escalate only if necessary — applies when your unit is being damaged in real time When informal dispute resolution (IDR) helps, when it's a trap, and how to walk away if a board member tries to rage-bait you -The five signals that may indicate it's time to bring in an attorney If the board has notice, the documents say it's their responsibility, and nothing is happening — this episode is the playbook for what to do next. 00:00 Introduction 02:30 The Reddit Community and Empowerment Tools 06:00 What Your HOA Owes You: Common Areas Defined 10:30 Exclusive-Use Common Areas and Separate Interests 14:00 Who Maintains What — CC&Rs and Davis-Stirling 18:30 Fiduciary Duty and the Heightened Standard of Care 21:00 Real Scenarios: Leaking Roofs and Deferred Maintenance 28:00 The Power of an Independent Inspection Report 33:00 Notice and the Duty to Act 35:00 The STRIKE Method for Failure to Repair 44:00 When to Bring in an Attorney #hoathinhtrungquoc #BadHOA #HomeownerRights #HOARepairs #HOADisputes #DavisStirling #CaliforniaHOA #BadHOAPodcast Connect with Us Web: https://lscarlsonlaw.com/hoa-disputes Reddit:   / badhoa   YouTube:    / @lscarlsonlaw   Social: Instagram:   / lscarlsonlaw   Facebook:   / lscarlsonlaw   LinkedIn:   / lscarlsonlaw   X: https://x.com/lscarlsonlaw Bad HOA Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Fghhb6... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... YouTube:    • Bad HOA   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.