Navigating HOA Disputes: A Homeowner’s Guide

In this episode of HOA HELL, attorney Michael Kushner delivers something every California homeowner needs: a step-by-step playbook for confronting your HOA when things go wrong.

If you’ve been dealing with a dysfunctional or abusive board—whether it’s ignoring maintenance obligations, enforcing rules unevenly, or blocking your improvement requests without justification—this episode gives you the legal roadmap to fight back effectively and professionally.

Joined by MBK Chapman senior associate Sam Khil, Michael explains exactly what to do when your HOA crosses the line, and why the law is often more on your side than you’ve been led to believe.


🎯What You’ll Learn in this Episode?

✅ How to recognize a valid HOA dispute
From biased board members refusing to recuse themselves to chronic maintenance neglect—these aren’t just annoyances. They’re legal liabilities.

✅ A Six-Step Action Plan
Michael outlines the exact sequence every homeowner should follow before involving a lawyer—starting with understanding your CC&Rs and ending with strategic escalation or recall.

✅ Your rights under California law
Learn how to demand IDR (Internal Dispute Resolution) and when it makes sense to push for ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) before heading to court.

✅ Why MBK Chapman’s ADR strategy works
Michael pioneered a pre-litigation system used by the biggest HOA-focused law firms in California—learn how it works and how it can save you thousands.

✅ When to involve an attorney
Understand the tipping point where legal representation becomes not just helpful—but essential.

📥 Free Homeowner Resource
For a deeper dive into your legal rights and options, download Michael Kushner’s “A Homeowner’s Essential Guide to Homeowner Associations – 2025 Edition”—absolutely free.

🔗 Visit: https://mbkchapman.com/learning/. Follow the on-screen instructions to access the guide, which includes expanded insights on dispute resolution, governing documents, recalls, and a detailed Q&A addressing the most common homeowner issues in California.

🔔 Subscribe for More: If you’re tired of HOA nonsense and ready for real answers, subscribe to HOA HELL and turn on notifications.

👍 Like the video.

🔗 Share it with neighbors in HOA-governed communities.

🗨️ Leave a comment—especially if you’ve got a horror story you want featured.

🌐 📞Want to talk to an attorney at MBK Chapman? Contact us at www.mbkchapman.com. Let us know that you heard about us from the podcast, HOA HELL.

Disclaimer:

This content constitutes attorney advertising.

The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by listening to this podcast, submitting a question, or receiving a response. Always consult with a licensed attorney regarding your specific legal situation. MBK Chapman and Michael Kushner disclaim any liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this podcast.

This communication does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

About:

Michael Kushner is the attorney who pioneered this niche area of the law—representing homeowners in disputes with their HOAs—in California. He created and taught the systems now used by the biggest law firms in the state focused on HOA litigation. Through his firm, MBK Chapman, and now through HOA HELL, Kushner continues to give homeowners practical legal tools to fight back.

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#HOAHell #CaliforniaHOA #HOARights #DavisStirling #michaelkushner #lukecarlson #lscarlsonlaw #badhoa