(a) A copy of the public report of the commissioner, when issued, shall be given to the prospective purchaser by the owner, subdivider, or agent prior to the execution of a binding contract or agreement for the sale or lease of any lot or parcel in a subdivision. The requirement of this section extends to lots or parcels offered by the subdivider after repossession. A receipt shall be taken from the prospective purchaser in a form and manner as set forth in regulations of the Real Estate Commissioner.
(b) A copy of the public report shall be given by the owner, subdivider, or agent at any time, upon oral or written request, to any member of the public. A copy of the public report and a statement advising that a copy of the public report may be obtained from the owner, subdivider or agent at any time, upon oral or written request, shall be posted in a conspicuous place at any office where sales or leases or offers to sell or lease lots within the subdivision are regularly made.
(c) At the same time that a public report is required to be given by the owner, subdivider, or agent pursuant to subdivision (a) with respect to a common interest development, as defined, in Section 4100 of the Civil Code, the owner, subdivider, or agent shall give the prospective purchaser a copy of the following statement:
“Common Interest Development General Information
The project described in the attached Subdivision Public Report is known as a common-interest development. Read the public report carefully for more information about the type of development. The development includes common areas and facilities which will be owned or operated by an owners’ association. Purchase of a lot or unit automatically entitles and obligates you as a member of the association and, in most cases, includes a beneficial interest in the areas and facilities. Since membership in the association is mandatory, you should be aware of the following information before you purchase:
Your ownership in this development and your rights and remedies as a member of its association will be controlled by governing instruments which generally include a Declaration of Restrictions (also known as CC&Rs), Articles of Incorporation (or association), and bylaws. The provisions of these documents are intended to be, and in most cases are, enforceable in a court of law. Study these documents carefully before entering into a contract to purchase a subdivision interest.
In order to provide funds for operation and maintenance of the common facilities, the association will levy assessments against your lot or unit. If you are delinquent in the payment of assessments, the association may enforce payment through court proceedings or your lot or unit may be liened and sold through the exercise of a power of sale. The anticipated income and expenses of the association, including the amount that you may expect to pay through assessments, are outlined in the proposed budget. Ask to see a copy of the budget if the subdivider has not already made it available for your examination.
A homeowner association provides a vehicle for the ownership and use of recreational and other common facilities which were designed to attract you to buy in this development. The association also provides a means to accomplish architectural control and to provide a base for homeowner interaction on a variety of issues. The purchaser of an interest in a common-interest development should contemplate active participation in the affairs of the association. He or she should be willing to serve on the board of directors or on committees created by the board. In short, “they” in a common interest development is “you.” Unless you serve as a member of the governing board or on a committee appointed by the board, your control of the operation of the common areas and facilities is limited to your vote as a member of the association. There are actions that can be taken by the governing body without a vote of the members of the association which can have a significant impact upon the quality of life for association members.
Until there is a sufficient number of purchasers of lots or units in a common interest development to elect a majority of the governing body, it is likely that the subdivider will effectively control the affairs of the association. It is frequently necessary and equitable that the subdivider do so during the early stages of development. It is vitally important to the owners of individual subdivision interests that the transition from subdivider to resident-owner control be accomplished in an orderly manner and in a spirit of cooperation.
When contemplating the purchase of a dwelling in a common interest development, you should consider factors beyond the attractiveness of the dwelling units themselves. Study the governing instruments and give careful thought to whether you will be able to exist happily in an atmosphere of cooperative living where the interests of the group must be taken into account as well as the interests of the individual. Remember that managing a common interest development is very much like governing a small community ... the management can serve you well, but you will have to work for its success.”
Failure to provide the statement in accordance with this subdivision shall not be deemed a violation subject to Section 10185.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 181, Sec. 9. (AB 806) Effective January 1, 2013. Operative January 1, 2014, by Sec. 86 of Ch. 181.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018