RIGHT TO
INSPECT RECORDS
Q.
As the owner of a property management company, I often receive
requests from members of homeowner associations to inspect association
records. What are a member’s rights concerning the inspection
of association records?
A.
Under California law, a member's inspection rights are extensive.
First, the member must make a written demand which must
state the purpose of the request. The demand must be "reasonably
related to the person’s interest as a member" and the demand
must be specific. It may not be a request for a "fishing
trip."
Absent a subpoena, a member’s
inspection rights include but are not limited to:
(1)
Minutes of the board and committees except for executive session
minutes which are confidential.
(2)
Accounting books and records. This has generally been interpreted
to mean monthly financial statements, audits, accounting
reviews, copies of checks, invoices and contracts
with vendors and contractors.
(3)
List of members' names and addresses and voting rights. This
does not include the names of children or phone numbers.
Unless the association
provides a "reasonable alternative," a member may inspect and
copy the list within five days of request, or the board may provide
the member with a copy within ten days of the request subject
to payment of the reasonable cost of reproduction.
Legal invoices, legal correspondence, records of disciplinary actions, collection activities and personal records are considered confidential and may not be inspected.
