A group of Arizona citizens are gathering at the capitol every month to force a conversation on the legal powers and lack of oversight and regulation of homeowners associations throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Arizona Sen. David Farnsworth (R) on the third Monday of every months hosts what he has coined, a “mastermind group” allowing everyday residents, community advocates and legal professionals to look at how certain powers granted to HOAs by the Arizona Legislature can be reined in.
“What we are we working on is to benefit the public,” said Scottsdale resident Jill Schweitzer in an Aug. 2 phone interview.
“So the public can see there is a reason behind this and there is a reason behind that — there are homeowners who don’t even know there is a problem. We are really passionate about seeing the laws changed to protect homeowners.”
Ms. Schweitzer, who has penned a book on HOA issues and produced videos on local issues impacting homeowners that can be viewed at www.hoasavers.com, says the mastermind group is looking to reinstate homestead protections for homeowners within HOA communities.
The Arizona Homestead Exemption — which, according to state statute, works in place of federal property exemptions — protects up to $150,000 of a person’s equity in his or her dwelling from attachment, execution or forced sale. Read more: