Who Can Attend Board Meetings – Open Meeting Act
California community associations are private membership organizations, not open to the general public. Unless an association’s governing documents provide otherwise, the legal right to attend meetings as provided for in the Open Meeting Act is reserved for members only.
- Renters: Since renters are not members, they do not have a legal right to attend board meetings or annual membership meetings. However, most boards allow tenants to attend board meetings to address the board during Open Forum, provided they are not disruptive. The Company encourages boards to permit renters to attend board meetings.
- Attorneys: Industry practice is to prohibit non – members attorneys from attending board meetings or annual membership meetings.
- Real Estate Agents: Nonmember real estate agents do not have a legal right to attend board meetings. However, with the board’s permission they may attend.
- Spouses: The industry practice is to allow non-member spouses to attend board meetings. However, a misbehaving spouse can be excluded for disruptive behavior.
Disruptive attendees, despite their membership status, can be removed from meetings.
American HOA Management
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