> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# BY MICHAEL CHULAK Real estate investments a better bet than the market
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/by-michael-chulak-real-estate-investments-a-better-bet-than-the-market/
- Published: 2006-07-26T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:24:10.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*The handyman snag*

QUESTION: Is it possible for our homeowners’ association to hold its annual election by mail?

ANSWER: Unless your bylaws prohibit your association from holding its election by mail, you may do so.

QUESTION: When a homeowners’ association is required to obtain legal advice in order to respond to a member of the association, can it charge the member for the attorney’s fees?

ANSWER: No. A homeowners’ association is entitled to recover its attorney’s fees from a member only when it prevails in a court proceeding or arbitration, usually in connection with the enforcement of the governing documents of the association.

QUESTION: Are handymen required to have a contractor’s license?

ANSWER: It depends. Work on a project for which the combined value of labor, materials and all other items on one or more contracts are less than $500, does not require a contractor’s license. However, work which is part of a larger project, whether undertaken by the same or different contractors, may not be divided into amounts less than $500 in an attempt to meet the $500 exemption. Also, unlicensed handymen must provide the purchaser with a written disclosure stating that they are unlicensed by the Contractors State License Board, or the $500 exemption does not apply.

QUESTION: What is the penalty for contracting without a license when one is required?

ANSWER: Contracting without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $15,000\. (Michael T. Chulak is the founder of Michael T. Chulak & Associates, a Law Corporation, based in Agoura Hills. Questions can be sent by e-mail to Answers are general in nature. An attorney should always be consulted when legal advice is needed. For more information visit these two Web sites: www.MTCLaw.com and www.HOAqanda.com. Chulak also schedules free legal seminars throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties. To look for a legal seminar closest to you, visit www.LegalSeminars.net.)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 26, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/072606.pdf?ref=smdp.com)