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California · Civil Code §§4525, 4530California HOA resale documents (Civil Code §4525): what the seller provides and the 10-day rule

A California seller in a common interest development must give the buyer, as soon as practicable before transfer of title, the governing documents, the latest budget and financial disclosures, a statement of assessments, fees and unpaid amounts, unresolved violation notices, rental restrictions and – since January 1, 2026 – the latest report of the inspection under Civil Code §5551 (§4525). On the owner's written request, the association must provide the requested documents within 10 days (§4530) for a reasonable fee based on actual cost, with a written estimate first.

The rules

  1. Seller's duty (§4525(a))

    Provide the documents to the prospective purchaser as soon as practicable before transfer of title or execution of a real property sales contract.

  2. 10 days (§4530(a))

    On written request, the association provides the requested documents to the owner or an authorized recipient within 10 days of mailing or delivery of the request; delivery may be electronic and may not be withheld except for the authorized fee.

  3. Fees (§4530(b))

    A reasonable fee from the seller based on actual cost, no extra charge for electronic delivery, and a written or electronic estimate on the §4528 form before processing.

  4. Seller's own copies

    The §4528 form tells the seller they may give the buyer, at no cost, current copies of documents already in their possession and need not buy every document.

What §4525 covers

  • All governing documents, and a statement if the association is not incorporated.
  • Age restrictions with the Civil Code §51.3 statement, where they differ from that section.
  • The latest annual budget and reserve disclosures distributed under Article 7.
  • A statement of regular and special assessments, fees, unpaid assessments, fines, late charges, interest and collection costs, and approved changes not yet due.
  • Unresolved violation notices, construction defect information (§§6000, 6100), any rental prohibition, 12 months of approved board minutes if the buyer requests them, and the latest §5551 inspection report.

What the TC tracks

  • Fee estimate received and approved by the seller, then the written request and its 10-day date.
  • HOA documents delivered to the buyer before the buyer's review deadline in the purchase agreement.
  • Board minutes requested if the buyer wants them.
  • Assessments and transfer fees on the closing statement.

Questions about California HOA resale documents

How long does a California HOA have to provide resale documents?

10 days after the mailing or delivery of the owner's written request (Civil Code §4530(a)(1)).

How much can a California HOA charge for resale documents?

A reasonable fee based on the association's actual cost, with no extra charge for electronic delivery and a written estimate on the §4528 form before processing.

When must the seller give the buyer the HOA documents?

As soon as practicable before transfer of title or execution of a real property sales contract (§4525(a)).

What changed in 2026?

From January 1, 2026, the seller's package includes the report from the most recent inspection under Civil Code §5551 (SB 410).

Can the seller give the buyer their own copies?

Yes. The §4528 form states the seller may provide current copies already in their possession at no cost.

Related guides

Track the HOA document request, the 10-day date and the buyer's review deadline as tasks with owners and due dates in ClosingCode, with the documents kept in the deal.

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Source: California Civil Code §§4525 (as amended by SB 410, effective January 1, 2026), 4528 and 4530 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, read October 24, 2026).

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage.