Business
Rising condo costs squeeze California homeowners
A $26,000-per-unit roof assessment at a San Clemente complex illustrates growing pressure from aging buildings, insurance costs and state-required safety work.
California condominium owners are increasingly facing steep monthly dues and special assessments as buildings age and insurance and repair costs rise, the Los Angeles Times reported October 2. At the 198-unit Vilamoura at Rancho San Clemente, homeowners recently received a $26,000-per-unit emergency assessment to replace the complex's roofs.
What it means locally
Some Vilamoura residents say the work should have been anticipated and paid for through reserve funds, and they are seeking to recall the homeowners association board and repeal the assessment. An attorney for the association told the Times that an independent report found the roofs were no longer watertight and warned that continued leaks could cause major interior damage; he acknowledged the work should have been planned in prior years. Experts said five-figure assessments are becoming more common as California HOAs confront aging structures, higher insurance premiums and state-required balcony inspections. The accompanying photograph is an archival aerial view of San Clemente and San Onofre taken in January 2026; it does not show Vilamoura or any resident mentioned in the report.
Full report and further details: Read original report →