Glenbrooke News

The Governor signed AB 712 Sunday night – a new law making it clear to small claims court judges that homeowners can sue in small claims court for equitable or injunctive  relief.

AB 712 amends the Small Claims Court Act [Code of Civil Procedure 116.220] making it clear that the court has the authority to order the association comply the laws on records and elections.    
          1)Establishes small claims court in order to resolve minor 
            civil disputes expeditiously, inexpensively, and fairly.  
            (Code of Civil Procedure Section 116.110 et seq.  All further 
            statutory references are to that code unless otherwise 
            stated.

2)        Provides that the monetary jurisdiction for natural persons 
            in small claims court for a single claim is $7,500.  The 
            jurisdictional limit for all other entities, except as 
            specified, is $5,000.  Provides that in any small claims 
            action seeking money damages, the court may grant equitable 
            relief in the form of recision, restitution, reformation and 
            specific performance, in lieu of, or in addition to, money 
            damages.  (Sections 116.210-116.221.)  

3)       Provides that a member of a common interest development 
            association may bring an action for declaratory or equitable 
            relief for failure to comply with laws regarding elections 
            and meetings of the association.  Provides for a civil 
            penalty of up to $500 for each violation.  Provides that 
            certain of these actions may be brought in small claims court 
            if the amount of the demand does not exceed the small claims 
            court jurisdictional limits.  (Civil Code Section 1363.09.) 

4)       Provides that a common interest development association must 
            make specified records available to its members to inspect 
            and copy.  Provides that a member may bring an action to 
            enforce this right.  Provides for a civil penalty of up to 
            $500 for each violation.  Provides that an action to enforce 
            this right may be brought in small claims court if the amount 
            of the demand does not exceed the small claims court 
            jurisdictional limits.  (Civil Code Section 1365.2.) 

From the Analysis of the bill:          

COMMENTS :  This non-controversial bill clarifies that when 
          statutes have independently provided small claims court with 
          authority to grant equitable relief, the small claims court 
          does indeed have that authority.  According to the author:  
          "This bill would provide a necessary fix to ensure consistency 
          and clarity between the Small Claims Act and statutes 
          independently authorizing the small claims court to provide 
          injunctive or equitable relief."