Question:
It has recently come to my attention that our condominium is in financial peril. Shame on me for not paying closer attention. Our indoor pool has been closed since 2020. We are promised over and over again that it will be repaired. We have had a special assessment to cover roof repair instead of the pool.
We have zero dollars in our capital reserve account. We have been a community since 1972 and have 268 units. There was also a lot of careless spending which has not improved our quality of life. Cameras that cost over 40 thousand dollars. They have been aimed at the garbage to catch people putting items in the dumpsters. They don’t catch anything in the dark so they are useless. Thirty three percent of our dues
go to payroll. We don’t have a website that display all of the documents we are legally entitled to see.
I did some research and discovered a management company would average about $39 a month. As homeowners we are paying $60 per month just on payroll. We also own trucks and a bobcat. These are expensive to maintain.
The association has quit paying for sewage back ups and the damage it does to our homes. As homeowners we are expected to pay for the service and collect the money from our neighbors. I personally had to take out extra insurance to cover any damage. These policies have a $2000 deductible. I guess being in the lower unit I am expected to pay more to live here than those in an upper unit.
The cost of door replacement is covered in our documents. I personally had me. to pay $850 to have mine replaced and they refuse to pay. I am convinced when Board Members met they decided they couldn’t afford the expenses so they decided to throw it to the homeowners. My building had a bedbug issue and they didn’t think it was their responsibility so they did nothing. They spread to three other unit which had to be between the walls. That is there responsibility. But nothing seems to be their responsibility except to over pay our top notch staff. They are not top by any means, I have lived here 30 years and I know what was covered.
We need a management company and I would like to make that happen. I am setting up a meeting with the President and I would like to inform him that they just can’t say we are no longer paying for sewage, anything between the the walls and the Association does have responsibility to manage for the benefit of the homeowners. They no longer pay for water and our common area insurance, They just don’t know how to explain it.
Thank you.
– Kathi
Answer:
Hi Kathi,
Kindly check the governing documents to see what maintenance requirements the association has. If the association’s documents clearly state they must pay for sewage backups, pest control (bed bugs), insurance, and the cost of door replacements, you may raise these with the board. The same goes for how much the association must maintain in the reserve account. If the board refuses to comply with the governing documents, you may opt for dispute resolution or remove the problem board member(s). The bylaws should indicate how to remove board members.
If you need a management company to help pay for better upkeep, you can find one through our online directory: https://www.hoamanagement.com/
Disclaimer: We are not lawyers. The information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice.
