Saturday, November 24, 2012

Property managers' responsibility to HOA and Condo Association boards


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Property managers' responsibility to HOA and Condo Association boards

  
  
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property managersMy question is about community property managers. How much guidance must a community property manager give a condo association or HOA board? If the property manager knows that something should or shouldn't be done by the board, does that manager have a duty to speak up. Even if the specific subject is not mentioned in the management contract?
For instance, let's say that the property manager sees that a board member is going to do something risky or something that would violate the governing documents, should or does the manager have a duty to speak out and inform the board member of the situation?  And, along the same lines, if a board member asks for the assistance of a community property manager to violate a governing document provision, does the manager have the duty to refuse to participate in the action?

Comments

The property manager is responsible to the Board of Directors and it is from this body that he gets his guidance. His responsibility is the managment of the physical assets in the building. In this regard he is expected to advise the Board when situations of unusual maintenance requirements surface. He has no riole in advuising the Board about violations of bylaws or procedures. These are matters of policy and as an employee he has no perogative to get involved.
Posted @ Wednesday, September 08, 2010 8:06 AM by Charles Adler
Community association managers can be employees of the association itself or, employees of a management company hired by the board. There are cases where the community manager's services are provided as an independent contractor. No matter the status of this manager, manager is supposed to follow directions from the board not all the way around. However, in too many instances inexperienced boards rely solely on manager's advice. This is wrong. It is highly recommended that managers document their concerns in writing either via email to the board or, a memo. To protect themselves, managers should not go beyond the scope of their contract nor offer legal advice.
Posted @ Wednesday, September 08, 2010 8:58 AM by Susana Murray
Exactly correct
Posted @ Wednesday, September 08, 2010 9:23 AM by Charles Adler
I thought the Property Manager is supposed to go by the bylaws and sois the board. If the HOA makes a mistake, I believe it is the duty of other HOA members & the property manager to bring that to their attention. If the HOA wants to then still go against the bylaws, then they will but a good honest property manager will at least know she did her part to help them go by the bylaws. Why in the world would bylaws even be made if the board goes against them without anyone on the board or the property manager bringing this to their attention. I believe every honest person would bring it to the attention of the HOA and if they want her gone because of it, at least she will know she is not doing something illegal or against the bylaws to others. I personally experience my HOA president & the property manager not knowing the history of the condos we live in and having things replaced that should not have been replaced and still under guarantee where the manufacturer should have been called rather than replacing the items at our cost. Our board even hired an inexperienced contractor who made about 60% of the project defective and the contractor wasn't insured. Isn't it the Property Managers responsibility to make sure the contractor has insurance and is experienced with a good reputation. Can't a claim be put in to the Condo's insurance company for a wrong decision made by the President of the HOA without who didn't bother to find out anything and neither did the property manager. Is there a place to complain about these things happening. I do not know if the HOA president knew or just didn't put the condo owners first. This was only done to four condo owners out of 86 and they changed a roof still under guarantee and about 35 skylights that are defective without insulation or ice shield and some look like there is the residue from milk inside the two panes of glass that certainly are no longer sealed. Is it the responsibility of the property manager to know the history of the condo she is managing or can she just do whatever is okayed by an inexperienced HOA since most of our board members are appointed and not voted in. Please don't say go to meeting because we did and throw the president off the board and got a replacement who the board threw off because she visited a relative overseas and was only available by phone, email and text messages for a few weeks. Almost our whole board is appointed because the honest ones leave. You would never believe what goes on here and many have moved because of it as I was ready to move also until the HOA put defective items in my condo and I won't sell it in this manner, so if anyone can advise me, Charles, please do. I love how well informed you are.  
Posted @ Wednesday, September 08, 2010 11:49 AM by Eve
"If the property manager knows that something should or shouldn't be done by the board, does that manager have a duty to speak up." Are you kidding? If a property manager, or any individual has information it should be shared. Simple. Did you ever hear of integrity? No matter who she works for the property manager has an ethical obligation to speak up LOUD & CLEAR.
Posted @ Wednesday, September 08, 2010 10:56 PM by Michael E Katz
The property manager is responsible to the Board of Direxctors and that office does not have a perogative to get involved with policy decisions. The primary duty of the property manager is to manage the daily business of the condominium. This mission again, involves no role in policy decisions nor advising the board about such matters. 
 
Questions such as you pose are best referred to your condominium lawyer if the Board lacks the understanding to base their decision upon. 
 
Further as a member of the assembly at a Board Meeting it is your perogative to raise a point of order when you believe a rule or the bylaws or even your state condominium act are being subverted.The Board must allow you to make your point.
Posted @ Thursday, September 09, 2010 7:39 AM by Charles Adler
Let me chime in as a manager - one that is certified by the national organization Community Associations Institute. 
 
The manager has a responsibility and duty to the community. It does not matter if they are a portfolio manager with a management company, an independent contractor or an employee; the contract or employment is with the community. 
 
The board should be utilizing the manager for advice as well as implementation of tasks assigned by the board. As any contractor or employee, the manager will need to determine if they will participate in unethical behavior or direction. They can refuse (and be fired or lose the account), but another option is to clearly put in writing the issue and present it to the whole board. Managers should not be doing anything that is not covered in the management agreement that is not in the best interest of the community unless directed so by the board as a legal board action. If one member asks something, the manager can defer by stating "that item needs a board vote/approval." They may even want to kindly explain why it is not ethical or why it is problematic. 
 
The manager is not an expert in everything. They are often not an accountant, engineer, architect or licensed attorney. Their advice and input should be prefaced with this and the manager should be directing the board to the appropriate expert. 
 
I disagree that the manager should not be involved in policy decisions. The manager must often implement those decisions and deal with the consequences of those decisions. The decision is the board of directors, which they are elected to make those decisions. The manager should assist by educating, informing, assisting in research and in pointing the board in the direction to make reasonable and informed decisions. Their experience should be presented in making a decision.  
 
For example, a community has an individual with a medical condition and requests to have a parking space assigned to them that is closer to their unit than their garage. They have documentation from medical professionals, have been licensed as handicapped/disabled by their state. The board is unsure of what to do and divided on the issue. What should the manager do? 
 
They should advise the board to review this with their attorney and in fact, ask their attorney to bring in legal counsel conversant in disabilities and the legal ramifications. They should also discuss this with their insurance agent and see the potential liabilities involved for the community. 
 
If the manager stayed silent, the board and the community would not be served. 
 
The manager should not make policy. The manager should present to the board when an issue may need a policy decision or assist the board when the decision they make is not in the best interest of the community from a legal, moral, ethical and financial standpoint. They may think they are making the best decision for the community, but may not have all the relevant information. 
 
Anytime something is against or prohibited by the documents, the manager has a duty to remind the board of their duties and point out the potential problem or conflict and relevant section of the documents and in most cases, recommend that the association's legal counsel review. Remember, the documents are not the only source. Maybe they are outdated. Maybe state statutes have made that portion irrelavent or inapplicable.  
 
The board is elected to manage and administer the affairs of the Association, and they depend on professional and knowledgable people to assist them in performing this task.
Posted @ Thursday, September 09, 2010 8:04 AM by Joe Schuirmann
I sdo not agree, If the Board is in need of help on a policy decision they should consult their association lawyer. The Property manager is not qualified to serve as an alternate in policy matters.
Posted @ Thursday, September 09, 2010 8:27 AM by Charles Adler
Joe Schuirmann is correct. The manager has a responsibility to tell what he knows. The Board should hear the advice and decide whether to go further--engineer, attorney, contractor, architect. But the manager must guide and educate. "not my job" is a cynical slackers response.
Posted @ Thursday, September 09, 2010 5:51 PM by michael e katz
Strongly disagree with your statement.
Posted @ Thursday, September 09, 2010 6:41 PM by Charles Adler
Your strong disagreement is noted.
Posted @ Thursday, September 09, 2010 8:49 PM by michael e katz
Our property manager is only allowed to do what the Board tells them to do. Therefore, we had the city where we live cite the Board (about 30 code violations) because nothing was getting fixed. We still have a mold issue and we still have leaking storage lockers. Now mold is in the lobby and they all know about it.  
 
 
 
The Property Management people aren't allowed to pay a bill over 750 without board approval. 
 
 
 
Today I reviewed our Master Policy - at least what the Board determined I could see and dumped at my front door. Won't go into that now.  
 
 
 
I'm amazed. Our Board has also indemnified the Property Management Company from everything. We are also covering two cars and up to 25 employees on our Master Policy. Do all Master Policies cover this? This company is a mom and pop operation.  
 
 
 
In addition, the policy states that we are a Frame Building, but we are almost completely Brick.  
 
 
 
Am I crazy to think there is not a problem here. No wonder they won't let us into the office to review the full Master Insurance Policy file. No wonder our insurance dropped about 10,000 when they changed companies. 
 
 
 
Any suggestions on how to handle this with a Board who has provided me with their attorney name and a Property Manager who has also provided me with their attorney name. 
 
 
 
Am I misreading something here?  
 
 
 
Thanks for your opinions. I talked to the Attorney Generals office and they sent me a book on Sunshine Law but I don't think that covers us. We are in Missouri.  
 
 
 
Thanks for everyones help.  
 
Posted @ Saturday, September 18, 2010 10:20 PM by maryann
Step 1 read your bylaws: step 2 get copy of your state;s condiminium act abnd read it. In most bstates a condominium must hire a licensed management company to assist in managing the property. What does your state law say?? If a license is required does your present management company have it and are they insuredand bonded as your state law may also require. I haved never heard of a condo association payhing for employees car insurance or other personal expenses. Have you considered impeaching your present board??
Posted @ Sunday, September 19, 2010 9:54 AM by Charles Adler
Charles and everyone - thanks again for your response. Missouri doesn't require property managers to be certified. I have to check on bonding. I checked that out with CAI.  
 
Went to the insurance companies office the other day, not the guy that sold us the policy, but the actual Master Policy company has it's regional office about 4 blocks from where we live. They gave us a copy of the Declaration Page - which the Board neglected to give us when they dropped off several hundred pages.  
 
Went thru everything again one more time this weekend. Today I re-read again, By Laws, Rules Regs and Indentures. There's no question - the Board must give us access to review all these business documents. They picked out what they wanted and dropped off the info at my front door. So they are breaking the law. It will just cost us hiring an attorney to actually get a look at what we are entitled to. We know the law. They know they can stall.  
 
No matter what, the Board has the final say in everything - we can protest, have a hearing, but they make the final decisions, even if not in the best interest of maintaining the building.  
 
And per By Laws, the only way we can contest anything is if it is a legal/statutory or code issue. They control everything. Shame on us for letting this happen.  
 
The Master Insurance Policy reflects we are a Frame building. The Dept. of Revenue individual owners records reflect this building as Brick. The original plans submitted by the builder show Brick and Frame. If you look at our building, the decks are wood and the bay windows have siding on them. That's about it for framing. The rest is a brick veneer from what I can tell.  
 
The County Assessor's office appraiser pulled their original file from 1987 at the time the original builder documents were being done and they have brick written on their documents.  
 
That's where we are today.  
 
Also, because the Board has refused to allow us access to see the business records related to this insurance policy - we have held them each personally liable in our correspondence. Just got an email that one of the Board members resigned - of course we were the only ones that he didn't notify.  
 
Mold is now growing in our front lobby. There are no laws against mold growing anywhere.  
 
We are very lucky that the city we live in is working with us to get this cleaned up - but they can only do so much.  
 
Thanks again for comments and just plain old listening.
Posted @ Monday, September 20, 2010 3:16 PM by maryann
Click on http://www.moga.state.mo.us/STATUTES/C448.HTM 
 
 
 
A downkload copy of your state's version of the condominium act.
Posted @ Monday, September 20, 2010 4:06 PM by Charles Adler
Thanks - know it be heart almost. Bottom line - cost of an attorney. Just got an email from someone here saying the Secretary had resigned due to the fact that the president was making unilateral decision.
Posted @ Monday, September 20, 2010 4:09 PM by maryann
Does your state law characterize the Board meeting as a deliberative assembly??? That term means the the meeting must allow for open discussion on any agenda item and that a majority vote of those in attendance is required for adoptiopn. This applies to waiving reading os previous meetings minutes, adopting the agenda etc. All action with very few exceptions must be approved by a majority vote of the assembly (meaning those in attendance)
Posted @ Monday, September 20, 2010 4:26 PM by Charles Adler
we are an association of 88 members. I am the Board Secretary. I have requested from Management and our president for copies of our Documents, managers contract, etc. since March, thru e-mails,phone and in person.It is always excuses. So, needless to say, I still have not recieved them. In fact no Board member has recieved them. Just now, in our Board meeting, we were told by the manager that he is in complete charge of our assoc. We realize the president has final say in decisions, but I would think final say would be that
Posted @ Thursday, September 23, 2010 6:24 PM by Thelma Brymer
(didn't finish last blog) the president would discuss with the Board first, before the final say. In essence, the manager and president are actually running the assoc. I have purchased many Books, read many articles, spent much money.I don't read where this is correct. please advise. thanks
Posted @ Thursday, September 23, 2010 6:35 PM by Thelma Brymer
It is amazing that you have not been supplied with the paperwork you request. But, when you bought into the association didn;t you get copies of the docs and by-laws from the seller?  
 
Even if you are a pest the office should be giving you what you ask for.
Posted @ Thursday, September 23, 2010 6:46 PM by michael e katz
Does anyone else's property management company contract reflect that your Association (therefore you as owners) will indemnify their property management company/employees for almost everything they could possibly do wrong. And pay the insurance for two cars and 25 employees?  
 
Is this the norm?
Posted @ Friday, September 24, 2010 10:12 AM by maryann
If your board members are personally benefiting from this weird insuance coverage you might advise them you will notify the IRS. That benefit is income to them and I doubt very much that they reported it as such. Might shake up your board members, 
 
You should also check your state condo act to find if a managementn company,such as you hired in Florida, is required to hold a state license and liability insurance of their own.
Posted @ Friday, September 24, 2010 4:32 PM by Charles Adler
Michael, thanks for your reply.Yes we did recieve CC&Rs, but manager will not give the Board, copies of his contract and others. How is this Board to know what his duties consist of, since he advised us that he is in complete control. All records are to be available for the community to see, and especially the Board to have copies available We feel there is something not right, by the way I love this site. Thanks for any and all replys.
Posted @ Friday, September 24, 2010 7:48 PM by Thelma
A Q. above asks about indemnification of the Property Manager. 
Almost all contracts call for indemnification, but nothing prevents the Directors from crossing out the offending clause. The Property Management Company should have its own insurance. However, the Directors might indemnify for the deductable when there are false allegations, errors not intentional, and for immature, unsophisticated owners who would sue at the drop of a hat.
Posted @ Saturday, September 25, 2010 7:14 AM by michael e katz
I may have misread your earlier post. If your property manager and other management employees are in actuality employees oof the management company your condominium association should not be providing insurance coverage for them. I doubt that your insurance company would pay a claim for another companues employees. I have never heard of such an arrangement. As to the claim by your manager,"That I am in complete control"-Who hired hiom and who hired your management company. Strongly suggest you fire both immediatel.
Posted @ Saturday, September 25, 2010 8:07 AM by Charles Adler
Mr.Adler is absolutely correct. If you have a management company it is their own insurance that covers them. However, if you do not have a Property Management Company then your D&O should cover your manager as well as the Directors. Call your insurance broker to verify.
Posted @ Saturday, September 25, 2010 9:54 AM by michael e katz
As for the manager who declares that she is in "complete charge" she should be corrected. Her authority devolves from the directors and the documents. She may wish to operate without the tiresome interference of owners (or meddlesome directors) but ultimately she answers to the directors who, in turn, answer to the owners.
Posted @ Saturday, September 25, 2010 9:59 AM by michael e katz
Michael - are you in STL - if so, you were at our meeting a year or two ago - same old stuff going on. Amazing. Our insurance agent is an old buddy of one of the Board Members - nothing was bid out when they changed insurance companies.  
 
Charles - I know you keep referring us to the Condo Stats - but the only way we know how to deal with this is thru an attorney - the Board has ignored the Stats.
Posted @ Saturday, September 25, 2010 10:04 AM by maryann
Mary Ann: STL ? I love to puzzle out acronyms, but this is one that goes past me.  
 
Still The Lover? 
Sooner Than Later? 
Smiling Through Lunch?  
 
mike
Posted @ Saturday, September 25, 2010 10:29 AM by michael e katz
No, not me.
Posted @ Saturday, September 25, 2010 11:44 AM by maryann
I'm secretary/treasurer of a very small HOA - 7 units. 
 
I've been handling the Insurance via a reputable broker for 15 yrs.From time to time we've had to change Insurers and my broker and I review the entire contract - we reveiw annually regardless, in order to make sure we are properly covered due to market changes. Going thru that currently. Many policies also do commercial businesses - so things pertinent to covering 'employees and vehicles' are in the initial contract. We delete when we can - usually not a huge savings. Sometimes the insurance company won't delete the verbage, but they don't charge us either. 
 
Our Broker makes sure every owner gets a copy of the Master Policy with all specs. This is required by the owners internal insurance company and their mortgage company. Mold may be a tricky issue depending on your area and insurance company. We are in a wetter NW climate. A few years ago the insurance companies ammended policies to state mold was not covered for any reason. Mold is terribly damaging - I would think your HOA would fix and then pursue insurance - I've seen it in private homes - mold in one area and in weeks it can be in walls carpets etc - so a small fix becomes a major ! expensive job.  
 
Maybe a health dept. issue?
Posted @ Wednesday, September 29, 2010 5:22 PM by Sue
Indemnification: Of course directors and officers are indemnified. Property manager should be also as some claims against them are completely without merit. In those cases why shouldn't the Property Manager be protected. Too many owners think that their personal reading of the docs are the final and only interpretation and they file suit.  
I wouldn't work or serve as Director or officer for any company, not for profit, or condo that would not indemnify me. Anyone who would is careless to say the least.  
Criminal acts are not covered.
Posted @ Wednesday, October 06, 2010 11:59 PM by Michael E Katz
Have you downloaded a copy of your states condominium act?? In most states in their condominium act it prohibits suyuits against the property manager. That individual is responsible to the board and if you have a complaint it is the board whom you take action against. Further,in most states Directors and Covenants Committee members are held harmless for their actions unless they violate the states condominium act.
Posted @ Thursday, October 07, 2010 7:29 AM by Charles Adler
After asking for copies of certain documents,since March, I am just now recieving the Landscaping and managers contract. What are your thoughts with this after reading the managers contract, as of this instant, the Board only has 6 weeks to cancel his contract or it will continue on for another year. This Board will not be meeting again, as we have our annual meeting with the association, Nov. 9th. So you see there is no time for 2 Board members to replace this manager, as the president and manager have already advised that they are in complete control. Our hands are tied. I find it very questionable that the manager and president would wait until the end of our term to give us his copy of contract. (I suppose they think we were born just this morning). Please, is there someone who can advise on what, if any action we can quickly do with this?
Posted @ Thursday, October 07, 2010 9:01 AM by Thelma
The Prtesident of the Board is not the final decision maker. A mjority vote of the unit owners is the sole final decision maker.No building manager should be involved with policy issues or interpretation of bylawsd. He reports to the Board and hiis job is not involved with policy matters. Those are tyhe domain of the owners and the Board exclusively.
Posted @ Thursday, October 07, 2010 11:06 AM by Charles Adler
RE reporting to the IRS. I talked to the IRS agent the other day. Based upon the wording they can't "impute" income to the property manager where our insurance covers the management company for 2 cars and 25 employees. I was passed along to a superior at the IRS and we went over every detail. Good idea. 
 
The IRS agent suggested we file a complaint with the Attorney Generals office and the first part of the complaint should state that we feel the Board has hired an attorney that we feel has a conflict of interest in representing the Board because he worked in the Attorney Generals office recently. 
 
In terms of getting the master insurance policy information and all business records relating to it - we will be including this in the complaint, three different incidents, we still have not been allowed to review the business records relating to the policy - originally there was a huge issue of whether the policy was handled legally, signatures, gaps between policies, etc. My own agent met with me the other day and is beyond himself - he can't believe what the Board and Property Manager who referred me back to the Board has done to us. He told me if the Agent who handles the Master Policy doesn't respond to him, he will file a complaint with the Division of Insurance in Missouri.  
 
Our water leaking problems are still going on. You'll all love this. The Board finally agreed with each other to bring in a "structural engineer" to do a walk around. Guess they didn't like the answer they received in terms of how to fix the water leaks. Just heard they are having an architect come look at it instead. It's like the 5+ attorneys the Board themselves has gone thru - they don't like the answer so they find someone else to sob to....  
 
There's a great book called "The Abusive Relationship" by Patricia Evans. It certainly exemplifies what we are all dealing with and has some really good ideas on how to handle these controlling crazy makers, wherever we run into them in life.  
 
Personally, I think now that I want to leave our Board in power. We seem to be running the Agenda by involving the City - which they have to answer to. No one wants any legal liability and there are certainly many things here that are not on the up and up - what comes around goes around. One rape or accident with them having ignored security issues and I doubt they'll have much support from their D & O insurance when the emails and documents are brought out in the open.
Posted @ Thursday, October 07, 2010 11:12 AM by maryann
In what state is your condominium located?
Posted @ Thursday, October 07, 2010 11:37 AM by Charles Adler
Very true- but if the Board keeps everything a secret and they only relay what they want us to hear in the minutes - no one really knows what's happening. I discovered that for several years we were sometimes several thousand dollars behind on monthly receipts from several owners - at one point 12,000+ with only 21 owners in total - and every month the minutes stated we were in good financial shape. No one ever checked. We all just believed in what the Board told us. No more. Mid year this year the financials reflect we were over budget - but no one gets that information. The monthly minutes stated we were fine. Suddenly they decided to tell us this month that we were over budget. Preparing us probably for an increase. But it's been that way for months. Shame on owners for not standing up and being more involved.
Posted @ Thursday, October 07, 2010 3:01 PM by Mary
Second request. In what state are you located??
Posted @ Thursday, October 07, 2010 3:45 PM by Charles Adler
Hi - can anyone tell me - we asked that several items be placed on the Board Agenda for next weeks meeting. All relevent to our water/mold issues and what more will be done this year - they just brought in an "engineer" who is about 80, doesn't have email and is having the Board rip up boards on a 20,000 project that was just completed - he thinks it was done wrong (and the company is out of business 2 months later). The Board keeps hiring bad people to handle these water/mold issues.  
 
The President said first replied to this request stating "Your email is adequate for the items to be added to the agenda for the board meeting being held on October 18."  
 
Then she sent me another email later last night stating: "You list has not been review...at a glance some items will probably be tabled". 
 
The 3rd Board member resigned recently since the President is making Unilateral decisions. After talking to him yesterday - it appears the 2nd Board member is covering up so for the President so noone knows there are issues on the Board.  
 
Of course, most of us know would like to be rid of both of them. 
 
Question is -  
 
1. What are the rules about Agenda items being placed on the minutes? 
 
2. Can the President choose only what she wants to discuss? 
 
3. Can owners come to the meeting and "talk/discuss" these items?  
 
4. Or, are these items to be brought up - the President tells us what she wants to tell us, and nothing is open for discussion?  
 
I think I have been able to rally about 6 owners to come to this Board meeting and we need to understand what legally we can say or rights have have at Board meetings. I know if they have a legal issue or want to discuss an "individual issue" we can't be there. 
 
I will re-read Roberts Rules of Order as that is basically how we have tried to handle the annual meetings.  
 
Thanks for ideas. We live in Missouri and totally know our rights. Still haven't been allowed access to our business records in the office after multiple requests to the Board - almost three months later. Hate to spend that much money on a retainer for an attorney. 
 
Thanks so much.
Posted @ Wednesday, October 13, 2010 2:42 PM by maryann
Roberts Rules The Board meeting is a deliberative assembly and as such the assembly (persons presnt at the meeting) have the right eto engage in discussions leading to a vote to adopt the ajenda. The Board may suggest and agenda but the assembly has the right to add to or subtract from or offer additions to that proposed agenda. A simple majority vote of the assembly is required to adopt the agenda. meetings?? 
 
There are severaol versions of Roberts one can find so I suggest you use the latest-RONRR Roberts Orders Newly revised edition 2010. 
 
Your problem is how you can force the President to follow these rules.One approach is to use the pre emptive "point of order", Under Roberts such a point is raised when a member of the associations stands and advises the Chair he wishes to make a point of order. The Chair mkust recognize this member who then states what rule be believes is being violated. The Chair mjust rule on the issue and if the ruling is not accepted the member may appeal the chair's rule.The there must be discussion at the end of which the assembly votes and simple majority rules. 
 
What do your bylaws say about impeachment?? That coukld be another route to try.
Posted @ Wednesday, October 13, 2010 4:11 PM by Charles Adler
Another suggestion. Download a copy of the Missouri Condominium Property Act. I think you'll find very pertinent portions which will force the President to adopt a more democratic approach inrunning the board and it's meetings. Majny states have consumer protection offices in eacyh countty who adjudicate complaints from unit owners against their Boards. If not call your state's Attorney General-many have ombundsmen who serve the same purpose.
Posted @ Wednesday, October 13, 2010 4:20 PM by Charles Adler
Thanks. We can impeach - and it was discussed yesterday. I emailed the insurance company today and let them know we have three people willing to go onto the Board now but not if they have no D & O - this policy reflects an endorsement that "these" Board members are to be considered "employees" and are not covered for any criminal acts - even though they have D & O. They omitted some major things when they acquired the policy and the endorsement apparently was added. I don't know that they even know it. The guy that just quit didn't.  
 
I think it is in the best interest of the insurance company to help us because if something happens we are going to be in big trouble and I'm sure they won't want to pay out. They are aware of the situation as I went to them finally as I couldn't get the Declaration page from the Board.  
 
Two of the three Board members would have to be impeached. We will sit down with the 3rd one on Friday - he is only temp until the December meeting.  
 
I have two Roberts books - one is the new one. I knew them cold at the last Board meeting - but the President doesn't go by them and the past meetings have been awful.  
 
Maybe the first thing to do is vote that we use them so everyone is on the same page. Am sure the President won't agree to any of this. And she yells at everyone. 
 
We need a Board who understands that this is an asset and a business per se. The management company needs to be gone along with their friends and family - we are an annuity to them. Every contract needs to be bid out - the management company has followed Board rules and nothing is good here. Too many good people looking for work.  
 
We are getting there. Slow and surely.  
 
I may bring an attorney with me on Monday who knows the rules better than I do - but I hate to come in and set the tone like that. Then the President will scream that the Board now has to waste "our money" defending themselves. And they do spend it. We are a deep pocket apparently. He also specializes in not for profits which we are.  
 
Best to you all.
Posted @ Wednesday, October 13, 2010 4:30 PM by maryann
We have the form to fill in for the Attorney General's office. The insurance company will also get a copy of the complaint. Am working on it now. Will download the statutes to take with us on Monday - thanks again.
Posted @ Wednesday, October 13, 2010 4:35 PM by maryann
This thread has been very interesting for me and scary since we are on the brink of getting a management company. 
 
I'm the small HOA with 7 owners. 
 
We are on the verge finally of getting a managment company. No one is interested in affairs- until money is brought up which is finally now. Our siding is literally falling off the building and owners even after I've had contractors out to speak at our meetings etc- 4 owners still refuse an assessment - putting all owners in danger of a water breach. We require a 5 vote majority. 
 
Up to 1998 - our condo was mismanaged and had old owners take off with funds too. I've been doing 12 years - managed to get 2 new roofs done took most money left in our funds- so an assessment is a must. Loans are out since 2 owners are chronically late paying dues too risky.  
 
Here's the connection of the two. 
 
I researched, checked references, interviewed etc and after months came up with an awesome company. One owner who is now selling - brought in a company the day of the meeting so no way to even check. I have reservations about the pick. Bossy, will tell us what to do etc were comments made - and no access to our bank account which will switch over to their bank. Only 9 months in business too. Promised the world at the metting and swayed the usual 4 owners who are in denial. This same owner, who brought in this company - real estate agent also tryed to make we sign a Re-Sale Certificate he'd prepared , stating we have no assessments. True, not set up officially yet, but I've been trying for years and is documented in all reports/ meeting notes etc.. The Re-sale Certificate is part of WA law to protect people buying into the condo. I couldn't with any integrity sign it. Found out later from my Managment pick the real wauy to write up and realtor was way out of line. Now tie in the 'abusive and control issues' and you have a owner who 'beats up' several owners ( one of the 4 group) who just 'glaze over' talking about business many times badger them until they vote with 'the controlling owner' - this happened again must voteand one vote is in question but looks like this 9 month old comapany may get in despite serious objections of 3 of us who are business savy..After a week of email discussion - we finally agreed to a re-vote.  
 
Any help or suggestions about picking the managment comapny I can use will be very welcome!! 
 
Now so far - solid experience, excellent consumer reviews, great price,control over our funds and our own personal web site etc was not good enough for the 4 and they picked the new company - which will cost us $100 more a month and has less to offer. I think there's a lot of - he's a man and I'm not - going on. I don't care about that but sadly it really seems to work around here. I still want to protect all of our investments and stay professional.  
 
Thanks again for any suggestion!
Posted @ Saturday, October 16, 2010 1:56 AM by Susan
First download your states condominium act. look for any requirement related to management companies. Some states mandate that a condominium employ a licensed contractor to assist in manageing the association. Then check the credentials of the company you refer to, If they are not licensed and insured (liability insurance) don't get involved with them. For an association as small as yours there is excellent software you can use to manage all your affairs. Out "CAFM" into your browser and read all about this possibility.
Posted @ Saturday, October 16, 2010 8:05 AM by Charles Adler
I've read more than I want to even tell you about management companies, HOA's, condo boards and master insurance policies. It is the scariest information I have ever seen. We just had our by-laws updated. There are no tricks here. But to be perfectly honest, as we found out, the Board you pick controls virtually everything including what the property manager tells them should be done. However, our property manager picks the cheapest way to go on every aspect. She just had two decks torn out, membranes replace after 22 years. The company bellied up about 2 weeks later. Now we have a leak still in one of these two lockers and she hired a retired engineer who is so lame he couldn't understand anything.  
 
Condos are ANNUITIES for owners that don't get involved. Our property manager hires her family.  
 
Be very, very careful. 
 
USE YOUR municipality building codes to get some of your work done. Walk in, show them pictures. They don't want your place falling down. After you ask nicely several times for "normal" repairs which save money in the long run, go to the city. 
 
The articles I have been reading recently reflect where owners take the Boards to court- but they are so well indemnified along with the property management companies - I didn't see one article where an owner didn't win, but at costs so high in legal fees that they had to sell their condos.  
 
We are working to gather a "tea party" per se of owners before the annual meeting. If we don't have agreement with the owners as to who wants to take a new board forward we are "SO" doomed.  
 
Our by-laws, declaration, and MO state condo act all back us- but the associations lawyer represents the Board as the bottom line, not the owners.  
 
Good luck. Keep records and take pictures of every incident with a date stamp. It's the only thing that has worked here.
Posted @ Saturday, October 16, 2010 8:34 AM by maryann
Have you reviewed your state condominium act?
Posted @ Saturday, October 16, 2010 9:00 AM by Charles Adler
Can a property manager give her personal opinion of a home owner to a renter which helped the renter in filling a false police report which was then then used to get a restrainting order which was threw out of court?
Posted @ Friday, September 07, 2012 9:14 AM by Jerry. Wendell Halcomb
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