HoA Changed Management Companies

Started by ErickN • 5 replies • 1399 views

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ErickN (Illinois)
Posts: 1

Posted:

Title pretty much says it, but here are a few questions....

With this month's bill, we've been given an 'information sheet' that needs to be returned or it "may result in a violation which could lead to a fine for non-compliance." The information on the form is pretty basic (resident information, emergency contacts), but it's also asking for vehicle information and pet information.

I do not remember filling out a form like this when I purchased my townhome new under the previous management company, but being asked for vehicle and pet information is making me feel like this whole thing is turning into 'apartment living.'

Could anyone shed some light on this concept? Am I being tricked into additional fees by filling this out?

Thanks.

-- Erick

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Erik,

There is nothing being asked of you that would be harmful but it is possibly something that could really be useful to you. If your dog got out, in case of fire and you are not at home or a complaint against the dog, would you not want the dog to be safe?

Vehicles parked at night and they don't seem to belong in the developement, would you not want the authorities to know that you indeed do belong there. Security might want to know whos car belongs in a space where a strangers car might be an allert to them. Times change and HOA security is an ever more serious problem to monitor. I certainly think that you might be concerned about the wrong issue.

DanielH1 (California)
Posts: 482

Posted:

It is a little heavy handed but mostly reasonable.

Your concern might be an extra fee because you have cars or pets. This is possible in some HOAs but not common.

Lying on the form, refusing to return the form or hiding your cars/pets will probably cause a lot of hassle now and later. Like the other person says, you may end up paying fees to get your pet or car returned from the government agencies that they end up at. The HOA can also cause a lot of hassles for you with violations, hearings and such.

It may feel like 'apartment living' but it's just another organization, like the water company or the city, that you've got to deal with. Homeownership is not "Liberty City".

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Eric,

If you are concerned, polity ask them to identify why they need this information and where in the governing documents does it require the information. Explain that you are willing to provide all of the info once your questions are answered and that you are not trying to cause a fuss but you do recall this info being needed in the past and are concerned that you missed something or failed to get new information. If your letter is worded correctly and the Board and/or management company doesn't take it wrong, there should be no issues.

If the board and/or management company does take it wrong, you run the risk of being identified as a trouble maker. They shouldn't do it, but it does happen as everyone is human and has a bad day every now ant then.

Tim

BonnieE (Illinois)
Posts: 338

Posted:

Hi Eric,
I suggest you check your governing documents, specifically the rules and regulations. Ours require such info be provided to the MC under section II, owner emergency info. BTW, I am in a townhome style condo HOA in IL, and am in a similar situation. We just changed MCs and all HOs were sent a standard form along with the letter announcing the change in MC, and it is requesting the type of basic information you mention. I doubt we are in the same HOA, though, because our letter requested the info and did not state that the form needs to be returned or it "may result in a violation which could lead to a fine for non-compliance."

When I was on our BOD it was my understanding from our previous MC that this is a fairly standard procedure (at least in IL) – we requested such info from all HOs back at developer turnover which must have been back in ~1995 or 1996.

You also asked: "Am I being tricked into additional fees by filling this out?"

Unless it states there is a fee, then, IMO, there shouldn’t be one.

As stated by others, you could ask the MC to provide additional info.

Hope this helps,
Bonnie

FredB4 (Ohio)
Posts: 375

Posted:

Ohio law requires the name, phone numbers, mailing addresses etc. for ALL residents in a unit.
Our association requires number plate info. This is to determine if a car is abandoned or if we need owners to move vehicles to repair the driveway etc.not for any additional fees. In fact it save the association money in towing fees if a car has to be moved and we don't have enough information to contact the owner.
Emergency contact info is not required but it is noted that in case of an emergency the owner will be responsible for any costs associated with gaining access to their units such as a locksmith or maintenance etc.

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