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SharonB6 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 70
Posted:
I need some help! Our development is in a mess. Our Builder declared bankruptcy 2 years ago and might just climb out of it soon. To make a LONG story short we have discovered some questionable checks in the Master Association Account that is still administered by the Builder.

I have all the proof. It shows that the builder took out an insurance policy for $7000 for the property about 8 months before the HOA was formed and about 9 months before the first house was built. Anyway 1.5 years later the builder reimbursed themselves out of the Master Association for this policy. Now just for FYI.. it clearly states without question that at the end of each year if the Association has a shortfall of fund for the bills the Declarant will be responsible. ALSO I found out that our current insurance bill is based on the Homes in the development and now it only costs around 3000!!

So do you think the builder had the right to reimburse themselves for that insurance check? We feel that the insurance was a building expense not an HOA bill. In my opinion the max amount they could reimburse themselves for was from any dues the collect during that particular year. which was net to nothing because only a handful of homes had been closed that point.. What makes it even more fishy is the time they reimbursed themselves is when they were struggling to stay in business.

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219
Posted:
Hi Sharon:

Need clarification and further information please.

When was the association formed?
When you state Master Association are there other sub-associations underneath?
Do homeowners control any sub-associations?
Condo or Single Family homes?
How many units are still under developer control vs. homeowner control?
What does your documents state regarding period of developer control?

It almost sounds per your statements as if possibly the $7,000 policy was in essence builder insurance which was due and payable before the association was formed and homes built. This would potentially be his personal company insurance and not HOA insurance.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Isn't the HOA under the developer's control at the time? Then the HOA money is their money. A HOA is ONLY funded by it's members FOR it's members. If the developer still in control then the money in that account is part of their business. They collect the membership dues as part of the requirements to be an HOA. Members pay to be in the HOA. Until that HOA is OWNER controlled, that money is controlled by the developer.

Maybe I am not seeing the issue here. Was this an insurance claim or an insurance policy? A developer would need a policy in place prior to buiding the homes and then another one when completing the homes. The amount may change due to what is covered. If this was an insurance claim, then what was it for?

Sounds like good news the developer is getting out of bankruptsy. Why try to bring them down? Once they get on their feet again, they will turn the HOA over to the owners and get out. They won't be a worry anymore.

Former HOA President
SharonB6 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 70
Posted:
When was the association formed?

the Master Association was formed in late 2006

When you state Master Association are there other sub-associations underneath?
Do homeowners control any sub-associations?

Yes there are a few sub associations and only one is controlled by the homeowners. I am the president of this association.

Condo or Single Family homes?

Single Family

How many units are still under developer control vs. homeowner control?

There are 150 homes built. There are still 540 still to go.. We are all under the Master. 76 homes are in the sub-association I am in.

What does your documents state regarding period of developer control?

We need 75 percent to turn over the master

It almost sounds per your statements as if possibly the $7,000 policy was in essence builder insurance which was due and payable before the association was formed and homes built. This would potentially be his personal company insurance and not HOA insurance.

yes it seems like a builder expense to me. not an HOA expense.

SharonB6 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 70
Posted:
Isn't the HOA under the developer's control at the time? Then the HOA money is their money. A HOA is ONLY funded by it's members FOR it's members. If the developer still in control then the money in that account is part of their business. They collect the membership dues as part of the requirements to be an HOA. Members pay to be in the HOA. Until that HOA is OWNER controlled, that money is controlled by the developer.

Please note we are not trying to stop them in anyway from coming back to develop. It isn't in our interest for them to stay in bankruptcy.
However, there is a HUGE back story about the mismanagement of the funds. As to my understanding the HOA is a separate and distinct entity from the builder. The money is not to be co-mingled. So when they went bankrupt, the HOA was not bankrupted. They are accountable for every penny they spend.
JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219
Posted:
Hi Sharon:

I was hoping your state statutes were similar to mine … yeah!!! Now your group may need to get together and hire an attorney to potentially get control of the association. However, it could be possible depending on your Final Plat, etc. I would check with your local planning department and see what they state with regards to being able to add new units/lots to any of the association. In my association new lots could not be added … therefore, two years after any development right to add new units the declarant control terminates. Your state statutes have a similar statement.

Here is a link for your state statutes:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/68/68.HTM

Below is the following statute:

Β§ 5303. Executive board members and officers.

(c) Status during period of declarant control.--
(1) Subject to subsection (d), the declaration may provide for a period of declarant control of the association during which a declarant or persons designated by the declarant may appoint and remove the officers and members of the executive board.
(2) Any period of declarant control extends from the date of the first conveyance of a unit to a person other than a declarant for a period of not more than:
(i) seven years in the case of a flexible planned community containing convertible real estate or to which additional real estate may be added; and
(ii) five years in the case of any other planned community.
(3) Regardless of the period provided in the declaration, a period of declarant control terminates no later than the earlier of:
(i) sixty days after conveyance of 75% of the units which may be created to unit owners other than a declarant;
(ii) two years after all declarants have ceased to offer units for sale in the ordinary course of business; or
(iii) two years after any development right to add new units was last exercised.

Now a β€œunit” in the definitions is defined as the following, and in a single family subdivision the item which describes boundaries is in essence the approved Final Plat for the lots:

"Unit." A physical portion of the planned community designated for separate ownership or occupancy, the boundaries of which are described pursuant to section 5205(5) (relating to contents of declaration; all planned communities) and a portion of which may be designated by the declaration as part of the controlled facilities.

Β§ 5205. Contents of declaration; all planned communities.

(5) A statement of the maximum number of units that may be created by the subdivision or conversion of units owned by the declarant pursuant to section 5215 (relating to subdivision or conversion of units).

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