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LoriW2 (North Carolina)
Posts: 1
Posted:
I recently asked for and received an expenditure report for the past 3 years. Most of it I agree with, however there were 3 very big expenses, that I had requested additional paperwork on, not once but twice, no has yet to provide me with what I ask for. Is there someplace I can lodge a complaint against my HOA? Also they are providing street lights for some but not others? I would like to get some advice on how I can proceed.
BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By LoriW2 on 07/22/2011 6:32 AM
I recently asked for and received an expenditure report for the past 3 years. Most of it I agree with, however there were 3 very big expenses, that I had requested additional paperwork on, not once but twice, no has yet to provide me with what I ask for. Is there someplace I can lodge a complaint against my HOA? Also they are providing street lights for some but not others? I would like to get some advice on how I can proceed.

Your statement sounds vague to me. What do you mean by "very big expenses?" Do you mean large dollar amounts? Or, do you mean large percentages of the entire annual budget?

Also, what was the general description given to these very big expenses? For example, the three biggest line items in our budget are snow removal, landscaping, and lawn care. I don't need more breakdown of these line items. I don't need to know how much was spent on clearing snow from roadways, diveways, sidewalks, parking areas, separately. I don't need to know how much was spent on cutting the grass, fertilizer, applying fertilizer, leaf removal, applying fungicide, applying pesticide, applying weed preventer, etc. That's called micromanagement. It all has to be done anyway.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
How do you know every owner wants a street light installed? Some people don't like those things. Our city is responsible for distributing our street lights. Believe me I am thankful mine isn't close to my house. I live in a 2 story and that light would be glowing in my windows all night. I am sure others feel the same way if they don't want a light.

Big expenditures like Bruce said, don't come with great details. They are usually such HUGE separate projects on their own, that providing all those details are just irrelevant. Too late now as the projects are already done.

If you don't like what your BOD is doing...Run for a position or get involved. Decisions look easy from the outside but from the inside view it's a completely different story. Not sure what your trying to prove or looking for by digging up the bones of the past. 3 years ago is so 3 years ago in a HOA...

Former HOA President
SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202
Posted:
What exactly do you want to know?

Large expenditures were motioned to be spent, so look for minutes that show when this was approved OR it could be part of a reserve fund expenditure.

Please explain what it is that you are asking for.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Lori,

What are you looking for or what initiated your request? I think that probably one of the most written questions that come here are from people who do not understand what expenses a HOA actually is responsible for. Was the dues that you pay the reason that you requested an explaination of the money spent? Or are you looking at something specific? Boards have a responsibility to have an accepted Budget to the members, annually. It is at that time that the owners should review and question those expenses.

Not sure what part of N. Carolina that you live in but this has been a horriffic year for nature related expenses and repairs.
BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535
Posted:
Melissa,

We agree completely. So many people are so concerned with the details, but don't bother to get involved.

Now, if I saw a line item that was labeled "miscellanous" that was 50% of the budget, I probably would get concerned.

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