collection problem

Owner sold units in our POA. Bookeeper told escrow company no fees were past due, there were $2,500 in back fees. Escrow closed, owner is caring loan for new owner (our President by the way). Old owner says she doesn't owe. What can we do to collect?

Pretty big mistake. One may wonder what other mistakes the bookkeeper is making......... Trust, but verify.

Thanks for your responses, we are digging into this one. Bookeeper has put it in writing, past president knew about this for 16 months before he told me and other board members, (after escrow closed). Current president and past are friends and support each others positions on all board matters. If I can prove deception and I get both off the board forever?

This is a mistake most likely. Something easily over looked because HOA board members are NOT experts. They are just people who's only requirement to be on the board is to be a member and voted in by the membership. Plus the new BOD inherits the mistakes of the prior. Alot of time things can get overlooked. I can see how this is overlooked without intention. The bookkeeper may have known about the issue but without instruction to take action, nothing happened.

If you want to get rid of them forever, just don't ever vote for them ever again. It's too late to get this money as the new owner isn't responsible. Just make sure you have better record keeping and enforce the rules.

Larry...that is good thought, even if it isn't specified you could take the previous owner to small claims court and at least try...