Recommendations for GOOD Property Mgt Company in Los Angeles

Started by SamE1 • 12 replies • 2051 views

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SamE1 (California)
Posts: 32

Posted:

We are currently with LB Property Management company and have had a lot of issues and serious concerns. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good company that will help us manage our 20 unit condo complex? We need a company that is strong on their knowledge of HOA law (i.e., Davis Stirling), is comfortable disagreeing w/ Board members when necessary to present a better alternative, can help reduce costs in a meaningful way, recommends vendors they do not own nor have an incentive with (LB owns CPS -- a contracting company they tend to use a lot for repairs etc. therefore having an incentive to charge properties the highest costs rather than fulfilling their fiduciary duty to help keep costs down w/ competitive bids...).

It would be great to have a company that creates a website for our building so that we can post Board decisions, get more owners involved and up to date on issues, post minutes to meetings etc.

Any/all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Your issue isn't getting a management company...It is learning to manage yourselves FIRST. Letting a Management company run the show for you just creates more problems. The MC should be doing what the BOARD tells them to do NOT the other way around. Anyone can volunteer to create a webpage if they ask the board if they can. Overall it just sounds like typical HOA problems that only you the owners can resolve amongst yourselves by educating and learning your rules. I'd suggest some work shops and reviewing sections of your rules at a time until you all can get on the same page with those interested in participating.

Former HOA President

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Former HOA President

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

You might also take a look at the website for the Community Association Institute - www.caionline.org. This is a national organization of homeowner associations and the vendors who serve them. the site has information on how to select a property management company. Some of it's free, some you'll have to pay a fee (which is less if you join).

Melissa's right in that your board needs to first determine what it wants the property manager to do, otherwise, it won't really matter who you hire. You might want to start by taking inventory of the issues you have and rank them in order of severity, with the major problems on top. Get a copy of your contract and review it carefully to see what the company's supposed to do, compared to what it has or hasn't done. Take a poll among the homeowners also to see what they like and don't like about the company.

Then, have a sit down with the property manager and let them know what your problems are and what you expect them to do to resolve them. Give them a deadline and if things haven't improved by that time, you'll need to begin making plans to give them the heave ho. In the meantime, you may want to check with other HOAs in your area to see who they use and interview all of them to see what they can do and what the costs will be.

If you do get rid of the old company, talk with the Association attorney about what you need to do to ensure a smooth transition, so records don't get lost, stolen, altered - and that you get ALL records.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Sam stated: "We need a company that is strong on their knowledge of HOA law (i.e., Davis Stirling), is comfortable disagreeing w/ Board members when necessary to present a better alternative, can help reduce costs in a meaningful way, recommends vendors they do not own nor have an incentive with (LB owns CPS -- a contracting company they tend to use a lot for repairs etc. therefore having an incentive to charge properties the highest costs rather than fulfilling their fiduciary duty to help keep costs down w/competitive bids...)."

Sam, you have a worthy goal! A good managing agent should be sufficiently knowledgeable and competent to provide all of these services. It is a shame that many management companies, of those with which I am aware, do not meet these criteria. If your current MC owns a vendor they have conflict of interest and should be terminated. I would talk to other HOAs in your area and pick out the three highest recommended MCs to interview.

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

I agree with the advice from others: talk with directors at other similar-size HOAs about their recommendations. Directors from other HOAs have contacted me for referrals and I was happy to talk with them. They'd contact our onsite PM, who'd let me know how to reach these other directors.

Meantime, go to davis-sterling.com, Main Index, and look up anything that concerns you, e.g., Manager. This site is really valuable.

RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 1,767

Posted:

FYI..the website is www.davis-stirling.com

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

Oh, thanks for the correction, Richard!

DavidA7 (California)
Posts: 179

Posted:

We are in San Fernando area and have an 8 unit complex. We use H.O.A Management Company out of Glendale. http://www.hoamanagement.biz/
(818) 240-6515, ext 26

Inform them David from MacDuff Terrace recommended you talk to them.

If you do go with them make sure Terri is your rep she is really good and responsive.

Now as far as Davis-Sterling you will need to talk to them about that. They follow our instructions not vice-versa.

We have had 4 management companies in past 8 years and so far so good with them for previous 2 years. No plans on changing.

We pay I think $240 a month for 8 units.

NOTE: I don't work for them or advertise their service I'm just informing who we use and are happy with.

David

SamE1 (California)
Posts: 32

Posted:

Thanks - greatly appreciate the recommendation! I will get in contact with them.

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

Sam & David, davis-stirling.com is set up by HOA attorneys and contains information about topics ranging from explaining the Davis-Stirling legislation, to open meetings, to what should be in contracts and on and on. It has an excellent resource. It's helped me learn a great deal about my service a a board member.

It is not a management company.

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