AdamC7 (Georgia)
Posts: 3
Posts: 3
Posted:
Hi all!
I'm hoping some folks can help me decide my next move here. I'll try to make this brief. Here's the situation:
I moved into my town home in March. The HOA administrators (members?) (3 of them, to my knowledge) do not live in the complex. Each month they send an electronic HOA dues reminder. According to the official Association covenants, dues cover trash, water, landscaping, gates, parking lots, and exterior paint, among other things. Here's the problem. They will not acknowledge the things that have to be done/resolved around the complex. They ignored a very detailed email (posted below) I sent to the HOA 'accountant' four weeks ago. I did not receive a response. Of course, today I received my HOA payment due email. Based off of the information in the email I sent below, what would be the appropriate action(s) to take? Do I hire an attorney? Do I contact the Georgia HUD? What do I do if I suspect fraud/embezzlement? Do I withhold payment? I want to join the board ASAP but I'm being kept in the dark by the people who collect $9,000+/month for 60 units and these issues are not being resolved - even acknowledged. I can provide pictures or any additional information you might like to know. Any help/suggestions would truly be appreciated.
Email sent to HOA on August 30th:
---
Hi April,
I am concerned with how the association funds are being appropriated. I do not know of any action being taken to address the necessary fixes/improvements to the townhouse area. I have not been notified of a single HOA meeting.
Please respond with a timetable when the below issues will be addressed. Watching the new unit construction move along without delay and having current tenants perpetually deal with the maintenance shortcomings of the Association gives me little reassurance the Association's funds are being used in an appropriate manner.
Article IX. Maintenance Responsibilities.
"The association is responsible for all entry features to the property ... including all streets ... parking areas ... any perimeter fencing around the boundaries of the Property ..." "... all exterior portions of the units including but not limited to external materials, painting ... "
- Potholes and piles of gravel and dirt (especially in front of mailboxes) throughout the street/parking lot.
- The automatic gate has not worked for years. It is dangerous to allow non-residents to enter our parking lot at night and have vehicle access to our personal property (cars/units/items on patios/stoops).
- The early phase units are more than ten years old. To my knowledge, they have never been repainted. The unit soffits have exposed wood which will lead to wood rot if not taken care of immediately. The units need fresh paint to avoid further depreciation.
- The Association has added units/residents but has not added additional garbage facilities/services to accommodate the increase in trash. This is unsanitary and embarrassing. We have a disgusting overflow of trash multiple times per month. The garbage situation is absurd.
- What are the Association's current reserves to address the above issues? 60 X $150 = $9000/month. What are the average garbage, water, landscaping, admin costs per month and what is being done with the remaining balance? Again, these are issues that should be discussed while including owners of the properties via Association meetings.
Please see attached example images. I appreciate your time and anticipate your prompt response.
---
(I found out after I sent this email the HOA is paying a junk company to come out 4 days after weekly-scheduled garbage pick up to pick up the nasty overflow garbage. They are aware of the problems as many other owners try to contact them.)
Thanks again for your time!
-Adam
I'm hoping some folks can help me decide my next move here. I'll try to make this brief. Here's the situation:
I moved into my town home in March. The HOA administrators (members?) (3 of them, to my knowledge) do not live in the complex. Each month they send an electronic HOA dues reminder. According to the official Association covenants, dues cover trash, water, landscaping, gates, parking lots, and exterior paint, among other things. Here's the problem. They will not acknowledge the things that have to be done/resolved around the complex. They ignored a very detailed email (posted below) I sent to the HOA 'accountant' four weeks ago. I did not receive a response. Of course, today I received my HOA payment due email. Based off of the information in the email I sent below, what would be the appropriate action(s) to take? Do I hire an attorney? Do I contact the Georgia HUD? What do I do if I suspect fraud/embezzlement? Do I withhold payment? I want to join the board ASAP but I'm being kept in the dark by the people who collect $9,000+/month for 60 units and these issues are not being resolved - even acknowledged. I can provide pictures or any additional information you might like to know. Any help/suggestions would truly be appreciated.
Email sent to HOA on August 30th:
---
Hi April,
I am concerned with how the association funds are being appropriated. I do not know of any action being taken to address the necessary fixes/improvements to the townhouse area. I have not been notified of a single HOA meeting.
Please respond with a timetable when the below issues will be addressed. Watching the new unit construction move along without delay and having current tenants perpetually deal with the maintenance shortcomings of the Association gives me little reassurance the Association's funds are being used in an appropriate manner.
Article IX. Maintenance Responsibilities.
"The association is responsible for all entry features to the property ... including all streets ... parking areas ... any perimeter fencing around the boundaries of the Property ..." "... all exterior portions of the units including but not limited to external materials, painting ... "
- Potholes and piles of gravel and dirt (especially in front of mailboxes) throughout the street/parking lot.
- The automatic gate has not worked for years. It is dangerous to allow non-residents to enter our parking lot at night and have vehicle access to our personal property (cars/units/items on patios/stoops).
- The early phase units are more than ten years old. To my knowledge, they have never been repainted. The unit soffits have exposed wood which will lead to wood rot if not taken care of immediately. The units need fresh paint to avoid further depreciation.
- The Association has added units/residents but has not added additional garbage facilities/services to accommodate the increase in trash. This is unsanitary and embarrassing. We have a disgusting overflow of trash multiple times per month. The garbage situation is absurd.
- What are the Association's current reserves to address the above issues? 60 X $150 = $9000/month. What are the average garbage, water, landscaping, admin costs per month and what is being done with the remaining balance? Again, these are issues that should be discussed while including owners of the properties via Association meetings.
Please see attached example images. I appreciate your time and anticipate your prompt response.
---
(I found out after I sent this email the HOA is paying a junk company to come out 4 days after weekly-scheduled garbage pick up to pick up the nasty overflow garbage. They are aware of the problems as many other owners try to contact them.)
Thanks again for your time!
-Adam