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DennisG7 (Georgia)
Posts: 155
Posted:
A couple of months ago our HOA hired a new management company to take over operations. I have been surprised at some of their responses to my correspondence and want to get your thoughts. The management company has been in operation for many years and services a number of HOA's and POA's in the area. I recently sent an email to the HOA BOD asking a question and got a one-sentence response back to send my question to the Management company. In a followup email, I was told that the new management company will respond to all questions. I was also told that all the email addresses for the BOD and HOA officers had been deleted and there was no way to make contact with them. I thought that was odd and asked if the BOD sees and responds to member questions. I was told that the property manager and support staff will handle all questions. Is this typical?
Another issue came up when I asked to see a copy of the contract between the HOA BOD and the management company. I was told it was confidential and not available. Since I've seen the contracts the HOA had with two previous management companies I found this response odd.
Finally, for the past 20 years since we were organized, the Income and Expense reports have been posted online on a regular basis. One can go back many years and look at the I/E reports, budgets, etc. Now nothing is available for viewing. The annual budget has not been posted, the I/E reports, etc, are not to be found.
These types of documents have always been available and now NOTHING is available. Any thoughts? The state does have guidelines on the types of documents that should be available for HOA members to view but citing state law/regulations to see expenses seem a bit much. I'd appreciate your input.
DennisG7
AugustinD
Posts: 5,144
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DennisG7 on 09/25/2020 2:16 PM
A couple of months ago our HOA hired a new management company to take over operations. I have been surprised at some of their responses to my correspondence and want to get your thoughts. The management company has been in operation for many years and services a number of HOA's and POA's in the area. I recently sent an email to the HOA BOD asking a question and got a one-sentence response back to send my question to the Management company. In a followup email, I was told that the new management company will respond to all questions. I was also told that all the email addresses for the BOD and HOA officers had been deleted and there was no way to make contact with them. I thought that was odd and asked if the BOD sees and responds to member questions. I was told that the property manager and support staff will handle all questions. Is this typical?
I would say it is advisable for most of the queries from HOA members. The board is unpaid. Management can handle many members' queries.

Quote:
Posted By GenoS on 09/25/2020 2:12 PM

Another issue came up when I asked to see a copy of the contract between the HOA BOD and the management company. I was told it was confidential and not available.
This is common these days. I think all or nearly all cities have placed restrictions on members of the public viewing contracts. The legal thought process behind this is that the sharing of contracts diminishes a company's competitive advantage and is unfair. It is a big topic. What you are legally allowed to see when it comes to your HOA's contracts will require a review of Georgia law.
Quote:
Posted By GenoS on 09/25/2020 2:12 PM

Finally, for the past 20 years since we were organized, the Income and Expense reports have been posted online on a regular basis. One can go back many years and look at the I/E reports, budgets, etc. Now nothing is available for viewing. The annual budget has not been posted, the I/E reports, etc, are not to be found.
These types of documents have always been available and now NOTHING is available. Any thoughts? The state does have guidelines on the types of documents that should be available for HOA members to view but citing state law/regulations to see expenses seem a bit much.
The only issue is whether the Board has the right not to put financial documents on a web site. It does. But you are correct that you may make a formal request pursuant to your state's corporation statute and HOA/condo statute, and the board is legally obliged to let you view the documents.

Some HOAs put the docs on a web site. Some do not. I would not make a fuss over anything that is legal. If you want more transparency when it comes to the financial records, run for the board with a like-minded majority.
JohnC77 (California)
Posts: 562
Posted:
Your issue should be with the Board and NOT the management company.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnC77 on 09/25/2020 2:47 PM
Your issue should be with the Board and NOT the management company.

I agree. The MC works for and operates as the BOD directs them. One of the reasons for hiring a MC is to let them play the "heavy".
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Our 200+ condo high rise has an full-time onsite PM. All inquiries go to her and not to us directors. If Owners want items on th board's agenda they submit the item to the Board via the PM. I do think this is very common.

In CA, all approved & signed contracts may be reviewed by owners upon their written request to, in your case, the PM.

We now out all financials on the website but aren't required to. If like CA, you may request them in writing from your PM. Finacials about Owners' delinquencies aren't available to owners.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
All communication from our owners goes to an association Email address and it automatically gets distributed to all BOD Members only. Our MC makes no decisions and publishes nothing to our members unless we ask them to. The only time an owner speaks to our MC is about dues billing issues. Our BOD was elected to manage our HOA not our MC.

Our MC handles billing, collection, payments, and acts as the heavy for violation notices.

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