💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

JohnM102 (Arizona)
Posts: 24
Posted:
About 16 months ago, a recently elected Board member, basically ruined a private road below his property so his pool contractor could have easier access to his back yard. Since this involved the use of heavy equipment on the road which was still waterlogged, the asphalt is crumbled, rutted and unusable. The owner never asked for permission to use the road and continued using the road after he was told to stop using it.

The private road was originally constructed by the developer to allow owners below the road access to their lots. So far none of the lots are developed but two lot owners want to begin construction but can't until the road id repaired. At the end of last year, the owner that damaged the road told the owners of the road he or the contractor would repair the road. To date, neither the contractor nor the owner have initiated any action. At our last Board meeting when the issue was raised, the Board denied any responsibility for the road and appears uninterested in doing anything. While I agree the association has no financial responsibility for the road, they are still responsible to ensure the owners of the road keep it in a usable condition.

My question is should any board members directly involved in the undermining and repair of the road continue serving on the board? I believe, at a minimum, any board members involved should be excluded from discussing this matter. I actually believe they should be removed from the board because even if prevented from participating in conversation they will still try to convince the board it isn't their responsibility to take any action. If nothing is resolved in the near future, I'll ask an attorney if I can start a suite against both the contractor and owner.

Opinions please.
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 4,420
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnM102 on 06/19/2023 12:20 PM
While I agree the association has no financial responsibility for the road, they are still responsible to ensure the owners of the road keep it in a usable condition.
The above is confusing to me. Can you please quote verbatim what the covenants say about who maintains this road?

Per chance, is there a "road maintenance agreement" for this road, signed by several (but not all) members of this HOA?
Quote:
Posted By JohnM102 on 06/19/2023 12:20 PM
My question is should any board members directly involved in the undermining and repair of the road continue serving on the board?
Arizona statutes do not require a director to resign in situations like this. The statutes do require that the director disclose the conflict of interest in an open meeting. Subsequently the director //is allowed to// lawfully vote on any decision involving the conflict. If you want citations to statute sections, ask.

Tell the forum who is responsible to maintain this road, and I will suggest who might potentially be named as defendants, and whether a derivative suit (a suit on behalf of the corporation, for injury to the corporation, initiated by an owner) is something that perhaps should be considered here.

WendyM5 (North Carolina)
Posts: 1,522
Posted:
so lets say you are successful and these Boards members get ejected. Whos' to say their replacements will be any better.

you would be better off running for the board with a buddy to replace them.

and it would likely be faster and cheaper than hiring an attourney.

suing is a poor way to start the war. remember the ballot box is mightier than the sword.

vis ta vie
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
I am also confused on who owns this road. A private road may mean HOA. The developers built it so at one point the HOA owned it. That has to be defined more for me to give advice. Many HOAs have private roads and not public. The HOA funds maintain them.

Former HOA President
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Need more info from you, JohnM.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
The reason need more information is that you may be surprised to find out the HOA is responsible for this road. If that is the case, then the HOA may have a better approach for compensation or enforcing repairs. Many HOA's have the ability to enforce corrections to violations by repairing the violation and sending the bill to the owner who is in violation. This has more teeth than a lawsuit or fines.

The process is the HOA tells the owner they are responsible for repairs/corrections. If the owner does not comply in a period of time, then the HOA can tell them the HOA will fix the issue and send them the bill. They also will NOT have any say in whom the HOA hires to do the job or at what rate. (It's the HOA job at this point). That bill will be one sent to the owner to pay. They refuse then the HOA can place a LIEN for the money owed. This means they can not sell their home till the lien is paid.

If the HOA does not want to go the LIEN route then this bill is used to show the HOA suffered damages in a lawsuit. This is the proof of damages the HOA has incurred in fixing the issue. Which can be sued for. It's an expensive option for all of this but it is the option your HOA has to enforce.

Now if the road is "privately" owned by those whom live on the street itself, then it may be their problem to fix. However, my gut says the HOA owns this road as the HOA/Developer installed it.

Former HOA President

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

  • ✓ Ask follow-up questions
  • ✓ Share your experience
  • ✓ Get expert advice
  • ✓ Access 350,000 discussions
Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here