Wood Shingles on building

If you're concerned check with the local Fire Marshal to see if application of retardant is required, another place to check is with the master insurance carrier. But understand if you do, do not be surprised if your assessments go up drastically to pay for opening that particular can of worms and if it is an emergency the 5% limit for special assessments may not apply.

In what way?

Unless the board decided not to treat the shingles, in which case the reserve study wouldn't include it.

But why would any of that rule out your calling the Fire Marshall and asking the "legality" of whether or not the shingles MUST be treated?

It appears that this issue is very important to you.

In the years that you've lived in your development, you've no doubt met and made friends or acquaintances with a good number of your [apathetic] neighbors.

If so, then it would be worth your while to focus that passion and energy into herding those cats, I mean, organizing like-minded neighbors, to petition the board to investigate the application of fire retardants on the shingles.

Keep in mind, the management company isn't necessarily in this for the "power" or "control" of your HOA. Most likely it's for the purpose of job security so that they can rely on the annual fees.

Now, keep in mind, when you threaten someone else's income, they can get very testy, and, at best, push back. Which I'm quite sure you're already aware.

But, if you know your documents thoroughly, and you know the process for petitioning for various action, then if you have the appropriate number of association members supporting the petition, the management company and the board pretty much have to follow the documents.

It would be when they fail to do so that you get hold of the "attorney."

However, don't jump the gun, take it one step at a time, and the first step for you is to round up the appropriate number of concerned neighbors to affect the change.

Hope this helps.

Almost, the reserve study tells the BOD how much they need to save to repair or replace X. It is then up to the BOD to accomplish this not the person who generated the reserve study which are updated typically every 3-4 years. To determine how healthy your reserves are, divide the amount of money actually in your reserves by the amount that should be in the account. For example, if on year 5 you have $25,000 instead of the $50,000 called for by your reserve study, you are only 50% funded. If your reserves are in the 0-30% funding range, you can expect frequent and significant special assessments. Associations in the 70-100% funding range are considered financially strong, and special assessments should be rare.

I requested a copy of our new reserve study which was just completed. Thanks for the advice.
Linda