How can I stop our condo association's ongoing special assessments?

Started by StephenP5 • 10 replies • 1928 views

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StephenP5 (Maryland)
Posts: 3

Posted:

I have lived in a 17 unit condo building for 3 years. Over the past 10 months we have incurred a special assessment to cover the rebuilding of our back porches to be updated to Chicago's required code. I recently found out that we are being given another special assessment to cover an overdue utility bill and several tenants are afraid that they will no longer be able to afford their assessments. I also recently found out that several unit owners are not paying their assessments at all. Is there anything that can be done to retrieve this money from the non-paying owners and also to stop the condo association board from approving ridiculous increases to monthly assessments?

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MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

So. . . . . are you spamming us?

I would not mind your inquiries if you were not then also directing us to your personal website/blog and then requesting us to "join the conversation."

Please stop spamming.

Also, why is your state listed as Massachusetts while the codes in your condo are Chicago zoning codes?

Finally, the board should be aware of the steps they need to take to recover assessments from non-payers, but if the unit owners are in bankruptcy or foreclosure, or are simply ignoring the notices, there is not anything that will quickly give the association its money. Any recovering of delinquencies takes a great deal of time (and sometimes money) to recover.

Also, if you don't want the current board approving increases to monthly assessments (and I don't think a special assessment to bring something like porches up to code should be characterized as "ridiculous," but that's just me), then you can certainly not vote them in next election and vote in board members who you feel will NOT raise assessments.

Otherwise, if they raise the assessments as allowed in your controlling documents, then there is nothing you can do.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Michelle,

You forgot to add "overdue utility bills". Apparently Steven feels that utilities are not nescessary. With delinquencies plus having such a small number of units, just a few missing payments affects the budget greatly and the money to pay the bills must come from some place. The only recourse is to raise the maintenance fees to make up the deficit.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Raising assessments to meet expenses is one thing, but Steve is also complaining about the ongoing special assessments. This leads me to believe they are lacking a reserve fund, or at least an adequate one. Aside from the members voting down the special assessments, the BOD should also be looking into a way to add funds to the reserve account. Going after the delinquencies is always a must, but at this time when there are probably more than unsual, it's even more important to have a collection policy and make certain it's enforced.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Steve is just re-posting questions from his web site to hoatalk.com They are not his questions. I wouldn't waste your time answering this post.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Mary, the only issue I have is, we really have no idea what he means by "ongoing" special assessments. I would like that clarified.

SteveM, ah. So we ARE being spammed.

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

I think I know the guy with the horns. I think it is the notorious "Spam Messenger." Next time you take this picture he will be gone.
The woman holding the bomb is Michele, and the guy is Glen, he just finished asking everyone at the table, "who wants Spam for lunch." If you look close you can see the right side of the picture has been clipped. Donna and Mary refused to have their pictures taken till they get their nails done.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Robert,

No pictures for me until my black eyes go away from my face fall

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

Donna,
Man, I had one hell of a shiner when I fell. You will be pleased to learn I am now prettier than ever. You, with two black eyes to heal just may be on the road to Hollywood. Don't forget to post from out there. They have lots of HOA issues.

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Donna, I hope you managed to stay dry last week or were at least able to tread water. My son lives in Murfreesboro, TN and his way to work was under several feet of water; fortunately he lives on top of a hill.

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Glen,

Chattanooga had a little over 3 inches. We are VERY hilly here and I am blessed to be on top of one.

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