Home Owners Association

Ah yes, the much needed HOA, but at time very misunderstood... I think sometimes within the HOA itself!

I'm currently in a community that is battling with our HOA, stemming from the very high assessment they want to impose upon us due to the roofing project. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. I suppose at time assessments are inevitable, BUT this one began a couple years ago when the board decided to go against the CC&R and take it upon themselves to repair all damage under the roof coverings. They defend themselves on this by reinterpreting the phrase "roof coverings". Funny though that the same resolution goes on to state that once the roofing project is done, they are no longer responsible for the any structures whats so ever.

So the battle begins.

I won't go into the whole history that has gotten us here, but will instead focus on the current state of affairs, of which there are some very annoying side things going on.

One side item is the fact that the board continues to be stuck up on allowing the community to come to their office and copy the records and documents that we want to see. The board holds strong to the fact that we can make an appointment and view the materials, and take all the notes we want, but they cannot be copied unless they first OK it.

This is ludicrous!

State law says that any such records can be viewed and copied... period!

Then there's the expenditure of money by the HOA, even though they tell us that they're trying to watch expenses. For instance, they contract out to a person the task of mailing and tracking the ballots once the voting time arrives for the special assessment, to the tune of $3,400!!! This was also done by volunteers in the past, but they say that since there is now distrust in the community towards the board that this is necessary.

Then the HOA attorney composes and mails out to all the members of the community an 8 page letter describing the HOA's position in all this. Now how many thousands of dollars do you think this cost? There's no reason why the general manager couldn't have written up something and sent it out. Isn't that what we're paying her for?

Also there's the matter of the HOA office charging all of us in the community the cost of copying some of the documents that the newly formed roofing committee have asked for. Again, don't they have an entire office full of board members, not to mention paid staff who's job it is to do these things? Aren't we already paying people for such work? Now we have to pay them AGAIN?

I believe that the HOA has gotten out of the control. Not really sure though if it's really the board's fault as I think the general manager has everyone wrapped around her little finger, including the lawyer who is present at almost all the meetings, even though he is not needed. Just what salary is he raking in just to sit there? But hey, who can blame him? If I was making the dough he's making and then was asked to attend meetings where I can just sit there and not really do anything, but bring in the high hourly pay, I'd be crazy NOT to do it.

Should be interesting to see how this all plays out.