CliffinAZ
Posts:405
 | | 09/30/2007 4:47 PM |
 Alert | When I had posted in this forum about the lack of lighting at the VRED main entrance at night--and the obvious safety hazard this constitutes for anyone who lives here or buys in here--a response I got was that there is no money to do anything because 30% of HOA dues are delinquent. The obvious unstated other part of this is that our HOA actually has no mechanism in place for dealing effectively with these delinquencies!!!
This is a serious, serious, issue that puts several things in jeopardy for anyone living here:
1) HOA fees are likely to skyrocket for the rest of us who ARE responsible in our payments, due to the lack of funding
2) I think that there could be all sorts of resulting liens, etc. for our HOA not paying bills on time--especially as more and more people realize that there aren't consequences for delinquent fees (obviously there aren't any consequences that are strong enough to prevent delinquencies). I don't even want to think about the disastrous outcomes of that.
This makes me realize that I need to start attending the HOA meetings. I cannot understand for the life of me why our HOA does not have anything in place to deal with delinquent payments (e.g., hiring a collection firm to deal with delinquent payments--isn't that what other HOAs do?). Just how is our HOA run??? I've never heard of this happening anywhere else. In this respect our HOA gets an "F" in fulfulling what I would consider to be one of its primary responsbilities towards those of us who do pay our dues--and SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than sending people notices for failing to pull weeds, given what it could lead to. The potential outcomes here should be scary to anyone who has invested in a property here, and a call for action to deal with a major shortcoming of our HOA.
Does anyone else know what courses of action I/we have available, other than attending the meetings, to address this serious problem? E.g., does the HOA have a legal obligation/commitment towards homeowners here? Is anyone else as worried and outraged by it as I am? | | | |
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Copa Conscious
Posts:379
| | 10/01/2007 7:31 AM |
Alert | This should be item #1 on the agenda at every meeting. Discretionary spending should be halted until delinquencies are under 3%.
Maybe the board will get on this, if we take away their spending money. | | | |
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CliffinAZ
Posts:405
| | 10/01/2007 8:25 AM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Copa Conscious on 10/01/2007 7:31 AM
This should be item #1 on the agenda at every meeting. Discretionary spending should be halted until delinquencies are under 3%.
Maybe the board will get on this, if we take away their spending money.</div>
I'm in complete agreement with you here. In fact, I was wondering what our options as homeowners are. The HOA obviously hasn't obviosuly hasn't been taking this issue seriously enough to make whatever choices are necessary for effective resolution, if they've allowed it to get to this point. So it seemingly falls to US to deal with a situation that jeopardizes us in a number of ways as homeowners in VRED. I'm wondering if there is a legal recourse here? I know this sounds dramatic and is probably a major pain to initiate, but I'm willing to do it if there's any basis for it, given how serious and potentially damaging I feel that this problem is to us.
A problem (from another thread) seems to be that the HOA is pointing their fingers at the management company, and the management company says it's not their responsibility, so nobody steps up to the plate to do anything except point fingers, and the homeowners suffer. What is the relationship between the HOA and the management company? Are they independent and equal? Does the HOA hire/pay for the management company? If the latter is true, then it is ultimately the HOA's responsibility to make sure the management company is doing what they need to do or fire them for putting all homeowners in jeopardy through inaction. | | | |
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CliffinAZ
Posts:405
| | 10/01/2007 11:26 AM |
Alert | I was told to look on the VRED website to see what's currently being done about this. Here's what's been posted:
1) What's being done to reduce delinquent accounts?
Following our established Fine & Collection policy and adhering to provisions in our documents is what is currently being done. This includes late fees, demand letters and fees, filing a lien, sending the account to our attorneys for collections and any subsequent action (with additional fees) by them. This isn't like a private business where payment is expected when services / products are rendered. This is a non-profit corporation of members (homeowners) who are paying assessments related to Association expenses.
The other action the Board takes is to suspend gate access cards for all delinquent accounts. I can't give you hard numbers, but it did generate payments from several delinquent owners; some after tenants complained to the owners that unless assessments were paid, they couldn't use the amenities.
2) Have AAM or Board members make phone calls to delinquent owners
AAM makes their own policies so I cannot answer for them. We can ask AAM for further clarification or input regarding their collection efforts / policies. Board members will not be making phone calls to delinquent owners. Compiling a phone list alone would take days and we are not the proper people to make deals or establish payment plans with individual owners.
<i> </i>
I stand corrected; it does seem that a number of actions are being taken, according to (1). I also found out that it's primarily the HOA's responsibility to deal with this. Given the steps that are taken, including liens and a collection agency, I'm surprised that the delinquency rate is as high as it is... | | | |
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Copa Conscious
Posts:379
| | 10/01/2007 12:19 PM |
Alert | I think the next newsletter should have EVERY address on it and if they are current in dues or are delinquent and how much dollars.
Maybe some shame will shake the losers into paying up.
It would be nice to know if the neighbors aren't paying up. | | | |
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CliffinAZ
Posts:405
| | 10/01/2007 12:39 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Copa Conscious on 10/01/2007 12:19 PM
I think the next newsletter should have EVERY address on it and if they are current in dues or are delinquent and how much dollars.
Maybe some shame will shake the losers into paying up.
It would be nice to know if the neighbors aren't paying up.</div>
Great idea! I just made my online payment today. <img src='http://www.85239.com/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/wink.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Wink' align='absmiddle'> | | | |
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robinlynn
Posts:134
| | 10/01/2007 4:33 PM |
Alert | | Not that it helps but just to let you know, Alterra has the exact same problem and I'll wager the other HOA's do also! We heard that for ours(Alterra) they couldn't afford to pay a collection agency to collect the delinquent accts. It's really a vicious cycle. Please let me know if you guys find a way to correct this!<img src='http://www.85239.com/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/smile.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Smile' align='absmiddle'> | | | |
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Copa Conscious
Posts:379
| | 10/02/2007 7:43 AM |
Alert | | I'll do collections. I'll take 20% commission for every dollar I get the deadbeats to pay up. | | | |
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NY2Copa
Posts:130
| | 10/02/2007 8:43 PM |
Alert | | What a mess! Has anyone noticed the lake? The HOA decided not to fix the fountains, but the lake is covered by a gross film. This cannot be good. We cannot be breeding mosquitos and bacteria in that lake. It HAS to be maintained. As for the delinquincies, I'm for whatever needs to be done to bring delinquincies up to date. I don't want to hear sob stories about people who can't pay .... this is my home and my community and I don't want it ruined. Orbitel is another issue ... it's a major reason we're in such trouble. We HAVE to re-visit that laughable contract we inherited and re-vamp it. If we don't get paid, neither should Orbitel and the non-payers should have no TV!!!!! Yeeeesh! This is not brain surgery! I'm sorry people, but I'm mad about all this. | | | |
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NY2Copa
Posts:130
| | 10/02/2007 8:45 PM |
Alert | | Oh and Copa Conscious .... I'd gladly vote to get u 20% if you can do the collections and actually collect. | | | |
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JAG
Posts:528
| | 10/02/2007 11:52 PM |
Alert | | In somestates they can force a Forclosure on a home for lack of HOA fees paid. Not pretty. | | | |
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Copa Conscious
Posts:379
| | 10/03/2007 8:13 AM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By NY2Copa on 10/02/2007 8:45 PM
Oh and Copa Conscious .... I'd gladly vote to get u 20% if you can do the collections and actually collect.</div>
I have no problem standing in someone's front yard, with a blow horn, screaming PAY UP DEADBEAT.
And why aren't these people having their cable turned off? They aren't paying! Cut them losers off! | | | |
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kab28az@yahoo.com
Posts:0
| | 10/03/2007 1:37 PM |
Alert | Your HOA board should be working with a management company.
The management company generally speaking is the one patrolling for problems such as weeds in the front yard, trash can not properly stored, excessive cars in front of your home, etc.
The management company should also be tracking what homeowner is or isn't paying the HOA fees.
Depending on the rules/CCNRs, etc There is probably a notification process where people are sent reminders of pay due amounts.
After a certain number of those gentle reminders are sent, then generally a nastier version is sent stressing that non-payment could result in a lien and/or legal action being taken.
I would encourage you to find out who the management company is for RED, and contact them directly to find out what their governing rules are.
Please note, that unless you are on the board, I do not believe you can request a copy of who has liens or bills outstanding. I believe that information is confidential to protect residents.
Our managment company provides that information to the HOA Board during our closed session/Executive Session.
Hope this helps.
Kimberly (HOA BOARD Cobblestone Farms) | | | |
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Copa Conscious
Posts:379
| | 10/03/2007 2:34 PM |
Alert | Thanks for the info Kimberly.
I have been a resident of VRED for over 2 years and have yet to attend a Board Meeting. These issues with deadbeats and signs and landscaping have got to stop.
I will be attending every meeting from now on, to give my opinions. They brought it on themselves. | | | |
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umtech
Posts:143
| | 10/06/2007 4:28 AM |
Alert | | The big problem is that the board is afraid to come out and really step up to the plate and do anything about it. They love DLC and AAM and will not budge on forcing them to do a darn thing! HOA fee's, expect them to go up 20% this year and also a nice % next year. The only way to stop this is we have to get enough homeowners to petition to remove the board and elect a board that will put the screws to AAM and seriously look at cutting costs. They said they have looked at costs for landscaping, yet where is the proposal they looked at for homeowners to review? There are so many other things going on its pathetic, they are going to run us into the ground and we will end up in receivership if we don't stop this now! If you have not been to a meeting, your not going to be impressed, You have to fill out a slip to get a chance to talk to them and then your limited to 2 mins!! Really I have no problem starting the petition, but homeowners need to also step up and we need a majority to get them removed, get a new board elected and start some serious savings before its too late. There is no way that AAM will do any type of collections (their word from the board meeting, its not there job) for the 38% delinquent rate we have, that should be there job, we are paying them either 2.5k a year or 5K a year for collections its buried in the budget on the amount, there are 2 area's that list it. As for the icing on the cake, at the budget committee last month we were not able to pay operating costs for the month to the tune of 50k! there was only $800 in the account! Guess where the money is coming from? the reserves. There is so much more to this I can't say right now. I just really hope the board ticks the crap out of the homeowners and there is a revolt. I never heard of taking a cut in income and not lowering your costs! They really are putting the screws to us IMHO. | | | |
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Copa Conscious
Posts:379
| | 10/07/2007 8:00 AM |
Alert | Where do I sign?
Should the petition go door to door or maybe set up a table outside the next board meeting? | | | |
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MaricopaRes
Posts:29
| | 10/08/2007 7:43 AM |
Alert | | The board elections were held on September 12 -- less than one month ago. If you guys think that changes are so important, why didn't you run for the board or at least find candidate(s) to run that you are happy with? | | | |
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Copa Conscious
Posts:379
| | 10/08/2007 12:36 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By MaricopaRes on 10/08/2007 7:43 AM
The board elections were held on September 12 -- less than one month ago. If you guys think that changes are so important, why didn't you run for the board or at least find candidate(s) to run that you are happy with? </div>
Because, I just heard about the delinquency issue and AAM/board doing nothing about it. | | | |
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twostep23
Posts:1688
| | 10/08/2007 1:00 PM |
Alert | | How do you know that the board isn't doing anything about it? Your next door neighbor could have a lien on their house because of past dues and you wouldn't even know it. There is a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that can not be discussed unfortunately due to privacy issues. | |
Senior Member
Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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Copa Conscious
Posts:379
| | 10/08/2007 1:13 PM |
Alert | When MY money pays for the delinquent losers shortfall, its not private anymore.
IT IS MY BUSINESS. They are paying or they aren't. Seeing as we are all part of HOA, we should know. | | | |
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