I am getting really annoyed by our condo association. They do not clean our hallways and the carpeting needs to be replaced. I wrote to the manager at least six times, and she just keeps telling me that "we just hired a new cleaning company." I am actually ashamed of the conditions that our hallway is in. Can I take them to court, so that they can get the judge's order to clean the hallways? Is there anything I can do. Please help!
2007-02-28 09:31:28 · 16 answers · asked by ivana314 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
How do I go about getting a judge's order?
I cannot move out, because the market is down, and the price of our condo is reasoable. We cannot afford anything more at this time.
2007-02-28 09:37:32 · update #1
Absolutely. Go to your local court and file a complaint. You can do this at a lower level court without an atty. They are clearly negligent. I thought running for a place on the Condo board was a real good idea, but file a written complaint and see how fast it gets cleaned!
2007-02-28 09:39:07 · answer #1 · answered by David M 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Here is a plan that worked for me.
1. Start communicating with other owners about your issues. Start making alliances.
2. Show leadership skills and desire to fix the problem, demonstrate that to your alliances.
3. Stay away from owners who just talk and no action. Find people who feel just as passionate about the issue as you do. You will need them when trying to bring them on board with you.
4. Attend every hall meeting and question every financial spending. Fully understand if the problem is in the books.
5. Run for a spot on a board and try to put as many of you people on the board.
6. Get a new managing company.
You see Ivana, Condo Association is just like the government. After we took over the HOA we replaced every member on the board. Just in five year we fixed the Home Owners Association. Occupancy rate is now 90%. Property value is up 87%. We decreased the HOA fees by 10% and have kept it down for five years (it’s a great political move if you have a good treasure person). Crime rate is practically none relative to the other units around. This year we had to increase the association fees by 16% (new roof).
The place looks so nice that more owners are buying for themselves. Before we took over the HOA our occupancy rate was 40%.
2007-02-28 10:59:09 · answer #2 · answered by J 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You could get together with some other owners and clean the place.
If there are serious problems, a good course would be to oust the current manager and appoint a new one. Get involved with the council or whoever manages your condo association.
Another reason to oust the management is, if they aren't getting the place cleaned, then what are they doing with the fees? Anyway, I don't think this is a matter for the courts, at least not yet.
2007-02-28 09:46:13 · answer #3 · answered by Peter 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sell your condo and move. I live in a condo association and I know from experience that there is no way to move the board of directors when it comes to spending money.
You cannot take them to court. They did not commit a crime. You can possibly sue for breach of contract. But you would have to show that you suffered a financial loss.
One possibility: get all of the people in your building to pay for the cleaning and repairs, then deduct the expenses from you condo fees.
Look at your contract carefully to see what actions you can take when the board members are not doing the job.
2007-02-28 09:39:02 · answer #4 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't you have a regular homeowners association meeting? Bring it up there.
How do your neighbors feel? They're paying dues, too, and they should also care about the hallway appearance.
Do you know who's on your board of directors? Contact them.
Get involved! This is not like being a tenant who calls the landlord to complain about the place. You're an owner and your association should address this.
2007-02-28 09:40:59 · answer #5 · answered by eleven 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Read your condo by-laws and look up dealing with disputes. You need to take your complaint to the association president or board. The manager works for them, after all. Try that route first before you pay money for a lawyer.
2007-02-28 09:38:02 · answer #6 · answered by Mama Gretch 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't take them to court. Their legal fees will be taken out of your association dues, whether you win or lose the case. You cannot win that way, you can only make your own situation worse.
Instead, find out about how the association works. Go to the meetings, which is your right as an owner. Talk to your neighbors. Get elected to the Board. Fix the problem.
2007-02-28 09:37:56 · answer #7 · answered by open4one 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
you can file in small claims court - you should try to get the tennants/condo owners together - find out when the next meeting is - you can threaten to with hold fees - you need to bring it up to the condo board though - a condo association is run BY the condo owners - so as one you need to be INVOLVED - not just a WHINER who complains when things go wrong
2007-02-28 10:00:59 · answer #8 · answered by Shopaholic Chick 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There must be a dispute resolution process in your condo by-laws. Find out how it works and get together everyone who feels the same as you to go to the Association meeting and air your complaints.
2007-02-28 09:42:47 · answer #9 · answered by meathookcook 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would go and get quotes to have the carpet cleaned or replaced.
Send copies of the quotes by certified mail to the association asking them to act. If they don't, take them to small claims court for the money. If you win..... take the money and replace it or clean it..
2007-02-28 09:47:15 · answer #10 · answered by luv3dbb 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋