Condo Association Management Blog

The Board has a responsibility to maintain the property to protect property values for all homeowners. In a house, you get to decide whether to replace something that is worn out, and the value of your property would reflect how and when you do that. But a condo Association Board is responsible for consistently protecting property values. In our state, the Board does not need approval for repair and maintenance. The only time a vote is required is if something 'new' is added to the property, like constructing a new pool, but not repairing an existing one. The cost of home ownership is replacing that which is broken, and the opinion about when that is can be different for each person. Condo living is like living in socialism...everything is the same for everyone. That's hard in America where we are used to making independent decisions. Your Board does have the right to do this without your permission; however, talk with them about scheduling the work...the most need first, and an assessment to cover that, or maybe assess each homeowner as their porch is repaired, with the understanding that ALL porches will eventually be repaired. It may give some homeowners time to save up for the cost.

You do not say how much your condo dues are! 
 
We just finished paying off our roof (15 units area) and it was much needed. We are now under management service and they raised our dues up to comp for the increase the other bills have raised on us. This is condo living and there is other stuff that needs to be done to our units. Geeish I wished they would assess us for the amount of work we need to do. Further I wish that they would just start getting things done around here. Count yourself lucky that they want to improve the value of your home. Ours don't give a crap!

35 years and no Reserve fund to cover this expense? Something is wrong with the way your HOA is managed.

You know, $6,000.00/230= $26.09 PER UNIT! Good grief! What a bargain for a fence on your unit! I do not understand WHY the property assessment, which is not helpful for your property values or when they go do an appraisal. I would just ask everyone to pay the amount or go up on dues.  
 
That is a negligible fee, in my opinion. Are you sure you did not mean to write $60,000.00?

I agree with Sheri. $~26 per unit to maintain an item which needs maintenance is negligible. You buy into an HOA because historically they "control" the look and maintenance of the community which results in stable if not higher property values than those not in an HOA. I certainly wouldn't be upset to pay $26 to get a nice looking fence. Even in this economy, $26 isn't much....you can't even get a full tank of gas for that.

My guess is that the assessment is $6,000, per unit.  
 
The Board's duty is to maintain the property and to do as much as possible to keep property values up.  
 
Someone asked why there is no reserve for the fence--(wall?)--this is a fair question.  
 

I do not believe any fence for any condo would cost $6,000! Multiply $6K x 230 units is $1,380,000.00! I do not believe that each unit is $6,000.00. 
 

I am the original poster. Thank you all for your comments. Yes, it is $6000 for each fence. The board says our reserves have been underfunded for years, and monthly dues are now around $500; if they go up another 20 percent, as I suspect they will with a "no" vote on the assessment, they will have more than doubled in five years. I understand the board has a responsibility to maintain property values, but you would look at many of the fences and think they are fine. Some need repair, some need replacement. It's not like they are in dire need. People have no money for these repairs at this time. Our current economic conditions should be part of the this equation. What does it say when the board goes against the wishes of the people they represent? The 230 owners cannot prevent the dues from rising 20 percent, but can they tell the board how not to spend the money, to not repair the fences en masse? ... We have suggested to repair/replace on an as-need, one-by-one basis, but the board is refusing that option, saying the price will go way up. Thank you.

Let me be clear for the sake of the price: It's not just a metal fence, as I may have led some to believe. We call it a fence. It is a wooden patio wall, enclosing our patios on three sides, with cement posts in the ground.

Determining the best course of action for everyone involved is not easy. In part it is in the best interest for everyone to have new fencing. However, it may not be in the best interest for everyone to have a special assessment or an increase in monthly dues. You may recommend a reserve study. A reserve study will provide the board and community with a picture of the current financial and physical condition of the association. Additionally, a professional recommendation will be included that addresses when the fencing should be replaced and if it's possible to avoid a special assessment.

Our Master Board wants to purchase the on-site golf course for 1.6 
 
using our reserves as collateral. 
 
Many residents do not want this 
 
based on the assessments that will be inevitable. However, the board is in pursuit and have offered more $ than the property is worth. 
 
How can they force this on the 
 
residents. Even if we have a vote, 
 
the Master Board has said they can 
 
purchase the property regardless of 
 
the outcome.