Condo Association Management Blog

These blogs often contain questions and responses that recommend hiring an attorney, suing someone, etc. Everyone needs to remember that if you engage an attorney, the other side (property manager, board member, developer) will as well, and who pays for this side's legal fees? You the homeowner does through a higher assessment to cover the cost. Thus, engaging lawyers to settle these matters (and most people know that lawyers rarely settle anything; they argue with each other forever, running up fees without results) should only be considered as a last resort. 
 
 
 
Have you tried to meet with the builder to discuss these issues? If you have tried and he will not meet with you, my suggestion would be to write him a letter with specific details of management and financial failures. Have as many owners as possible sign the letter. How many more units must be sold until the builder is required to relinquish control of the board?

How many units are their in your association?

You are involved in a quite difficult and complex situation. As a first step I'd like to suggest you download and read the Pennsylvania State Condominium Act. You will find specific requirements relating to the tranistion of control from the developer to the Condominium Association. In addition you should call you Attorney General's office amnd seek their assistance in developing your course of action. Many states attorney generals have ombundsmen who are specifically charged with providing such assuistance.

Don't bother with the Ombundsmenif they're like ours in the state of Illinois. I sent two letter asking for help or suggestions as to what we can do with a hugh problem we have with our board. We don't have the money to hire a lawyer. She hasn't even had to common courtesy to answer the first, or second letter. So our problem goes on and on.

Don't condem all ombundsmen based upon your own experience. In Maryland,where I reside in a condo our Ombundsmen perform admirable service. But in your case why not contact your state senators or representatives and work the problem through them??

You need a petition first. 
Once you know how many of your neighbors are on your side or care enough to do something, you can get things done. 
 
If you have 51% on your side, you can do a lot. if you have 75% you are unstoppable. if you have 25% you can usually stop them from screwing you more. 
 
Use a lawyer immediately! Dont fall for that crap about it costing you in the end. It is costing you in the front and the end if you dont get a lawyer. 
 
If you have a majority behind you then a lawyer is going to get you somewhere. If you don't, then be prepared to suck it up.

We are in the same situation in Duluth, MN. Our manager is friends with the Banker who took over the property. It's like the fox guarding the hen house. The manager cooks the books and over charges us in order to support an adjacent hotel he runs. 
 
Most of our condo owners have given up, and put their heads in the sand or folded. We continue to fight back against injustice but it's not an easy road.