Condo Association Management Blog

We are the opposit. We are a very large community in NJ. Well over 700 units. Our problem IS the board and the property management. Our board is arrogant. So many try to get on the board, but that never seems to happen. We ask questions of our board and never get answers. I think that's why so many from our association get so frustrated and don't show up. Let's see, the president/treasurer lives with the pool manager. The property manager's two son's are the maintenance men. Another board member works for the pool and part-time in the office. We're like a money pit. When you ask where the money is going you don't get an answer. It's sooooooo frustrating.

WELCOME TO CONDO LIVING jUDI.If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't be here. Don't need this in the winter of my life.

If your meetings are contentious and really ineffective you need to start an education program. All sides are at fault and the basic problem is lack of understanding of the Roberts Rules. The Chair,the Board members and the association (attendees) need to learn how to properly conduct themselves and have a meaningful; prioductive meeting. The Chair in particular must set the tone with calm leadership which does not reflect bias. The attendees must allow the person who has the floor to have their say with no interruption and noremarks in the background. The audience must be made aware that the first time they are out of order they shall draw a warning-the seconds time they will be asked to leave the meeting. Enforcing this policy will rid you of major impediments to the conduct of a true meangingful meeting. You can find firms who offer on line instyruction in Roberts Rules-You need to learn to lead!!

I must agree with Scott, additionally, if you have a Management Company, have their Manager of your Association present at meetings to assist and advise. You will find that nearly no-one really understands the format and "rules" of Robert's Rules, I suggest some on-line study or purchase a book. One last thought, if your State has a Condominium Ombudsman contact them for some suggestions and assistance, they many be able to help.

@Scott. after years of the same, you just say the Hell with it. Our whole board are either friends, next door neighbors or the best, a newly formed church group. I've posted so many questions on this blog, and tried some of the suggestions. I'll just read and if I want to comment I will. I am still waiting to get some reply from the Omnibudsman of our state, but after three months and two letters later, I think I'll give up.

Have you looked for a path to follow in your state condo act??. Have you tried to assemble a group of like minded unit owners to mount a opush for chasmnge under the provisions of your state law?? 
 
Apathy will kill!!!

Have you looked for a path to follow in your state condo act??. Have you tried to assemble a group of like minded unit owners to mount a opush for chasmnge under the provisions of your state law?? 
 
Apathy will kill!!!

Like myself, many in our association are seniors and windows. We just want to live out our lives with some peace. Most are afraid the board will go to management. That has been their hold over us. Most of us can't afford management for reasons I won't go into here, although I did comment on it many months ago. That is why I tried to contact the Ombudsman. I also saw my lawyer at $200 an hour, but because he was not real familiar with condo laws etc. he couldn't help me, and I can't afford $200 an hour for any lawyer. thank you for your comments. We will be fine.

This is a common problem in HOAs. Because our homes are often our largest investment, there is a large amount of emotional attachment that comes with anything affecting our homes. This results in otherwise rational people succumbing to irrational behavior. 
 
One bit of advice that I always advice my HOAs is to follow some form of parliamentary procedure at meetings. Doing so allows for streamlined business and also permits people to view their opinions - NOT, about each other, but about topics that affect the Association. The key difference is framing the discussion so it relates to an issue, not to people. 
 
I've posted some additional info and advice at my website, and, in fact, today's update is about parliamentary procedure. Feel free to read further here: http://bit.ly/gKe9Z0 
 
Best of luck in moving your meetings into the positive!!

At my association's board meetings, we found that after the first headlock, a big harry fellow name Bubba did a pretty good job of keeping everyone in line. 
 
It only takes one example. 
 
Darron

We recently had a meeting to go over our new reserve study and special assessment. We expected a "passionate" response from our owners so we hired a guard for the meeting. You have to be safe. But the guard should only be there to help should things get violent or physical. It is up to the board and the property manager to keep the meeting moving along pursuant to Robert's Rules (Google this). 
 
 
 
I am newly appointed board president of an HOA that has had not true or effective communication in the last 4 years or more. Myself and our prop manager conducted the meeting. We kept eveyone in order by putting a time limit on commentary and stepping in when things got to rowdy. You need someone to mediate your meetings and that person has to be strong enough to break in when things get off topic.  
 
 
 
Education and communication are key. Some people will never get it, though.  
 
 
 
Good luck!

Your hired guard has no authority to arrest nor to remove a boistrous member from ther meeting. You'd best be very careful what dity you assign to him or you may face a serious law suit. The control of the meeting rests largely with the Chair. The use of Roberts rules are fine if the board members and the aswembly understand their application. If both sides do not understand you'd be well advised to buy traing in Roberts for all.

How about NO CONFRONTATION in that the Board does not recognize the homeowners, distances themselves and sit on a silver platform. They have become the king, the queen, the emperor and the Supreme Court. There is little or no interaction with the homeowners as though we don't exist. They softly whisper amongst themselves at meetings so we can not follow what is going on.  
This HOA Board has their "supreme power" gone to their head.

Size doesn't seem to matter as far as confrontation is concerned. We only have 7 owners and our biggest problem owner now has a bully boyfriend who takes over our meetings. No one wants to enforce our 'owners' only policy - he is only the boyfriend and non-owner. Our last meeting was pretty ugly - even after re-supplying 5 years worth of docs to him - he accused me of stealing and demanded access to our bank account - to the extent of shoving his laptop at me and demanding I sign on in front of him at our meeting! I've kept our accounts in good standing and supply Financial Statements accounting for every penny along with bank statements - which many condo bloggers would well appreciate from what I read here. He never read them and swayed others owners not to pay the assessment we need for some badly needed maintenance effecting the integrity of our building and other owners also questioned me since many don't read the statements either. 2-3 of us are responsible and agree with common sense maintenance and understand business, 2 have been bullied into silence, and the 'bully boyfriend' has been joined by another trouble-maker owner who also tried to take over the account. So we are stalemated as our building deteriorates. I've been dreading the next meeting - but this is my investment also, so I will stand up to the 'bullies' and stand my ground as long as possible. Bullies will just wear you down - but hang in there - your investment is worth it.

HI! I live in MASS and want to pass a CONDO ACT for the rights of Home Owners. Anyone in MASS that wants to join me....lets get this ACT passed! 
 
We have rights....we are the home owner!

For "Condo Owner With Rights. Your state of Massachusetts already has a dcondominium act on the books. Suggest astrongly you download and study it for the solution to your problem.

How about this one. I brought to the attention of the board in October that we were not conducting our elections according to the by-laws. The property manager prompted our Pres/Treas that he should answer "it's up to the discretion of the board" how to hold elections. They sent out ballots in October to be mailed to a CPA firm. So now we sent out ballots(stamps for 766 units), Addressed envelopes to the CPA (stamps for 766 units). I again reminded them in Nov. they were not conducting the election correctly according to the by-laws. Again they ignored me. I reminded them again in December that I would have to bring civil action if they did not conduct their elections according to the by-laws. In January when the newly elected candidates should have been announced, instead they announced that according to their attorney they would have to conduct the election according to our by-laws. WOW!!! So now the election is March 9th and so far no one has even been notified that the election that was held illegally was void.