Condo Association Management Blog

It depends upon the provisions in your state law and bylaws and documents. In my state, Maryland, state law requires a condominium to hire a management comnpany. Bit the Board of Directors can order only those services from that company they hire that they wish to be provided.

Requiring a condo to hire a management company is a license for fraud. If you can run the condo on your own, do so - less kickbacks and less corruption.

As Scott Adler said, check your state regs and your legal docs to see what they require. I'm in Texas and we don't require a management co. I've been on the Board of two associations. One was a 118 unit property without a management company. The current one is a 55 unit property with a management company. The best I can say is the management company does bookkeeping and answers all problem phone calls. The involvement and knowledge of Board members is the key. Mgt companies are what they are. Neither good nor bad, they reflect the oversight the Board provides. The more alert the Board the less chance for fraud or abuse.

I'm in Florida.  
 
 
 
The state allows Condo Associations and HOAs to self manage themselves with provisions. No pay can be given to a Board Member for providing this management service. The Board manages the property on a day to day basis. They can hire contractors to provide services including lawn and pool service. They may also hire an attorney and accountant. They can hire an office clerk and handy man. NO ONE can accept money for ANY management services. No Board member can be a contractor or accept any compensation in HOA fees or other compensation.  
 
I nonly know of 1 well run self managed association in Port St. Lucie, Fl. They have managed their own property for many years. They have bright hard working members willing to do the heavy lifting of management. Owners are ACTIVE. 
 
AS a Real Estate Professional, I would not suggest this is the way to go. Few Associations can pull this off.

I live in Florida and I was a board member for a condo for long time. I worked with an honest property management and believe it was a releif for our board members. This property management worked hard for my association, they put the accounts in good standing and we saved money because when associations ask for the services of an accountant or attorney those services are more expensive. The services of an acountant were only needed at the end of our fiscal year. I can recomend this property management without reservation. Feel free to contact me via email.yudycuba2010@gmail.com

I'm in California. 
 
 
 
We have a small, 22 unit townhouse complex, built in 1980 that has always been self managed. As Lawrence said, it's all about the folks involved. Our current Board Members, 3 including myself, all got on the Board after several years of "minimum management" by the previous Board. We just realized if someone didn't step up, the place would fall into disrepair because the Board was on a 100 percent "cheapest bid" train of thought.  
 
 
 
Proud to say we've really spiffed the place up over past 4 years, done many capital improvements with minimal assessments while keeping monthly HOA's in check. We've actually been approached by other HOA's in the neighborhood to manage their properties. 
 
 
 
But....it is a lot of work. We routinely take vactaion days from our jobs to meet with potential contractors, do research, etc. We approach it as if we lived in a single family dwelling and had to do it all anyway. 
 
 
 
Self manage can work well, but it depends on the people.

Yudy 
 
Good for you and your community. Many Boards consider an individual CAM manager but few have experience or important resources to benefit the community. I too vote for a quality Management company. Interview them and check their references. Interview owners in addition to just the Board they represent. Take your time, save money and grief.

It depends on the character of the people who live in the condominium. Our board has torn us apart by providing special favors for some and demonizing others. Since those who get the favors believe in justice only when it benefits them, we cannot manage ourselves. Essentially, we have learned not to trust one another with the help of the declarant and the board.

Gary 
 
Unfortunately, your community is like most. If you honestly feel the Board is breaking statutes and condo rules, document the issues, file complaints by certified mail and file complaints with the government agency that protects condo and HOA owners. Problem is most owners complain but do nothing about it. Your board is aware of that and know they can do what they please because there is no owner willing to take the time or effort to resolve these issues. It takes a bit of time and it helps to have a few like minded owners to band together to make corrections. Remember, You are an OWNER, not a tenant. You vote or not vote. You express opinions or keep quiet. You work for change or accept what you get.  
 
Your Choice.

The governing documents of my condo association in WA State allows our association to be self managed (have no managing agent) only with an affirmative vote of 75% of the total voting power of the Association.

I own and live in a condo in Harvey Louisiana..I've been complaining for more than 3 years about the poor job the management and the association is doing in our units.I am not the only owner complaining about this. We call the manager and never answer the phone..We leave a message and maybe he calls you back a week later.. I am trying to convince those affected by this to put me on the board and see what I can do about it. He always say that there is no money to do repairs even Thow we pay $325. a month plus htere is always a special assesment at least twice a year of 500. to a 1,000... comments please..!!!