[Xenocide]

We own a condo here in Charlotte and it is managed by a management group.

This group has not done ANYTHING. When we bought the place, they said a security gate would be installed within a month. It has been over a year since then, they have pushed it back until mid fall.

People always park in handicap parking and fire lanes, parking is never checked even though we pay for it in association fees. They claim all the money is going towards the non-existent gate. I asked the manager of the association about towing, they said to call 911 if someone parks in the fire lane....I said, what good would that do? its private property the police won't give a crap. She paused and just said, oh your right...

If i call the towing company they say the management company does not allow them to tow cars anymore!?!?!!

Yesterday there were some dumbasses riding dirt bikes through the community tearing up the grass (they were residents). I called the management, and the lady said. What do you want me to do? Tell them to stop?, because that won't help.

I am absolutely baffled that the $150 a month I pay for upkeep isn't used for crap. Our property looks like ****, grass is all burnt out, and the waste disposal company leaves larger items at the dumpster instead of removing them.

Anyone ever been in this situation and/or have a remedy?

[Adragontattoo]

Originally Posted by Xenocide

We own a condo here in Charlotte and it is managed by a management group.

This group has not done ANYTHING. When we bought the place, they said a security gate would be installed within a month. It has been over a year since then, they have pushed it back until mid fall.

People always park in handicap parking and fire lanes, parking is never checked even though we pay for it in association fees. They claim all the money is going towards the non-existent gate.

If i call the towing company they say the management company does not allow them to tow cars anymore!?!?!!

Yesterday there were some dumbasses riding dirt bikes through the community tearing up the grass (they were residents). I called the management, and the lady said. What do you want me to do? Tell them to stop?, because that won't help.

I am absolutely baffled that the $150 a month I pay for upkeep isn't used for crap. Our property looks like ****, grass is all burnt out, and the waste disposal company leaves larger items at the dumpster instead of removing them.

Anyone ever been in this situation and/or have a remedy?

Is there a condo association?

Are you friends with many of your neighbors?

Class action lawsuit regarding lack of services is an option
Voting out the current management company is another.

[David]

Solution: Don't pay.

If you aren't getting the service you are paying for, don't pay at all. They'll soon take notice if they aren't getting paid.

[Xenocide]

If I don't pay, I will get fined.

Sad part is most of the people around here are renters, and the property owners don't care as long as they make a buck off students.

[Adragontattoo]

They can actually take your condo if you dont pay.

[Adragontattoo]

Originally Posted by Xenocide

If I don't pay, I will get fined.

Sad part is most of the people around here are renters, and the property owners don't care as long as they make a buck off students.

Bump up the food chain, if the on site folks wont get moving, go to their boss. If their boss wont do anything, go to the top and email/call the Corporate execs.

[Xenocide]

That is the problem, no one is on site. When I call they say, We are 45 minutes away, we can't do anything.

I asked for the person above our manager and I was ignored.

[Adragontattoo]

Xeno what is the management company?

[Xenocide]

Association Management Group

http://www.amgworld.com

http://www.campuswalk.org is my complex

[Adragontattoo]

http://www.amgworld.com/executive.asp

Call the president

EECB the entire Corporate staff, CC tips@consumerist.com, CC the BBB and AG of your area if possible. Also see about emailing to your local paper as well, TV station would be better if they have one of the CHANNEL X ON YOUR SIDE type consumer advocacy.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=553549

See this thread, I did the above to Comcast and it 3 hours I had done what 6 days on the phone couldnt do.

What you need to do, is go to the guys in charge and CC people who will put it out there that they dont care, that they just want money and dont provide service, if you do things like this, you CAN get results. You need to follow up with this though and let those same people know that after X amount of time, I had a response, I had a guy call me right back and they are doing X.

[David]

Originally Posted by Xenocide

If I don't pay, I will get fined.

Sad part is most of the people around here are renters, and the property owners don't care as long as they make a buck off students.

Here you could defend a fine on the basis that you were not getting the service you are paying for. Granted the sue-everyone culture isnt anywhere near as bad here as it is in the US.

Write a nice long letter about it.

[jack222]

Originally Posted by David

Here you could defend a fine on the basis that you were not getting the service you are paying for. Granted the sue-everyone culture isnt anywhere near as bad here as it is in the US.

Write a nice long letter about it.

I would think that unless he had any formal complaints, or had written word from the group that said gate was going to be installed over a year ago, he wouldn't have much of a case. True, they are screwing him over. But from the sound of it, none of it is really in writing so I would think he would loose if they tried to fine him.

[FireMogle]

Check your local laws about this, I know here in Kansas you have a right to know what the money is going towards, and a refund for the remainder.

[Enablingwolf]

Actually it would be contract law. :\ He has to cull over the legalese of what is allowed and what is not. Most contracts allow for fixes. If not..

[FireMogle]

Originally Posted by Enablingwolf

Actually it would be contract law. :\ He has to cull over the legalese of what is allowed and what is not. Most contracts allow for fixes. If not..

No I mean in Kansas If I pay my landlord to $X because they say stuff needs fixed, I have the legal right as a tenant to see proof that they spend it on that and nothing but that.

[Kendan]

Bring al of your issues up at the next homeowners meeting. Also document and report by certified mail every problem you are encountering. Basically document everything and then bring up all issues at the next homeowners meeting.

You most likely wont get anywhere but documenting everything is a must and when they make promises, get them in writing.

As for David's comment. Do not stop paying as you can lose your home over it. Do an internet search for how to handle similar situations with HOA's.

Good luck.

[bchur83]

I would document your calls, then quit paying. When they call you asking why you arent paying, you can list off the calls and the lack of service. If they pursue it farther, then contact a lawyer. They arent holding up their end of the contract.

[Enablingwolf]

Originally Posted by FireMogle

No I mean in Kansas If I pay my landlord to $X because they say stuff needs fixed, I have the legal right as a tenant to see proof that they spend it on that and nothing but that.

HOA's are contracted with the deed. Not the same as renting. Renters can find love with US HUD laws if need be. Even under a contracted lease.



Xeno can you get the minutes of the meetings? This will address Kendan's input for proof. If they have breeched the HOA contract, you have ammo.

[Adragontattoo]

Originally Posted by Adragontattoo

http://www.amgworld.com/executive.asp

Call the president

EECB the entire Corporate staff, CC tips@consumerist.com, CC the BBB and AG of your area if possible. Also see about emailing to your local paper as well, TV station would be better if they have one of the CHANNEL X ON YOUR SIDE type consumer advocacy.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=553549

See this thread, I did the above to Comcast and it 3 hours I had done what 6 days on the phone couldnt do.

What you need to do, is go to the guys in charge and CC people who will put it out there that they dont care, that they just want money and dont provide service, if you do things like this, you CAN get results. You need to follow up with this though and let those same people know that after X amount of time, I had a response, I had a guy call me right back and they are doing X.

Originally Posted by Kendan

Bring al of your issues up at the next homeowners meeting. Also document and report by certified mail every problem you are encountering. Basically document everything and then bring up all issues at the next homeowners meeting.

You most likely wont get anywhere but documenting everything is a must and when they make promises, get them in writing.

As for David's comment. Do not stop paying as you can lose your home over it. Do an internet search for how to handle similar situations with HOA's.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Enablingwolf

HOA's are contracted with the deed. Not the same as renting. Renters can find love with US HUD laws if need be. Even under a contracted lease.



Xeno can you get the minutes of the meetings? This will address Kendan's input for proof. If they have breeched the HOA contract, you have ammo.

Do all of these

Dont shoot people.

Dont sue unless that is the last resort.

[Enablingwolf]

Originally Posted by Adragontattoo

Dont sue unless that is the last resort.

Once he pulls the minutes. The HOA is going to be jumpy. Then he can make his move. Most of the members will probably not know the by-laws, and make mistakes. Self interest.. Once you start to make the move and get what they said in the owners meetings. You can use that, to get stuff rolling. Keeping it civil and tidy.

Then again, they might vote you out out of your deed either way/ Why the minutes kind of are important. You cannot stop tea parties though. In meetings, it is on record.