guest blog by Nila Ridings
The biggest beef of living in an HOA or Condo Association is: THEY DON’T PERFORM THE MAINTENANCE YOU PAY FOR! That’s right. You pay and pay only to hear one excuse after another as to why they aren’t going to perform the work. And my own HOA experience has proven most of the work is sloppy and performed by people who don’t know which end of the hammer to use.
So, many homeowners think withholding dues is the only option to get the HOA’s attention. Keep in mind the CC&Rs say you have to pay whether or not services are rendered. So, expect the legal battle from the ready and willing attorneys who could care less about the conditions under which you are living. His/her only focus is on their bank accounts!
The condo owner and her mother (in the story linked below) are wondering if they can set up a trust to avoid the dues collection Nazis. The answer is: NO. You cannot escape paying the HOA by taking your last breath.
When I see my neighbors’ names in the obits I always think, “Well, another one had to die to get out of here!” If they owe dues you can bet the HOA is going after their estate….with one exception… my previous board president who managed to not have any accountability for TEN MILLION DOLLARS in HOA funds that vanished. No action was taken to stop his estate from settling.
(click here for related LA Times story)
