I’m looking for assist on writing a letter to all the homeowners in my small condo community…
Hi, I’m trying to get the board replaced with one that actually does their job. The only power we/I have as members are voting rights. Unfortunately, 2/3 of the units are rented out. This is a small community of 24 condos with 16 rented out. I want to write a letter to the owners making them aware of the board’s response to issues in the community or lack of a response of things like maintenance, abandoned cars, renters with unleashed dogs, emails going unanswered, not holding board meetings or posting when they will be, etc. Has anyone on here written such a letter and was it effective and will you share? I have access to all the homeowners’ physical addresses fortunately. Thank you.
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Kellie,
While I’ve done what you are looking for in my past community it would be totally inappropriate for me or anyone outside your community to write a letter to the members of your community. To remove the board you would have to get a petition for a special meeting of the members to vote to recall the entire board signed by 26% of the unit owners. Or 6 owners that are in good standing. Once the board get that signed petition they must call that meeting within 30 days, to hold that vote. I never recommend that such a drastic action is even attempted unless you have viable candidates that will approach these positions differently. I’ve seen communities go thru this very disruptive process only to end up with a replacement board that acts no differently. The quorum for the meeting will be 20% of the community in person or by absentee ballot. If successful then a second meeting will be required in 30 days to elect the replacement board. Don’t even try this without having board candidates available.
Dennis
Dennis thank you for your response, however , I’m not asking for anyone to write a letter. I was simply asking for an example of one. I would go ahead and write the letter.
Is there anyone you know where I could go and pay for advice on how to change the situation around me. Someone who knows the laws very well and has experience fighting HOA boards (why do I have to fight with the HOA board, shouldn’t we be on the same page…)? I don’t understand what “a petition for a special meeting means”, for example. I do- not -know- what- to- do -but I want to do something. I am thinking that I should at the very least let all the owners know what is going on here in a letter with some pictures.
Fortunately, I feel like I just did something because I just recently notified the city of Oro Valley building code enforcement that the steps out of my building are not safe. The city came out but I don’t know yet what the outcome will be. This is after I notified the board in writing and verbally about the situation. The board is responsible for fixing the steps. I feel like I am on an island by myself.
Kellie,
This is what this website and coalition is about. You have the right to write a letter to anyone that you want to on any subject. How those people deal with that is a totally different thing. If you have concerns that are significant about how money is spent or inadequate maintenance or upkeep of the community then most probably there are many others in the community that share your belief. Approach the letter as a focus of your most significant concerns asking everyone if they share those concerns and would be willing to work with you to try and drive the association to address the concerns. As for the investors that rent their units show them how these issue could impact their property values and ability to attract renters in the future. Don’t present yourself as a complainer but rather as someone only wanting to make your community better. Suggest a meeting in any common area or local library of even your home for anyone willing to work with you to that end. Together your group could then approach the board and ask that they address your concerns. If they refuse then you could use the group to work on a recall of part or all of the board.
Dennis