CondoAssociation.com

Our condo association consists of 10 townhouses classified as condos. Each of the upper decks need work some estimated at $1200 and others $4300. All of us are willing to pay the estimate to fix each individually with the contractor.

The president says because we are a condo association we have to divide it equally at $3,400 ...each all paying the same. All of us were in agreement to pay the amount individually.

How do we do a special assessment of each unit to make the repairs paying the contractor for the work done to his/her own unit and not a blanket assessment all parts being equal? Shouldn't we do a special assessment so units are charges their proportioned amount?  Anyone dealt with this before?

At our annual condo association meeting in August, the condo board presented the next year's association budget. We have 32 owners. The income was $23,000 more than the expenses. The board said this excess will be added to our "savings" to be available for "whatever may come up."

All of our roofing needs to be replaced in 5-7 years. (In 2007 the estimate for that was $88,000.) No estimate was given for that future cost. I wanted a reserve account set up for this. This board said no.

The condo board does not want to "tie up" our savings in any reserve accounts specified for any particular purpose. Our master condo association insurance policy deductible is increasing from $1,000 to $10,000. The condo board wants to be sure money is available in case there is a loss. I wanted to see a reserve account set up for this. The board said no.

We have not had a reserve study done since 1994 either professionally or on our own. I don't want my savings floating around with no purpose so the board can spend it on anything they want without telling the owners first. Do other condo associations have one or many more specified reserve accounts, and if so, what are they designated for? (We do have two months worth of operating expenses set up in a separate designated CD account as per our Bylaws, so at least we have done that right.)

I have been trying to get copies of my condo association financials including the condo association budget and monthly statements from our condo board and property management firm. They continue to ignore me. Please tell me where I can find my rights as a condo association member.  Some of us are holding back our condo fees. One of the board members is managing the place with his daughter controling the money. Now crazy spending on trees etc with nothing being done about the leaking roofs. Please tell me how I can get a copy or report these dishonest people.