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RobertD1 (California)
Posts: 4
Posted:
We are located in Southern California (Carlsbad). Our association only has 16 units and our management company really does not do much for us, in my opinion ( I am still trying to get them to send me a copy of our contract). They pretty much handle our money, pay our bills, and eventually get quotes for repairs.
They sent us a 2006 budget for approval very late, ended up approving it themselves, and sent a letter to the homeowners stating it was approved by the Board. It was not. A reserve study has not been conducted since 2002.
Our MC just raised their fee by 40% and our President OK’d it without letting any of the other owners or board members know. They also wanted to raise our monthly dues by 25% in just over a year.
I, ( I ), did some work on the budget, showed our MC company where they could save us some money and then they said I was right and there is too much “fat” in their budget.
Is this par for the “MC” course? Is there another way to manage that is more cost efficient? After all, we are doing the work and they are paying our bills…Bank of America could do that with “Bill Pay” for much less.
JulieS (Georgia)
Posts: 412
Posted:
Residents of our neighborhood always tell the board that we shouldn't have a management company. They think the monthly fee is too much to pay. The problem is finding enough volunteers to do all the work.

If you want someone to do the collections and accounting, a number of companies will do just that, or you can have full management. Our board members prefer full manangement as we do not want to be the ones sending out violation letters, being in direct responsibility of handling the money (better to have a 3rd party) and also, the MC is on top of the laws and regulations, a great resource of knowledge. Our contract also includes the attorney retainer.

Sometimes, fellow board members complain that the MC is not doing enough, or doing their job, and I remind them that we are responsible also. Our governing documents tell us when the budget must be sent out. Yes, the MC puts it together but we have a meeting, review, make adjustments and then approve and mail out.

We are the ones who live in the neighborhood and are ultimately responsible. Everything cannot be left entirely to the MC. The MC is a tool to help the association run to the best of it's abilities.

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