Senior Citizens and dissable people

What can we do to stop the rise of dues without upsetting the board and the property manager who seems to "own" the board. We have many elderly and some disabled people who just cannot afford more dues and are worried about losing their home. Are there any laws that any of you may be aware off that can stop this threat to these people.

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!

JacquelineB2

Jacqueline,

As a senior citizen who also happens to have a wife who is senior and disabled, I can certainly understand your dilemma. I dread it every time I sit at a board meeting and try to set the budget, knowing we're going to have to raise fees.

Unfortunately, there's almost nothing that can be done. I'm fairly certain that, in most states, and I know for a fact in Connecticut, that assessments have to be made equally among all unit owners. That's it. It's the law. There's no way to even amend the documents to allow for it.

Obviously, the best you can do is to look for ways to control costs the best you can. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions. This past year we deleted one service the association used to provide and that was annual gutter cleaning. Previously, that service was provided to all units by the association, and this year we made it an individual owner responsibility. The decision was based on a number of factors, but was driven mostly by the fact that because of circumstances, including unit location, only a few units actually needed this service, alhough everyone paid for it. In its place the board now negotiates a discounted rate with a company that the individual homeowners can take advantage of, if they wish to use the service. It seems to have been accepted withou too much fuss.

There may be certain services or ameneties that you can legally break out for separate treatment based on use (such as a swimming pool). Mind you, there will be those in favor (the ones who save on their average assessments because they don't use the service or amenity) and those who will be violently opposed because the service or amenity will now cost them more. Keep in mind, you still need to pay the costs and if fees go down for some, they have to go up for others. It's like taxes. Municipalities might give tax breaks to seniors, but if they do, it means the younger folks then have to pay more.

Jacqueline,

Unfortunately, this is a sign of the times. The elderly, the disabled, the young kids with starter homes and babys are all in the same situation. Even retired people who thought they had a perfect plan to carry them thru are now faceing the same problems. I wish that there was an answer but there isn't. The Fed. government and we the consumers have created the mess that we are in. It's time for all of us to change the way that we live. (Not trying to be philosophical here)

good luck dissolving any HOA with common area or property...