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Posted By RobertR1 on 08/08/2008 3:36 PM
George,
This is an interesing question, and one we should investigate. Why isn't association phone numbers not listed under the HOA section of the Yellow pages (Is there such a thing as HOA's in the Yellow Pages)and aslo listed by name in the Phone Book?
Sure would open some doors for communication. We have Condo Office phones paid for by the condo and fax machines and cell phones for the manager and probably for some boards, all paid by the association and we don't rate a phone listing.
To me, this seems incredible. How many associations out there are listed in the Phone Book? How many in the yellow pages? I think something slipped throught the cracks.
This has been a problem for years, particularly for real estate agents and title companies trying to close on a sale. With officers changing frequently, and no central way of keeping track of how to get in touch with the homeowners association, it is an ongoing challenge. Even the county recorders and assessors do not maintain lists of property related associations. Most do not have a permanent address or even a phone. In a lot of cases an attorney serves as the registered agent, and that is all the information available. Sometimes a Google search is the best that can be done.
In Naptown, Hoosierland we have a Neighborhood Liaison Office that does a reasonable job of keeping track of community and neighborhood groups. And I can do a statewide search of corporations on line using search terms such as "homeowners," "property" or "community" and get a list of many (not all) homeowners associations. (There is no requirement here that such associations even be incorporated--some are not.)
Mandatory annual state registration of homeowners associations coupled with an annual fee of, say $5 per unit, to support an ombudsman may be the way to go. My guess is that it will be a tough row to hoe with the state legislature.
I would think CAI and its local chapters would have an interest in doing something. I think they may have tried 10 years ago, but gave up, because it was such a daunting task.
The best information, I think, would be from the IRS, since the vast majority of homeowners associations file an 1120-H. But that information is not disclosed.
The concept of a homeowners association is a great national experiment in "private governments" right now. We are learning as we go along, making some good decisions and some huge mistakes.
Go figger. . .