Association Managers are USELESS (Miami, Hollywood: condominium, attorney, townhome)

[AssociationBlues]

I cannot believe that I am the only person experiencing problems with associations. All property managers seem to be CLUELESS, assistants are just there to answer the phone because really that's the only thing they are capable of doing... in a city saturated with Condominium Associations you would think there would be a standard or a regulating office that one could contact to file a complaint. I know, DBPR but they really don't do ANYTHING!!! I just found out that where I live the replacement of the roof was $3.1 million dollars... for a roof??? Someone is stealing money and no one is doing anything. Then again, when in Rome...

CUSTOMER SERVICE is DEAD in Miami and all association management companies are the WORSE thing to happen to this city!!!

[tallrick]

Solution: never, ever buy a condo unless it is 1/2 or less the price of a comparably sized home. My solution, never buy ANY condo or in any deed restricted community.

[LeTruth]

I agree with Rick's post. Associations are generally bad, but here in Miami, most are crooked. I have had nothing but bad experiences wuth all of them here, whether it's their stupid rules, or their complete and utter inaction when it comes to real issues, such as noise from neighbors, people driving like lunatics through the parking garage. In our last condo, the association tried to charge us $800 for moving out (a deposit for the usage of the service elevator)! We didn't sigh up for this and I refused to pay it (they backed down eventually). The office staff were always rude and incompetent too (once they accidentally cancelled my clicker so I couldn't get into the parking garage).

The moral of the story: don't buy a condo in Miami. You cannot do whatever you like to it...they'll even tell you what curtains you can or can't have abd what tiles to put on your balcony. For that, I'd just rent.

[heydade]

Yup....associations are horrible. I lived in two in the past.....I vowed again to never live in an association. I kept true to my promise. I am sorry you are having problems. Hire an attorney is all I can advise.

[JackTheRipper]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Solution: never, ever buy a condo unless it is 1/2 or less the price of a comparably sized home. My solution, never buy ANY condo or in any deed restricted community.

Totally agree with this post.

Customer Service in Miami (in GENERAL) is horrible.

[heydade]

customer service is NON EXISTANT. I am dealing with a horrible window/shutter company at this moment. From the moment I signed the contract to now, communication has been essentially ZERO. And then people wonder why they go out of business or are sued left and right. I was always taught that you have to bend over backwards for a customer..the customer is always right. Treat them with respect...keep the communication line open and flowing...and you will reap your rewards in the end. Some people just don't know how to do this.

[Ursula Germany]

Problems With The Continental Group Association Property Management in Aventura
For more than two years we have bad experiences with this TCG Property Management Hollywood,FL33020 in our community in Aventura.As German citizens we pay the 1st day of each month via Bank of America Bill Payment our maintenance fees for our townhome, and this management charged each month additional $ 25.00 late fee plus demand collection cost $25.00 plus reminder Collection Cost $5.00=that is $55.We have send them our bank statements of the last 18 months to proof that we paid our maintenance fees on time and our contradiction but TCG doesn't correct our Association account.After 5 emails and faxes we got a short email in September of the Property Manager Moderator cut: No Names that she is on holiday for 2 weeks and a 10 day demand letter and no further reply.Our Board of Director moved away so there is no one since June we can call from Germany for assistance in this case.At this TCG customer service nobody cares about anything,there is no reply than account statements with their late fees and the office staff changes consequently.In Germany it is illegal for a management to charge such an amount of money $55 when the fees arrive on time. We will fly to Miami in December as we can't do anything in this matter here from Germany.To whom can we send our complaints? Is there a consumer office or an organisation that can help us? Does anybody know a good attorney at Miami -Aventura aerea who is competent for Property/Association Management?Is there anybody who has same experiences with this property management of The Continental Group in Hollywood,FL 33020?
Thank you for your reply.With best regards,

[cuba libre]

Originally Posted by Ursula Germany

Problems With The Continental Group Association Property Management in Aventura
For more than two years we have bad experiences with this TCG Property Management in our community in Aventura.As German citizens we pay the 1st day of each month via Bank of America Bill Payment our maintenance fees for our townhome, and this management charged each month additional $ 25.00 late fee plus demand collection cost $25.00 plus reminder Collection Cost $5.00=that is $55.We have send them our bank statements of the last 18 months to proof that we paid our maintenance fees on time and our contradiction but TCG doesn't correct our Association account.After 5 emails and faxes we got a short email in September of the Property Manager Moderator cut: No Names that she is on holiday for the 2 weeks and a 10 day demand letter and no further reply.Our Board of Director moved away so there is no one since June we can call from Germany for assistance in this case.At this TCG customer service nobody cares about anything,there is no reply than account statements with their late fees and the office staff changes consequently.In Germany it is illegal for a management to charge such an amount of money $55 when the fees arrive on time. We will fly to Miami in December as we can't do anything in this matter here from Germany.To whom can we send our complaints? Is there a consumer office or an organisation that can help us? Does anybody know a good attorney at Miami -Aventura aerea who is competent for Property/Association Management?Is there anybody who has same experiences with this property management of The Continental Group in Hollywood,FL 33020?
Thank you for your reply.With best regards,

Attorney?? What a joke. Only crappy HOA's have that poor of service.

It's just $55. Pay it and move on.

[Ursula Germany]

Dear Cuba libre,
American English is not my mother language I tried my best to explain the facts . For 2 years each month TCG charged $55 without any reason in addition to the monthly fees of $485.For this money I have to work hard in Germany.
What does "crappy HOA's " mean?

[cuba libre]

Originally Posted by Ursula Germany

Dear Cuba libre,
American English is not my mother language I tried my best to explain the facts . For 2 years each month TCG charged $55 without any reason in addition to the monthly fees of $485.For this money I have to work hard in Germany.
What does "crappy HOA's " mean?

Your English is great.

HOA = Home owners association

crappy = not good

Good luck resolving this matter. My only advice would be to try to seek a manager or someone important at the management company. Chances are, you are stuck with some lowly desk clerk who doesn't do their job right.