How to get rid of association president? (condo, lawyer)

[203302]

I live in a tiny 14 unit building in the suburbs.

The association president pays himself 59.00 an hour to vacuum the 3 hallways we have (the only cleaning we need). He bought and replaced the bulbs in halls with 40 watt bulbs for better energy performance, then 3 months later (because he was "bored") he bought 60 watt bulbs and changed them all again. Keeps the temperature of one hallway higher so a certain condo doesn't have to pay more in heating. Keeps the stairways, that no one uses, at about 90 because he is scared the pipes wil freeze.. The list goes on.... After raising our association two months ago to 55.00 to cover the increasing bills we have, he just informed me that we will also have an assessment this month because we are still in the hole.

It's a tiny 14 unit condo building, and we are paying 225.00 a piece for association. That only covers water, sewage, sanitation, outside maintenance, and heating & electricity of tiny common area.

He is obviously not being responsible with our funds, and it is costing the home owners money, so what should we do about it? We spoke to the property management company, and they informed us that the association board hired them so they work for them, not the condo owners, and would offer no more information.

If anyone can offer any advice, we would all greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

[Chandler85]

run to be on the board of the association then...

[wease]

Money talks the best. Send a letter to the ownership of the building telling them how you feel. Mention that it may be pushing you to look for a cheaper place to live. If others in your building feel the same way, get them to send a note as well.

[Slig]

you could always move.

[rcsteiner]

If your building has an association, you probably also have a set of legal documents which describe the covenants and procedures that the association is supposed to follow. Obtain a copy and study them, and perhaps also get the assistance of a lawyer to help interpret them.

If what he is doing is against the letter of the covenant documents, you may have a case for legal action against this person, which means you can bring the court system into play.

Is he the only association officer?

[Norsky1]

I would suggest joining the board, or speaking w/ the other board members. If it is frustrating you, I am sure it is frustrating others.

Good Luck!

[Clifford63]

$255 for association dues that cover water and sewer, plus outside maintenance are not what most would consider to be excessive. I agree with many of the suggestions though. Get a copy of the covennent, get copy of the expense records, talk to other tennents and see if they feel the same way. If you are the only one feeling ripped off, you may be best adjusting your expectations instead of getting all frustrated or taking painful steps in the legal system.

[swmetroguy]

Check with the other board members (if there are any) and see what their opinion is of his work.