Matt J
SWGB
To expand on WCW's post:
- Record the meeting with a simple tape recorder (make sure it has batteries in it, I knew someone that was famous for forgetting them). This makes the secretaries job much easier and there's no question of what was said.
- The Association should have keys to all units. Some owners balk at this and think you just want to peak at their hideous condo furniture. Remind them that state law allows the entrance to a unit by the association in the event of an emergency fire, water leak, etc. If this means taking the door down with a fire axe so be it. Any damage as a result is the responsibility of the owner and not the association. I was told by a CAM instructor that if someone won't provide a key and an emergency arises take the door down, don't try to pick the lock or use a credit card. They are aware of this upon purchase of a condo as they are agreeing to the association rules, bylaws, and state laws.
- Communication is the biggest thing. Email is great, but a BB similar to sowal is even better. They can easily be restricted to owners only and there are plenty of freebies out there.
- When someone is behind on their dues you're going to have to be a biatch. Put a lien on that sucker and accelerate the dues if possible. Don't listen to sob stories. If they can't afford the dues then they need to sell the property. Also liens should be filed annually. It's hard to collect if this isn't done and should be done to anyone. You can't be selective or you'll probably get sued.
- Bid out every vendor. Times are tough and when it comes to vendors it's a shoppers market.
- Contracts with vendors. Not really necessary and can be a real problem when they aren't delivering. Make sure that the contract has a 30 day release clause MAX. I'm not saying all vendors do it, but many times associations are stuck with a crappy vendor because they bought into the song and dance that ended when the ink on the contract dried.
- Have a lawyer. Someone threatens to sue, refer them to the lawyer. Ninety percent of the time it's an idle threat and that will shut them up real quick.
- Have an accountant. You don't want the IRS seizing your common elements because you put a decimal point in the wrong place. Day to day financials should be handled by the treasurer, but end of year taxes should be done by a proffesional.
That's it for now, if I think of anything else I'll come back.
- Record the meeting with a simple tape recorder (make sure it has batteries in it, I knew someone that was famous for forgetting them). This makes the secretaries job much easier and there's no question of what was said.
- The Association should have keys to all units. Some owners balk at this and think you just want to peak at their hideous condo furniture. Remind them that state law allows the entrance to a unit by the association in the event of an emergency fire, water leak, etc. If this means taking the door down with a fire axe so be it. Any damage as a result is the responsibility of the owner and not the association. I was told by a CAM instructor that if someone won't provide a key and an emergency arises take the door down, don't try to pick the lock or use a credit card. They are aware of this upon purchase of a condo as they are agreeing to the association rules, bylaws, and state laws.
- Communication is the biggest thing. Email is great, but a BB similar to sowal is even better. They can easily be restricted to owners only and there are plenty of freebies out there.
- When someone is behind on their dues you're going to have to be a biatch. Put a lien on that sucker and accelerate the dues if possible. Don't listen to sob stories. If they can't afford the dues then they need to sell the property. Also liens should be filed annually. It's hard to collect if this isn't done and should be done to anyone. You can't be selective or you'll probably get sued.
- Bid out every vendor. Times are tough and when it comes to vendors it's a shoppers market.
- Contracts with vendors. Not really necessary and can be a real problem when they aren't delivering. Make sure that the contract has a 30 day release clause MAX. I'm not saying all vendors do it, but many times associations are stuck with a crappy vendor because they bought into the song and dance that ended when the ink on the contract dried.
- Have a lawyer. Someone threatens to sue, refer them to the lawyer. Ninety percent of the time it's an idle threat and that will shut them up real quick.
- Have an accountant. You don't want the IRS seizing your common elements because you put a decimal point in the wrong place. Day to day financials should be handled by the treasurer, but end of year taxes should be done by a proffesional.
That's it for now, if I think of anything else I'll come back.
