HELP with HOA Dispute!

stephanie123456

Good Morning everyone,

 

My hubby and I just bought our townhouse at the end of last month from the longest short sale ever (10 grueling months that I stressed out and waited for this darn house) and we started doing some repairs and small renovations before we move in at the end of this month/beginning of next month.

Anyways, one of the things that really needs replacing is the front door. Because we are in a townhouse inside a complex, we have to deal with an HOA. When we were going through escrow, we were sent all of the docs for the HOA management, which includes a section in the Rules and Regulations (dated from 2001) which states what homeowners are responsible and what the HOA is responsible for. For the exterior door, it said the the association was responsible for the exterior door, frame, paint and trim; I am responsible for the screen (none now but I guess if we want one) and for the locks. Now, I called the Community Manager and she told me that we have to buy one ourselves... I went back and reread and I left her a voicemail last Tuesday saying exactly what the docs THEY gave me said and it states that THEY are responsible.

Fast forward to yesterday. Still hadn't heard back from her, so I googled the management company and got her email address, figuring maybe she would respond quicker to an email. She did. She told me that she spoke with the board and they said the Rules/Regs are wrong and front doors are owner's responsibility to replace. WTF?! So what do I do? Not sure how much the door is but I am kind of peeved because these are the docs they gave to me and I am only going by that. Shouldn't they have given me correct docs?

HELP?!?!?!?!?!?!

GeorgiaRiah

It really depends on how expensive of a door your want.  You can get them pretty cheap near my house.  There are a few salvage type companies that sell new doors as well.  I am sorry they are not working with you on it.

stephanie123456

@GeorgiaRiah : I have to get the same door as they use throughout the complex, so I can't even get a cute door that I might want

GeorgiaRiah

Awhh that sucks!  I guess it keeps your neighbors from getting a hot orange front door.  The basic front door at the salvage place was like $100 new.

duckie1905

Go to the next board meeting or pay a visit to the president of the board personally.  We had a similar issue a while back at our old condo regarding windows and really all it took was getting into the board's face a bit.  It is easy for them to hide behind the management company and not so easy when you are standing face-to-face.

Also, I'd request an updated copy of the rules and regs.

Janessadawn

They're probably saying they gave you an outdated copy as a way to get out of it. Are these the same docs that say you have to get a matching door? If so, and if they can't provide you with anything newer, let them know that since they're not following their own rules when it comes to installing a door for you, you're going to pick out a style you like and is the price you want to pay. See what they say then.

OctoberCAPA

I'd contact the board directly and ask that they honor the documents you received through escrow.  If those are the wrong documents, you need to receive the correct ones.  You can also involve your realtor - it seems to me the seller breached their disclosure obligations by not providing you with the correct documents.  Good luck and let us know how it goes.

GeorgiaRiah

I agree with the other posters on taking it front of the board but I would be calm.  I wouldn't want to start a battle over an inexpensive door with the HOA you are going to have to deal with for years to come.

MrsH1027

Is the problem that the rules/regs you were provided are out of date, or that they are incorrect, but the most up-to-date version?  If it's the latter, they have to follow them and pay for the door.  You have legal ground to stand on, so I would just calmly go to the board with your case.  If the rules/regs were updated, but you were not provided the correct version when you bought, then I don't think there is a lot you can do.  I wish there was!  We live in a townhome now, and I understand your frustrations completely!  Good luck!

stephanie123456

@MrsH1027 : It is the latter. At first I asked why I was not provided the most up-to-date documents, then I heard from the Community Manager that the rules are up-to-date, but they are wrong. She is the worst person to deal with. I've started to email her with my concerns so I can have written proof that she never gets back to me.

We are actually going to the HOA Board meeting tonight to show them the docs and our quote from the door company, which came out to $900 because they not only need to replace the door but the jamb and casing because they are cracked!!!!!!! Wish me luck!

MrsH1027

Good luck!  I know how frustrating it can be!

fluttaby32

Is there a signature on what they say they will do? Like is it a two-way contract with both your sig and someone's from HOA? Because in that case I would threaten to involve an attorney (for their violating the terms of the agreement). I bet they'd offer to buy you a door before you could even make that phone call.