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Updated almost 6 years ago on . Most recent reply
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How to handle unreasonable operations manager in HOA area?
Greetings,
I have a rental that is in a HOA community. Recently the board has hired a new "Operations Manager" and her job is to go around detect architectural violations. I have a received a letter from her to pressure wash my fence , repair and paint dormers, clean gutters and fix a porch light. I didn't really think that these requests were unreasonable at first, so I went on and painted the dormers since they did not require any fixing based on my observation, I cleaned the gutters, fixed the light and lightly washed the fence since it wasn't that much dirty and plus I did not want to add to much pressure in order not to break the pickets. I called the office and advised them that I have completed the task and if she can come out and do the re-inspection.
A day later, she calls me on the phone and advises me that I haven't done anything she requested me to do. I was shocked at first, because I know I have performed the work to my best ability. I then told her that all these repairs are subjective matter and it can be left to an interpretation what looks good and what doesn't. She did not really like that I was confronting her and I sense a little bit of attitude on her end. I remained professional and advised her that I will speak with the board regarding the matter. Couple of days later she sends me a notice and advised me that I have to repair all of these items ASAP. In addition, she went on and send me a second list of items that she wants me to fix, which sort of shocked me, especially since she did not have these items listed on the first list until i challenged her. Now I feel like she is nit picking my property apart and I am now hesitant to even speak up, because I don't want to have any more retaliation against my property as I am already seeing it happening.
What I don't understand. Can she even perform these inspections since she is not a licensed contractor or handyman? After doing some more digging under her name in public records. I discovered that she and her husband own properties in the same community as investment properties. Isn't this a conflict of interest? How do we know that she is ethically inspecting her husband’s properties? I understand she is new to the job and she wants to show good work ethics, but come on lets be more reasonable. We should work together not against each other.
I haven't had a chance to speak with the board yet. I plan on making a call tomorrow to the office. Should I talk to her again, or completely by pass her?
I am sorry for the long message, please advise if anyone finds time and interests to read my boring concern. Thank you in advance.
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@Lynnette E. @Tchaka Owen @Thomas S.
Hey all, thank you for replying to my tread. I had a meeting with the president this morning. I explained to her my concerns and she listened to me and reacted immediately. She agreed that the 2nd notice was unnecessary, and that I can disregard that because that’s not how tne inspections are Being conducted. The president went on and inspected my property herself and advised me that everything looks good, but I did need to repaint my gutters since it’s missing some spots. She also advised to rinse my fence just a little bit more with applying More pressure.
Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the outcome.As I've told her all I want to do is be in compliance with the HOA. She advised me that this lady is new to this and she's learning as she goes along inspecting these properties. I told her that I didn't feel comfortable to speak up since I didn't want retaliation against my property. BecAuse the lady clearly was harassing me because I stood up for myself. President assured me that I would be fine, so I'll just have to trust her I guess.