"HELP!" How to deal with irresponsible assocation?

Question

I recently purchased a house which managed by Action Property Managment.

During inspection of home, inspector addressed several trees are causing foundation issue with their roots and many vegitations are not taken cared at all.

I pay assotion fee which includes common area (my front yard) to be maintained by association (managment company).

After contacted the APM about 2 month ago, they promised to take care issue yet nothing has been done.  Even with numerous email convesation, they keep coming back with excuses (last one was they are hiring new landscaping company that was 3 weeks ago).

What is my course of action here?

Chris Clothier · Answer

Kou min Tan - You are in a difficult situation because you need the board to work with you, but if you are an absentee landlord that may be difficult.  Is it an investment property and is it outside of your area?

Kou min Tan · Answer

Thanks Simon for the tip.  Eveything about the home is great except the association.  I never had issue like this with other homes so I am so disappointed by this incident.

When home owners has one tiny violation they can spend hours to send letter and rush homeowners yet when it is their turn, this is what they do.  It tell you their charactor.

Simon Campbell · Answer

Kou min Tan Remember that the HOA boards function pretty much like a branch of the government. As a homeowner, your role in the board is essentially like a tax paying voter in the US. You have the right to call meetings, work to get board members ejected and persuade your homeowner neighbors to take action.

You should also check your HOA rules. There may be some information in there about an arbitration process. If so, start the process. This will cause them to take your complaints more seriously because the next step after that is legal action in court. And, that's what they don't want. It will cost them time and money.