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All Forum Posts by: Shoshana Shulman

Shoshana Shulman has started 30 posts and replied 84 times.

Post: HOA running a scam....

Shoshana ShulmanPosted
  • Investor
  • efrat, israel
  • Posts 93
  • Votes 20

Thank you. Yes, to Chris Seveney,

I would appreciate a referral to a lawyer well versed and successful with crooked HOA and-or management companies who say they cannot locate documentation of pretty much anything.

It is in Maryland. To clarify, the Management Companies were changing....

As a side note, I was too deep into this purchase when I found out it had an HOA.........suffice it to say I will not purchase an HOA property again. That being said, this investment can still work for me if I have a lawyer on my side.

Post: HOA running a scam....

Shoshana ShulmanPosted
  • Investor
  • efrat, israel
  • Posts 93
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Chris Seveney:
Quote from @Shoshana Shulman:

I bought a rowhouse in the beginning of 2022. I have a great tenant paying market rent on time. I have a horrible HOA. The HOA that was there when I bought the house quickly changed to another HOA, and possibly a third HOA. It has made NO ONE responsible enough to provide me with documentation. Current problem has me stuck as to what to do.....About 6 months ago there was some sewer backup into the laundry room basement area of the house. It was found that it was due to another neighbor down the street having blocked up the sewer. Meanwhile, I found out that the sewer lines are connected. If I had known that, I would not have purchased the property. The HOA decided to hire a water mitigation or cleaning company that basically went to all the homes affected and cleaned up. Since my home had only a bit of dirty water in the laundry area, supposedly the mitigation company cleaned the area and set up fans for drying. I manage this from out of state and was not able to be present. My tenant, who has renters insurance as per the lease, said that he did not file any damages because he just had to throw out a few towels that were on the floor. Meanwhile, my tenant tells me that every once in a while, a tiny bit of dirty black water backs up in the laundry area of the basement. This tells me that the HOA did not actually remedy the cause of the problem. The kicker is that the HOA put a charge of almost $5,000.00 onto my monthly statement .I called them on it, and the lady says that the board decided that they are splitting the bill between me and the neighbor with whom I share a wall on one side. The other side is also shared with another neighbor. I told them that this had nothing to do with my tenant and the HOA has to either split the cost between all the houses under management equally, or charge the guilty party, or pay from their insurance. They said their insurance has a high deductible so they decided to split the bill between me and the next door neighbor. I told them that I wanted to see repair bills etc. and proof that the issue is actually solved. They do not respond to me. No matter what I say or write, they ignore me and continue to place this ridiculous charge on my monthly statement. After I complained that though they said it was for fixing damage, there was no damage to my unit, they added the word repairs next to the charge on my monthly statement. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.


1. Can you explain further. The HOA does not change, either the property manager change or the HOA board changed. which is it?

2. Get an attorney involved. I am sure the documents will state what is common area and what is your responsibility. 

If its in MD and you need an attorney, I can get you one. 


Post: HOA running a scam....

Shoshana ShulmanPosted
  • Investor
  • efrat, israel
  • Posts 93
  • Votes 20

I bought a rowhouse in the beginning of 2022. I have a great tenant paying market rent on time. I have a horrible HOA. The HOA that was there when I bought the house quickly changed to another HOA, and possibly a third HOA. It has made NO ONE responsible enough to provide me with documentation. Current problem has me stuck as to what to do.....About 6 months ago there was some sewer backup into the laundry room basement area of the house. It was found that it was due to another neighbor down the street having blocked up the sewer. Meanwhile, I found out that the sewer lines are connected. If I had known that, I would not have purchased the property. The HOA decided to hire a water mitigation or cleaning company that basically went to all the homes affected and cleaned up. Since my home had only a bit of dirty water in the laundry area, supposedly the mitigation company cleaned the area and set up fans for drying. I manage this from out of state and was not able to be present. My tenant, who has renters insurance as per the lease, said that he did not file any damages because he just had to throw out a few towels that were on the floor. Meanwhile, my tenant tells me that every once in a while, a tiny bit of dirty black water backs up in the laundry area of the basement. This tells me that the HOA did not actually remedy the cause of the problem. The kicker is that the HOA put a charge of almost $5,000.00 onto my monthly statement .I called them on it, and the lady says that the board decided that they are splitting the bill between me and the neighbor with whom I share a wall on one side. The other side is also shared with another neighbor. I told them that this had nothing to do with my tenant and the HOA has to either split the cost between all the houses under management equally, or charge the guilty party, or pay from their insurance. They said their insurance has a high deductible so they decided to split the bill between me and the next door neighbor. I told them that I wanted to see repair bills etc. and proof that the issue is actually solved. They do not respond to me. No matter what I say or write, they ignore me and continue to place this ridiculous charge on my monthly statement. After I complained that though they said it was for fixing damage, there was no damage to my unit, they added the word repairs next to the charge on my monthly statement. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Thank you. Your reply is very helpful.

Thank you both for your insights. You've been very helpful.

Has anyone found it economical to get insurance on home appliances (washer, dryer, dishwasher, HVAC, etc.)?

Any recommendations or advice, if I only have two units in which I would need to do this?

Thank you in advance.

I am in a situation now where I have expenses coming out of pocket. My tenant has renter's insurance, but apparently it doesn't cover leaking pipes or water damage from them. What sort of home insurance do you purchase for a home in which there is minimal but existing renter's insurance for the inside, and HOA insurance for the outside of the home? Thank you in advance.

Post: Who sues for damages

Shoshana ShulmanPosted
  • Investor
  • efrat, israel
  • Posts 93
  • Votes 20

In case anyone is interested, the HOA took care of all the houses with some sort of plumber and cleaning service.

Post: Who sues for damages

Shoshana ShulmanPosted
  • Investor
  • efrat, israel
  • Posts 93
  • Votes 20

My tenant informed me that the sewer was blocked by someone in a house at the end of the block. Since these are attached row homes all the homes basements are flooding. What do i do? I am out of the country. I do not know the people in the house that caused this. My tenant has tenants insurance because i require it. Who sues whom for damages? How to begin?

Post: Tenant overloading washer/dryer

Shoshana ShulmanPosted
  • Investor
  • efrat, israel
  • Posts 93
  • Votes 20

Thank you to anyone who can advise me in this situation. Tenants complained that the washer and dryer are not working. I sent a technician to trouble shoot. He said the washer would not empty because it was off balance and it was off balance due to the tenants overloading it. He said there is nothing wrong with the dryer other than the tenabts overloading it and then expecting it to dry everything..quickly. These are relatively new machines and it is the second time I have had someone out for troubleshooting. I did not pass any charges on to my tenants the first time. Now I think I will have to do so as they do not really want to be compliant with not overloading.....how would you handle this?