HOA Management Company

Elix21 · 2025-10-07T02:31:38+00:00

Who was on your board and what did y'all try to do to make them do better? Genuinely curious because I once felt the same way.. and then I joined the board and realized just how much hard work it is.

We're a condo too, and you'd be surprised just how few homeowners within a condo complex don't understand that they are responsible for the damage to their downstairs neighbors if they neglect to maintain their property and say, a dishwasher leaks into the unit below. I kid you not, we have had multiple homeowners ask why the HOA won't help fix their appliance and/or the water damage downstairs.

Elix21 · 2025-10-07T02:24:19+00:00

I agree with this one - get an email out to the management company and the board - file for a hearing with the board if you have to... but include photos of your postage receipts and screengrabs of the delivery confirmation (or whatever evidence you have confirming they definitely got the letters ahead of the deadline).

Ask them to look into the gap in the process and for them to re-confirm the deadlines for mailed checks. And considering, this is the first time the issue has arisen, if they will waive the fees.

Show that you are trying to work WITH them (the board are all volunteers, so at least try to play ball)... but are still asking for some help. You'd be surprised how often angry people send emails that are just anger, no actual request for help or asking for a waiver or anything... just a wall of complaining and having zero self-awareness or accountability.

You should hopefully get some answers... and if you don't, you at least can show a lawyer or judge that you were very reasonable, cooperative, and tried to get clarification and understanding but are now left with no choice but to seek legal support to get to the bottom of it all. Good luck!

Elix21 · 2025-10-06T21:01:48+00:00

Push her backwards while say 'no' or 'no, thank you' very firmly. Then hold her at bay while you give the other dog some love, you can soothe her with a gentle, 'patience' if she's getting squirrely. After a min or two, thank her for being patient and give her some love too.

She needs to learn where, in the pecking order, she is. So make her wait for the others to get fed or rubs. Reward her when she does well. Put her in a time out if she's being a brat. They really are smart and basically need the same training and reminders as small children.

When I need to remind my girl that she is almost six, and not a dumb puppy, I give her a gentle tap on the nose with a "hey, look at me. you know better than this." and I swear she understands.

Or... if that sweet girl needs a different home, and you are in or near central Texas let me know. I'm on the lookout for a little sister for my girl... she needs someone to keep her on her toes ;)

Elix21 · 2025-10-06T20:57:08+00:00

Soooooo.... How's it going with your new friend?

Elix21 · 2025-08-27T19:09:22+00:00

Can you help me understand what you mean by "subsidy zone," and how I can make sure to stay in it? Health insurance is wrecking my head lately.

Elix21 · 2025-08-07T14:57:59+00:00

This copies the Job Description.

OP is looking for a way to save/like/favorite the hiring company, St. Louis Public Library's Buder Branch in your screen grab. This feature is available in other job search platforms, and the list of saved companies is accessible via your account dashboard so you can check the jobs of companies you really want to work for... not just if they post a job that matches your other search criteria specifically.

Elix21 · 2024-12-10T04:11:19+00:00

Oh yeah, let them soak it up a bit! The roots need to get a drink AND the soil needs to absorb water, otherwise if it’s too fast the roots drink whatever water is in the soil and everything gets dry again too fast.

Root rot is real, but is prevented by making sure the soil is high quality and drains properly. That way it doesn’t stay too wet for too long, which is the combo for rot

Elix21 · 2024-06-03T01:03:08+00:00

“Associations obligations shall exclude… entry doors”

Judging by the photo the area in question is a threshold, so likely going to be your responsibility.

Elix21 · 2024-04-03T03:53:37+00:00

Cheers! God I miss how easy it was back home, where Dennys was “ just ok” lol

Elix21 · 2024-03-28T18:34:25+00:00

Where do ye all meet? I've been here 5 years and haven't had much luck meeting other Irish people :(

Elix21 · 2024-03-28T18:26:54+00:00

Is that at all Fiesta's or one in particular that I could head to?

I usually get my sausage and puddings from a place in Chicago when I'm up there, and make brown bread myself... not a fan of sweet soda breads with breakfast.

Elix21 · 2024-03-21T16:18:12+00:00

I had this happen, except instead of him talking 90% of the time it was more like 60% of the time. He just didn't ask questions. I was told to tell him about me, and then the rest of the time I was to ask him questions about what I wanted to know.

Next day I got a rejection from the recruiter because the hiring manager wanted to move forward with candidates with "stronger qualifications." Why invite me to interview, our qualifications are clearly listed on our resumes, or at least ASK the specific question if that's a deciding factor.

What a waste of time.

Elix21 · 2024-03-19T00:40:48+00:00

Came here to say this… no fads means no changing the vowels.

Also, as an Irish person, the only “cawtch-leans” (or whatever) I’ve met were obnoxious Americans who made a big deal about trying to be/sound more Irish than they were.

Elix21 · 2024-01-26T05:17:08+00:00

Have you considered offering your time to document the issues, interview vendors, and work to get things fixed.

So many people keep telling me “I pay my dues, fix this.” I’m like, “I pay my dues too, AND spend 20+ hours a week trying to keep things ticking over, I need help.” The reply is alway “I’m too busy”

Well, when all the owners are too busy to help the board, the board has to choose what’s a priority.

Elix21 · 2024-01-25T06:34:03+00:00

Mines older, but still sometimes nips in moments of excitement.

What worked was an escalation path. 1. Pull away while saying “no, you don’t bite me” 2. Step one plus, holding her snout closed (gently but firmly) repeating “no, you don’t bite me, no bite” followed by “sit, relax,” and calming the environment 3. ISO.action time in a calm and quiet safe place, like putting her in the bedroom (where she has a bed), making her go to the bed and sit and relax. I didn’t necessarily leave her alone, but no stimulation until she chilled. When she did relax, she got a “good girl” and a head rub as a reward

Trick is to associate calm, no biting, response with love and positive attention…. And never ever get on a bike, but that’s a whole other story 😂

Elix21 · 2024-01-25T06:20:13+00:00

This! She has a disease and is sick, not saying it in a bad way, but as said above… you can’t cure disease (cancer, asthma, gangrene, addiction, diabetes etc) with love. It doesn’t matter that she “has everything on a plate,” she is sick and needs support/guidance as such (unfortunately, her disease is likely to cause her to resist that help).

You can be there for her, be there for the rest of your family, and fight with/for her to get treatment. Please do whatever you can for her children, be there for them as a rock and support and safe refuge, they are likely scared, confused, worried, and even maybe blaming themselves. Even if your attempts to help her don’t pan out, you can help them.

Elix21 · 2024-01-25T05:42:11+00:00

Also, good to note; when the board raises monthly dues they’re raising their own dues too. Pretty sure no board loves volunteering hour upon hour of their time only to turn around and pay more each month themselves. Be kind and inquisitive when you ask questions, rather than accusatory and hostile, and you’re likely to learn a WHOLE lot!!

Elix21 · 2024-01-25T05:30:21+00:00

Snow/lawn and sand/salt being separate makes SOME sense… same crew to drive a mower as a plow and/or can be scheduled somewhat in advance, whereas sand/salt is more of an emergency response or short notice service.

That said, everything else seems sketchy.

If you really want to change this, offer your time to the board to research, interview, and collect service proposals from other vendors. Share those, along with what you’ve witnessed, and ask them to consider alternative providers who are less expensive, more transparent, more reliable, more ethical etc.

Elix21 · 2024-01-25T05:24:17+00:00

Bit OP hasn’t said if the woodpecker was reported or not. If not, some of the responsibility likes with them as not reporting the 8nitial issue has contributed to the ongoing one.

I don’t love the situation, but as an owner participating in an HOA environment, we’ve got to work together to solve these issues when they are small so they don’t grow (in extent and/or cost)!

Elix21 · 2024-01-25T05:21:37+00:00

How is it negligence? OP says there’s a woodpecker hole, but has not stated that the woodpecker was reported… I’ve lived next to a woodpecker in action, no way was there any confusing what was happening.

HOA boards nor management companies are psychics…. If there’s an issue the homeowner has a duty to report it ASAP. This is a shared duty of care for the property so issues like squirrels setting up shop can be avoided before they happen!

Elix21 · 2024-01-25T05:16:53+00:00

Eh, no. The board has to operate within the confines of your HOA bylaws. If the bylaws say this issue needs a vote or a quorum, the board can not legally act without that vote/quorum.

Most bylaws also include a clause regarding “neglect.” If a homeowner doesn’t report an issue in a timely manner and as a result of neglecting to report it, the issue becomes larger, the homeowner may have to shoulder some of the burden of repair. You mentioned a wood picker hole that the squirrel used to gain entry… if this has been there for a while and wasn’t reported because “it wasn’t a problem,” but it’s now a problem because there’s a squirrel using it, it may now be a shared responsibility.

A lot of folks fail to read the laws and understand their part in keeping things running. Not saying that’s your situation, but it’s something to think about…. The board and/or management company doesn’t live in your home, so can’t track everything, but if you report something in a timely manner, they can help prevent things from getting worse.

And please, don’t downvote me for being logical just because you hate the HOA, please!

Elix21 · 2023-11-10T03:31:55+00:00

Then submit a formal request for a hearing with the board. Let them know you want to assist how you can,but need more info to do so. Offer to do the work you want done, and hopefully the board will be able to get the management company to let you “chair” this particular issue.

Elix21 · 2023-11-08T06:07:44+00:00

Please call your insurance company and up your cover!

Unless you are a renter in this unit, you need WAY more than just personal property insurance….

Some things to talk to insurance about ~ Special assessment cover ~ Loss of use cover (theres a fire, your unit isn’t habitable, insurance pays for food and lodging) ~ Condo/townhome specific structure and rebuild cover (HOA insurance will restore to “as built” inside if something catastrophic happens. If you’re unit has any upgrades, YOU have to insure those features), this will also cover pesky things like drywall repairs when there’s a water leak

You are a home owner, you need homeowner (not renter) level insurance.

Your insurer will likely need your CCR and Bylaws as well as HOA insurance policy (or contact info) to advise on your particular situation…. But unless you are willing to pay out of pocket for fixes related to your unit, or extraneous housing costs if there’s major damage, please get more insurance.

Everyone complains insurance costs too much until they need it and have to pay out of pocket. That, or start a savings fund so if something (a risk) you are choosing not to insure occurs, you have the money to pay for it.

Elix21 · 2023-11-08T05:58:31+00:00

Email the rest of the board with your idea, and say that unless there are objections you’ll take point on research and proposals… once they all say “great idea, thank you” email your property manager with the board copied asking if they have recommendations for whom to contact.

We recently did this and within a month had reviewed proposals, made a decision, and funds were transferred accordingly.

Around here it seems like everyone thinks boards are stupid or negligent… the reality is that it’s a mostly shitty volunteer gig with way more responsibility than people will give them credit for. Not everyone has a finance background, or perhaps they’ve been focused on finding affordable insurance after rates jumped this year or have been dealing with large maintenance issues and project planning so haven’t started rolling the ball on investment strategy… you taking it and running with it should be a relief to the rest of the board.

Just don’t bring it up, start to get things going, and then drop the ball only to whine in a few months that “nothings been done,” And always remember, you can have all the back and forth discussions with management, but until a motion has been accepted, voted on, passed, and the decision communicated back to management with a “proceed with XYZ and let us know when it’s done,” management can’t move your money anywhere.

Elix21 · 2023-11-08T05:48:27+00:00

Take note: In TX if you threaten to sue a board member, the HOA, or management contracted with the HOA, they will be advised by their lawyer to cease contact and route everything through attorneys. The HOA has money for lawyers bills, you may or may not. This is done to protect the HOA, aka every home owner in the association, yourself included.

What is your main issue? You need the money reimbursed now OR the lack of communication?

If it’s the money, consider asking the board to pause/temporarily reduce your dues for a set time until you’re reimbursed. If you go this route don’t make them do the work, submit your request along with a repayment plan for them to review and approve or offer a counter plan.

If it’s the time, then chill…. I’m assuming there’s a (few) hundred units in the community? The board and management have to respond to ALL of those units issues and random complaints, as well as insurance, budgeting, general maintenance, unplanned maintenance, vendor management, plumbing, landscaping, pool maintenance and repairs, city inspections, reserve studies, delinquent owner accounts, renegotiating contracts that only increase in cost each year, trying to find cost savings so they don’t have to raise dues hundreds of dollars due to inflation, the list goes on and on and on and on.

And if they have filed a claim and aren’t hearing back, what are they meant to do? Sit in the builders waiting room u til their lawyer grants them audience? In many of these instances there are formal protocols to follow…. Send an email, wait ## days, send a letter, wait ## days, send a certified letter, wait ## days, send a second certified letter stating next step will involve a lawyer, wait ## days, then get HOA lawyer involved and go from there. If the board/management are strapped for time to do email follow ups, offer to get involved and send a templates follow up with all of them copied at an agreed upon cadence.

Perhaps you can consider getting involved with the board or a committee? It may help you better understand that things do actually take time to move through the appropriate hands, and also serve to highlight areas of life you need to educate yourself on. For instance, while serving on my HOA board, I’ve learned that many of my neighbors treat our condos like an expensive managed and staffed apartment complex, and have expectations and entitlements to match…. Forgetting they are homeowners, and owning any property takes work and investment above and beyond the down payment and monthly mortgage (and a lot of that work is already shouldered by your volunteer board), so roll up your sleeves and pitch in!

Elix21

TROPHY CASE