Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Breaking and entering
Another Unit was broken into. Homeowners should consider taking stronger actions, such as alarms systems, etc. A neighborhood Blockwatch program is discussed at every Annual Meeting, but no one has decided to participate.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Delinqencies
This is from an article in a Seattle newspaper:
Question: When homeowners in our large condominium association fall behind on their dues, our recourse has been to put a lien on the property. Realistically, are there other avenues of recovery we could pursue? Perhaps take them to small-claims court? Or turn them over to a collection agency?
Answer: Has your association been trying to economize by filing liens without a lawyer's help? If so, you've probably figured out that "a lien by itself isn't self-executing," says Mercer Island attorney Kris Sundberg.
In other words, just having a lien doesn't deliver the bucks. Association officers would then have to continue to pursue the delinquent owners.
Alternately, you can take your case to small-claims court. That will put the burden on the board members to file, show up, and present a case - an additional duty they may not be willing to entertain. And even if they do proceed and get a judgment, it won't automatically pay off, which means you must continue to pursue the owner.
As for using a collection agency, be prepared to pay the agency 40 percent or more of anything it collects as service fees.
The final option is hiring an attorney experienced in condominium law.
Question: When homeowners in our large condominium association fall behind on their dues, our recourse has been to put a lien on the property. Realistically, are there other avenues of recovery we could pursue? Perhaps take them to small-claims court? Or turn them over to a collection agency?
Answer: Has your association been trying to economize by filing liens without a lawyer's help? If so, you've probably figured out that "a lien by itself isn't self-executing," says Mercer Island attorney Kris Sundberg.
In other words, just having a lien doesn't deliver the bucks. Association officers would then have to continue to pursue the delinquent owners.
Alternately, you can take your case to small-claims court. That will put the burden on the board members to file, show up, and present a case - an additional duty they may not be willing to entertain. And even if they do proceed and get a judgment, it won't automatically pay off, which means you must continue to pursue the owner.
As for using a collection agency, be prepared to pay the agency 40 percent or more of anything it collects as service fees.
The final option is hiring an attorney experienced in condominium law.
