Dropping out of homeowners association not an option
Q: Our gated community is made up of 51 single-family housing units. There are no condos or town homes, and the complex has no pool or gym.
Every time I request an expense report from the homeowners association, I get nothing. Why do we even have the association? How does one remove himself from being a member of a homeowners association?
A: We’re sure a lot of people would like to remove themselves from a homeowners association. Some are poorly managed groups with power-hungry board members who are more interested in preserving their fiefdoms than in solving problems and making life better for all of the residents.
You can’t, however, just leave a homeowners association. It was probably set up as a master planned community under state law. You might be able to disband it, but the way to leave is to sell your home and move.
If that isn’t feasible, we would suggest taking other steps.
At least once a year, the board should issue a report to residents on the budget, expenses and state of the association. Request a copy of that report; it should include the information you seek.
If the subdivision has hired a management company to handle maintenance issues, you could contact the company and request the information.
You can start hounding individual board members for information. Don’t stalk them, of course, but you can certainly drop by their homes to ask questions.
You can and should start attending board meetings. You should be able to get a copy of the board minutes at the meeting for at least the previous meeting, and someone there should be able to get you more information.
When you find out how the association’s money is being spent, you’ll have a choice: Step back or lean in. If you agree that the money is being wellspent, step back and let others continue to manage the association. If you don’t like what you see, get involved. Start attending meetings regularly, gather support among your neighbors and run for the board.
Send questions to Real Estate Matters, 361 Park Ave., Suite 200, Glencoe, IL 60022, or contact author Ilyce Glink and lawyer Samuel Tamkin through her website, www.think glink.com.