Tenant frustrated HOA failed to fix drainage issue in unit
As we write this, we’re trying to imagine why your HOA canceled your work. We wonder if, in investigating your issue, they found a much bigger and more expensive structural issue. Maybe some of your neighbors are also experiencing the issue. Maybe they’re deciding whether to undertake a major asbestos abatement project.
Depending on the size and age of your building and the cost to fix that problem, the HOA might have decided to wait and spend more time coming up with the right solution. It’s also possible the true cost of the repair is so large that a special assessment would need to be imposed. This could also account for the delay.
Your best bet is to talk to a human being about what’s going on. Schedule a meeting with the manager for your association or the HOA board. Try to find out whether misinformation about asbestos is at the root of the problem or if there is a larger, more serious issue the board is trying to resolve.
Once you have all this information, you can decide whether the HOA is delaying a response unnecessarily or are nearing a solution to your problem.
If you get nothing from the association and the problem continues, you may have to consult with an attorney who focuses their practice on community association issues. With the attorney’s help, you may then be able to resolve your issues with the HOA.
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(Ilyce Glink is the author of “100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask” (4th Edition). She is also the CEO of Best Money Moves, a financial wellness technology company. Samuel J. Tamkin is a Chicago-based real estate attorney. Contact Ilyce and Sam through her website, ThinkGlink.com.)
©2024 Ilyce R. Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
