NORTH MIAMI – People living in several
South Florida communities with Homeowner’s Associations
claimed they were living a nightmare and it was all because
of one property management company.
“No financial, forging elections,” said condo owner Manny
Ferreira.
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People living in several South Florida communities with Homeowner’s Associations claimed they were living a nightmare and it was all because of one property management company. |
Neighbors tell Local 10 that thousands of dollars in
maintenance fees appear to be unaccounted for. Owners said
they are stuck due to several liens on the property.
There is currently a lien on the building for non-payment of
the land lease since March. The amount owed was
approximately $25,000.
Trujillo explained for any owner who would like to sell and
move out, that means they can’t.
The association also owed $84,000 in penalties for fire code
violations, leading to another lien on the property.
Neighbors say they haven’t been able to use the community’s
pool and recreation center.
“Because we haven’t paid the recreation fee of $1,500 a
month and over since 2019,” Trujillo explained.
An invoice showed that balance was $63,000. But Trujillo
said owners have been paying their maintenance fees and
provided receipts to prove it. Local 10 visited BDM’s office
in Pompano Beach to ask Curtis directly about the
outstanding payments.
Curtis did not immediately come to the door at his office
but was inside. Cameras captured him peeking from behind a
corner several times before eventually opening the door. He
said he was unable to speak due to an ongoing zoom call, but
requested an email with questions.
Local 10 received an email from Curtis’ attorney who
disputed many of the owners’ claims but offered no proof.
For example, he claimed the recreation lease was up to date,
but a contact for the recreation center stated in an email:
“We have not been paid. I am not sure why the property
manager would say that. I repeat, we have not received any
payment.”
Meanwhile, Local 10 learned of several communities managed
by BDM where owners have very similar complaints.
One of those communities, the Fairways of Sunrise, is
currently suing BDM. Among the complaints, court records
revealed in 2020 the Fairways HOA received a settlement that
amounted to $440,000 for damage from Hurricane Irma.
But owners said they never saw that money. In court, Curtis
said he was unaware of any payout. But bank records from
that month showed his company BDM got a check from the HOA
for $439,000, nearly the exact same amount.
“Unfortunately, it’s an uphill battle for an owner to fight
this kind of mess in an association,” explained attorney
Alessandra Stivelman.” It shouldn’t be like that. But that’s
the reality.”
Stivelman specializes in condominium association law and
said the burden is on unit owners to keep an eye on their
board of directors and property manager. Getting rid of
either can be costly and time consuming.
“Ultimately I’d like to see more involvement by the police
department when there are allegations and more funds and
staff allocated to economic crimes,” said Stivelman.
The state’s Department of Business and Professional
Regulation oversees property management companies and has
cited BDM and properties it manages over prior complaints.
The DBPR is currently investigating new complaints from 3
Horizons East. A spokesperson for the agency told Local 10
it does have the authority to revoke a manager’s license,
which is something owners said needs to happen.
“We want to live in peace,” said Trujillo. “Bring us up to
date, tell us where all our money is, tell us who’s not
paying -- be honest.”
A spokesperson for the DBPR told Local 10 they were
reviewing current complaints and revocation of a license
would be an option they consider depending on the violation
found and what was determined in that review.