Name of Author Withheld to Prevent Retaliation.

Published September 14, 2009

The best advice I could give to anyone thinking of purchasing a home in a Homeowners’ Association is don’t do it! You will regret it later many times over.

Our development is very nice with many amenities. It is in a great location and the homes are very nice and priced right. Most residents are just great people.

The developer was extremely smart in the way he marketed the home sales. It was truly where many persons aged 55 and over would like to live and retire “For the Best of Your Life,” as it was promoted.

We moved here not knowing very many owners except the ones that we met at the model homes before construction of our home and a couple owners we knew previously. We received the documents from the developer and read them. We were in agreement with most all the documents and rules and regulations wording at the time. They were basic documents that many communities start with. We knew little about Florida law at the time.

As time went on, we could see little groups forming and some people aligning themselves with each other. We paid no attention to these groups and went on with our lives. There were things that we would like to have seen changed but had the firm belief that once turnover of the association occurred, everyone would be in agreement and would work together.

After turnover of the association we elected our first board and thought everything would be great. We did not know that some board members and owners would start working for their own agendas immediately. Within a couple months we had two board members resign because of personal attacks and even threats by other board members. Shortly thereafter, we had two more resignations. It seemed like our once great community was under attack.

Everyone thought that things would get better as our elections came about. This was not the case. In fact things got even worse. Some of our board members banded together and started working for their own agendas. Our current president is a real “politician,” telling owners what they want to hear but doing what he wants to do all along.

The board hired a property management company that costs a fortune and provides little for the overall community. This company is just a drain on our money. Florida Statutes and our documents are being violated over and over by the board and by the management company, but little can be done to stop this abuse. Most owners have never read or care about the laws until they feel it in their bank accounts. The board has passed poor budgets, and poor contracts, because their lack of knowledge and or personal agendas. Illegal meetings called “workshops” are held. A board member changed our documents to something other than what was approved by the membership. Decisions are made before board meetings are held.

Now they want to change our documents so it will be easier for the board to increase assessments without membership vote. They want to be able to remove or change common property as the board chooses. They come up with rules and regulations that most owners do not understand. They selectively enforce our documents and rules and regulations. Rules and regulations are now over 30 pages in length.

Board members themselves violate the documents and rules and regulations, but are quick to reprimand others. They do not like owners to express opinions and they try to stop owners from speaking at any meetings.

If you object to any board motions, you will be black-listed.  Perhaps someone is making money from kickbacks from horrible contracts that have been awarded?  Why else would these contracts have been awarded, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars of owners’ money to be mismanaged? Most of us do not think it will get any better but only worse in the future.

Please don’t let the fast-talking salesperson cloud your judgment with praises of the amenities and the so-called “secure environment.” You may regret it later.