HOA in Gilbert under fire for how its spending homeowners' money

An HOA in Gilbert is spending a lot of money on legal fees, and lawyers and residents aren't happy about it.

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[@christopherroberts5659]

HOA's need less power, and more accountability.

[@ajax7ox729]

Free market 😊

[@bubbajones4522]

@@ajax7ox729 No it's not the free market as they hide behind the law. In a free market we'd have checks and balances that apply justice.

[@southendbos]

Members also need to attend board meetings, read the minutes, and attend annual budget meetings.

[@jamesalderman5387]

Need to be outlawed. No entity should have more power than the government, with none of the safeguards of checks and balances. Everything that HOAs purport to regulate is already governed by city code. Everything that HOAs are supposedly needed to fund are already fundable with a Public Improvement District. Zero reason for HOAs to continue to exist.

[@bubbajones4522]

@@jamesalderman5387 I don't think you've thought that through. No community management means no community assets like pools, playgrounds or common areas. How exactly will condo communities operate?

[@RSKLove]

The lawyers are loving this nonsense.

[@AJXOXO-vz1pn]

The HOA lawyer knows his claims are BS, but if he can get the HOA Board to believe it, then it’s a lot of billable hours

[@bubbajones4522]

We're going through this now. The previous HOA association president used our bank account as her own personal entertainment fund. She opened a debit card and racked up thousands on food and other non related expenses. The management company was and is also helping cover the theft. The HOA lawyer made thousands by handling all member letters such as violation letters that were once the responsibility of the management company. The lawyer sent out hundreds at $350 each. Your grass is too long...$350. We took back the board, fired the management company and replaced the lawyer. Getting assistance from the government (Florida, DBPR) is fruitless as they refuse to assist with anything even though its their job to oversee HOA's and management companies. We're also near bankruptcy so paying for help isn't an option. They all need to be in jail.

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

@@bubbajones4522 more of the same stuff like the big fani mattress problem.

[@alexmiles40]

It's not in the Power Ranch HOA CC&Rs? The HOA is going to lose and all that money will be wasted paying attorneys. Poor homeowners! They need to get rid of their HOA board members ASAP

[@wvp07]

I think someone should look into if there’s a relationship between the HOA board and the law firm. They don’t have a case yet they keep working over money. Something smells maggoty.

[@darknagaadventures7884]

If they cannot maintain things at the same level that they expect owners to maintain, then every fine they issue is hypocritical. Most HOA's need to be disbanded, and audited, with criminal charges for any misdeed

[@ajax7ox729]

It's called free enterprise

[@darkstarmkv]

HOAs are a joke

[@Pinkorchid72]

Truly

[@DaveP-uv1ml]

All of those homeowners featured in the segment should seriously consider running for a seat on the HOA board. That is what you do when you’re not happy with your HOA is you don’t throw your hands up and say the HOA’s are bad. This is a people problem if you don’t have the right people who know how to run things then you get them out of there and replace them with people who do. And that’s what elections are for. That’s the opportunity to do this. These people can very easily go walk to their neighbors and introduce themselves and announce their candidacy and give their reasons and concerns that are not being meant and why those homeowners are to vote for them. They’ll most likely get elected that way. Saying the HOA’s are bad because you have a people problem is the same as saying that government is evil because you have a people problem. You deal with people problems by getting better people not throwing the system out.

[@ajax7ox729]

You hate black people

[@SweetTea2]

Which is why I refuse to live in one

[@dragoonzen]

Amen

[@mako9673]

It sounds like the HOA filed the lawsuit for their company, not as a matter of representing the home owners.

[@turkey1337]

Hence using HOA money instead of the company money to pay for a losing lawsuit.

[@aidenalamo6262]

If I were a landlord or HOA president, there would be an itemized list of true expenses going out. Also, the tenants would get a copy of it each month after they pay their monthly dues. This would include seasonal tasks, such as dates when people shoveled snow, plowed snow, and cut the grass during the spring and summer.

[@Tommy-rf9sw]

The winner of the 2 will be determined by whoever can provide the most “donations” to the elected officials that have the most power in that area.

[@Whoddathunk]

The lawyer representing the HOA is a friend of the program & milking the residents…..

[@ajax7ox729]

You don't like the rules. You can move change my mind

[@trendel13]

@@ajax7ox729 found the HOA board member

[@AJXOXO-vz1pn]

It’s true. Others are saying the same thing on social media. I bet there is some financial benefit to the HOA President that incentivizes him to select this particular HOA Atty.

[@bubbajones4522]

Our HOA lawyer made a deal with the management company to off load all violation letters to the lawyer at $350 each. The management company in the past charged us a flat fee which equated to about $15 each letter. This went on for a few years before all reserves were depleted and the residents found out. We're now facing bankruptcy and will need thousands in assessments to pull out.

[@Marva123]

@@ajax7ox729 That is such a loser thing to say. Instead of trying to fix the solution you just runaway. I bet you are a coward and pathetic

[@marklanza5023]

Disband HOAs!

[@eattherich9215]

Band of thieves.

[@domfer2540]

Move.

[@couchmayne4351]

@@domfer2540you’re probably one of those HOA losers that does stuff for them for free

[@zeke5491]

Always corruption when it’s “other people’s money “

[@fernandoprieto2865]

Asian lady is really pretty. I would be happy to be her handy man

[@benproffitt5957]

Lawsuits should be paid by the hoa developer and not by the homeowners. Sounds highly illegal to me, funneling money for the owners business.

[@Josf3]

HOA Should be outlawed

[@mariusfacktor3597]

Imagine being forced to spend your money in a fight to ban families from having a home. That HOA is irresponsible.

[@irwinsaltzman979]

Ever heard the term NIMBY. Normally the public zoning board does the blockage.

[@ac5814]

I hate HOA.

[@Lzrdman91]

Which ambulance chaser is sleeping with the HOA board.

[@captainjack5529]

Had a friend move to Scottsdale Arizona from a small New England town. Came home the first Saturday to a yellow tag on the front door that said, “mow lawn” Came home Sunday to a red tag on the front door that said, “mow lawn penalty pending” Came home Monday to his new Remax sign that said “for sale”

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

😅

[@emmyreyes3165]

First of all why they are using this people money to build to me is a big violation.

[@jmill5995]

lol that developer got over on the hoa

[@fourmilli]

Thank goodness I’m renting in Power Ranch!! Leaving this fall for sure!

[@jsch9173]

As a former President of my coop board in NYC, boards are required to keep minutes of their meetings, which are available for inspection. They are also required to have an annual shareholders meeting and elections. The homeowners need to get busy going through the HOA rules and hiring their own attorney if the board doesn’t respond. They also need to put together a slate of candidates and vote the current board out.

[@prenticehammond2003]

Why does a rental vs owner have anything to do with the HOA fees. Wouldn't the owner of the rental property still have to pay the HOA fee and pass that on to the renter?

[@turkey1337]

My thoughts exactly. Whoever the true owner is, whether it's the condo owner or the landlord renting it out, wouldn't one of those people have to pay the HOA fee and thus pass it on to whoever the actual tenant is?

[@patricial.6758]

The HOA is correct. These were intended as condos but are now apartments. Apartment: residential building made up of individual units that are owned by and managed on behalf of one owner. Condominium: Residential building of individual units owned by distinctly separate owners. There may be a management company for the building overall and the common use areas, but a renter of a unit reports to the owner of the unit, not to the management company.

[@rembassmaster]

I would not live in a HOA.

[@OCVeritas]

Members of the Power Ranch HOA board are likely getting kickbacks from the legal firm for throwing them a 6-digit bone.

[@paradise6606]

Never buy in an HOA. It only holds you hostage for what ever they want to spring on you next.

[@offbrandsoup2579]

Ban HOAs

[@oACE20o]

I would never buy a home in a HOA. Build your own fence put up your own cameras. simply put.

[@eattherich9215]

It's a "planned community". They always have a HOA. People don't seem to realise the staggering overreach of these fascist mini states.

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

The HOA system is one of the most evil things that has ever happened, in the United States of America.

[@mrbond9882]

If someone buys land, & builds home on it, they can do whatever tf they want with them.

[@rxtf]

HOA's need to be outlawed nationwide.

[@jeanneardinger3664]

Ridiculous. Its snobs looking down on renters

[@REALflat1]

Rule #1, never buy a house in a HOA. Rule #2, see rule #1.

[@mefford67]

America desperately needs to be reacquainted with accountability in every possible way!

[@cambo1200]

The fact he says that the litigation money could have been used to make the condos more luxurious is complete BS.

[@PandaMan02]

Worried about your HOA? Are they not performing their duties required of them in the HOA contract? Vote to join your HOA into HOAA, The Home Owners Association Association, if they're not holding up their duties, we'll fine them and lein out their properties and repossess their Association!

[@r.o.9356]

HOA’S suck they treat has if we’re children! I need to ask permission for everything!!

[@me8042]

They show pictures of 7 of the most despicable, corrupt in their area.

[@LisaGrace]

Look up legal definition of a condo vs. apartment. If he is renting them out--they are apartments and not allowed. Condos are bought and sold individually.

[@vivalaleta]

Greedy HOA - it's going to build condos for rich people then realized it could make more money renting. They want to make all of us renters.

[@TheMattLeighton]

I don’t understand what the lawsuit is claiming. This HOA seems to be burning through money for no reason.

[@yousifalex]

Someone on the council owns the law firm probably

[@coreytrevor3910]

they gonna spend more then 10 times fighting it and still lose the money. What a joke. Spending millions to gain an extra 100k a year.

[@benjaminten3596]

Arizona Is Need To Help The Home Owners , Renting Or Owned

[@MrBobochow]

The attorney told the HOA this would be an easy win ?

[@virginia3222]

Exactly how would having rental units near an HOA property affect the value of units in the HOA? It doesn’t and can’t. This is a giveaway for the attorneys. A scam. Especially since the HOA property is not being well-maintained.

[@jayralston2305]

we have a litigation against our builder and i'm wondering the same how much and why is this taking so long

[@domfer2540]

HOA and CCD money belongs to the developer. What they spend all or a portion of the money is up to you. It may be different according to the state. This is the reason why a developer builds home, make money.

[@scottleggejr]

Collects residuals from service fees from HOA.

[@wvp07]

So they are going to spend $240,000 to save $125K. How’s that safe space looking now? 😂😂😂

[@clementthurn1992]

Ridiculous !!!!!!!!!

[@dwilliams854]

States need to regulate HOA's authority. They shouldn't be allowed to operate as supreme powers.

[@Maybe1Someday]

Someone on the HOA board has some lawyer friends and is getting some kind of kickback for using their services over nad over. Id investigate the lawyers too.

[@Mike-gc9ih]

I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone that lives in an HOA

[@priscillawagner6205]

HOA's should be illegal. At the very least, board members should be an unpaid volunteer position

[@seand2711]

The HOA is wasting the homeowners' money on this frivolous lawsuit that the HOA is going to lose.

[@stevenpike7857]

I will never ever ever buy into an HOA. Anyone who complains about their HOA can cry me a river - you ELECTIVELY got into it and agreed to it. Grow up and take responsibility for your shitty choices.

[@paulbranch5454]

Just say NO to a HOA.

[@donnyko1539]

Our board embezzle the money hasn't done anything

[@jimc1466]

They act just like politicians

[@JohndEdmond-oy9lj]

How the Ordinary , hard working Americans get the shaft from so many sources that claim to be there to " protect" them .

[@goldog2816]

Why not publish the names and faces of the directing members of the HOA ,, transparency and accountability go a long way in making people consider their actions ,, A great question to always ask and find out is ' Who are They ' ..........

[@gotwalk]

Why are the HOA fees for the rented condos different from the other HOA fees in the project?

[@brendan9698]

I blame the Judge for milking the tax payers for all he can. He can pick up the phone and ask the county tax office, if they classify a rented condo as a condo or apartment. We have to start paying judges for what they accomplish, not for how long they can drag a dispute out.

[@Xenon-4300]

If they are condos that can be rented out then there is technically zero difference between the two. This makes no sense.

[@patricial.6758]

Condos are owned by individual and distinct owners. Apartments are owned by one owner. There is a difference, but I can see why it would be thought of as very little difference to this builder. The builder is wrong to continue to call these condos.

[@waterwitch8902]

Buying a home in an HOA is a money pit, dont do it.

[@geneard639]

Whats wrong? The HOA is having a hissy.

[@NORCAL609]

Give your HOA a citation

[@GeorgeG472]

Well, whoever on the HOA board approved this gross mismanagement of funds needs to be removed AND their contribution to the fund needs to be increased significantly.

[@jsch9173]

A good HOA, which this clearly is not, would communicate with the homeowners on a regular basis about the lawsuit and why the board is pursuing it.

[@itsmisterchris]

Same had happened to us, Lorraine hernandez did same thing in Chicago to us

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

Is there an HOA that is not evil?

[@welcome_to_the_collapse]

lol. If you buy a property in an HOA, you're asking for nothing but trouble.

[@BradleySmith1985]

the state needs to have max & min standards set so this can not happen.

[@davidcantor293]

The Summerlin HOA here in Las Vegas brings in MILLIONS every year and I find that crazy.

[@Estellbel1968]

I tell you all HOA does harass people they need to be kicked out of all communities period I remember I missed couple a payment’s and I couldn’t use the stupid pool cause of it it’s ridiculous

[@ExceptionalLibra]

Condominiums are not apartments. They're just being petty. Using HOA fees for an unnecessary legal battle makes no sense. They want the potential revenue, that's all.

[@agmcroom2374]

Never move into an HOA

[@qwenqwen1476]

Only way to live in HOA community is to be a board member! Those on the board…the rules DONT apply to them🤫

[@GoogleMe-en9sg]

Lawyers taking advantage. All they have to do is change the declaration to not allow rentals. If they can't get the votes to do that because the developer now has a say, the lawyers who completed the sale screwed up.

[@cyan1616]

How many HOAs are owned and operated by foreign companies or developers? They're buying up all the apartment buildings and properties.

[@azeleapark]

The lawyers are the *winners!*

[@JeremiahMendozaMajorSgt]

They try to extend it for years but do a quick settlements do not prolong it it's a lie the longer you wait the easier it is to infrastructure a new business

[@dhowto3005]

No single family home needs an HOA! All HOAs in single family communities need to be disbanded! The property management company needs to be fired! Homes in none HOA single family communities sell for more than Homes in HOA communities.... Federal, state, and local government need to limit the power these HOAs have!!! HOAs waste homeowners who pay dues money!

[@TheRealEdStoner]

HOAs are a license to print money for overpriced contractors and lawyers.

[@irwinsaltzman979]

So the residents should vote out the board. That is if they disagree with the HOA.

[@werberderber6209]

One big problem is there usually isn't anybody else running to get the spot, also they say no political signs in the yards or common areas so nobody knows who is new and trying to get elected, people will then generally vote for known names.

[@irwinsaltzman979]

Mr. Werb..1. So if no one else runs for a board seat seems like board actions acceptable. .

[@werberderber6209]

@@irwinsaltzman979 Where the hell did you read that? Just wondering, I never said that. These people that complain about their current board will not step up. I personally wouldn't want to come in behind people on this board. They should be taking it to court to stop the bleeding of the HOA financials. I would never buy a house an an HOA, no thank.

[@irwinsaltzman979]

Mr.werb. I live in an HOA community. The rules require monthly meetings, an annual election of 1/3 the board, a capitalization fund , an annual budget with a report to the community once per year. While nothing is perfect it does keep the common areas clean, there has been money to rebuild the pool and pool house etc. Our community does have problems finding people to serve on the board. No pay and many hours.

[@youtubewatcher4603]

I despise HOAs, but what the developer described sure sounded like apartments.

[@eltigremadre]

Sounds like a stupid thing to have to deal with

[@BookJay35]

Those dollars are going to personal accounts of friends and family that's where it's going to.

[@Oldguard_8]

Pass on HOA's.

[@SW-gz4ir]

Only a fool would get a place/house/home that has HOA !!!!

[@tolowreading6807]

HOA's banking paperwork should be public, to the Home Owners at the very least. And all expenses should be subject to homeowners approval by vote. That being said, I will never own a home subject to CC&R's again. The Feds, the State, the County, the City all exercise controls over what you can and can't do with "your" property, HOA's just add another layer of control. And they All want money from you.

[@paulgermano7837]

I think of the HOAs as professional robbers.

[@tjewett1967]

The "developer" NEVER intended to sell the units. They always planned to rent only. They'll destroy the neighborhood with the filth they rent to.

[@George-hl2xm]

It probably would be cheaper to just buy the land from the developer

[@RandyWells24]

simple the builder should give the OPTION to BUY or RENT

[@romariohylton3963]

Majority of Americans do not feel sorry for people who live in HOA communities. People like her trip over them selves just so they could live in an HOA community in nine out of 10 it’s a status symbol that they coveted Even though HOA communities have been in the media for for closing on homeowners property for raising the HOA fees out of nowhere and picking and choosing which home owner get to follow the HOA rules and who don’t without any ramification

[@meganc243]

I'll go homeless again before I EVER live in a HOA area.with all these crap stories on hoa..why do people still go for this crap?there is a lot of stupidity in this world.jeesh

[@mandybradley3079]

You pay dues to hire their lawyers, but you need to hire your own lawyer also.

[@JeremiahMendozaMajorSgt]

No more hoa fees

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

they the lawyers , must keep their G's under a mattress too.