tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060417.post2547355056060483005..comments2023-11-05T06:18:25.377-06:00Comments on The Privatopia Papers: Billions needed to upgrade America’s leaky water infrastructure - The Washington PostEvan McKenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04479661304143631524noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060417.post-40562663709095375222012-01-03T13:11:05.499-06:002012-01-03T13:11:05.499-06:00The problems that arise from privatization are exa...The problems that arise from privatization are exacerbated - not cured - by "solutions" that promote further privatization.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060417.post-22067172193768074292012-01-03T11:32:40.807-06:002012-01-03T11:32:40.807-06:00The problem with reserve studies is that they are ...The problem with reserve studies is that they are a pretextual report for the purposes of generating more revenues for the HOA attorneys and HOA management companies.<br /><br />Invariably, the study will show that there are insufficient reserves. This results in a push by the management companies for "higher assessments". The management companies, of course, are placing the funds in management company operating accounts - not HOA accounts. In addition, the additional assessments create financial hardships and therefore an opportunity for "late fees", "collection fees", "payment plan fees", etc. Should the homeowner become delayed in paying the higher assessments, its an automatic opportunity for the HOA attorney to demand $300-$600 for a single letter. The HOA attorney and management company then engage in a fee pyramiding scheme for mutual profit to the detriment of their client HOA and its members.<br /><br />The conduct will invariably promote a dispute - the legal fees for the HOA will of course be drawn from the "reserve" funds. The knowledge that a large amount is stockpiled only drives the HOA industry to come up with more creative ways of divesting it from the homeowners and HOA.<br /><br />The solutions proposed by the state inevitably fail when the solution is further privatization.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060417.post-63383238826610069292012-01-03T10:40:35.958-06:002012-01-03T10:40:35.958-06:00You know what's almost as scary? Very few res...You know what's almost as scary? Very few reserve studies for associations investigate the underground infrastructure of water/sewer lines, electrical grid, gas lines, etc. They deteriorate like anything else, but rarely get any real consideration. Everybody wants to "kick the can down the road". I think it goes with being elected to anything, you don't want costs raised on your watch.Joe Westhttp://www.communityassociations.netnoreply@blogger.com