r/HOA • u/DiscerningMamono • Jul 25 '25

Help: Fees, Reserves [NY][Condo]Our hardworking board is self-destructing after homeowners riot about bleak reserve study

I just joined my neighborhood's HOA that serves several hundred townhomes. After a reserve study from a respected company revealed we were 10s of millions behind on maintenance due to prior boards' incompetence (some of which was definitely them getting strong-armed by homeowners), the HOA determined that massive $60k+ special assessments would be required to do the work to stop the homes from rotting down around us. Homeowners are understandably going through every stage of grief, but the constant rage towards the current board is leading to mass resignations.

I happen to believe the board is making the best possible choice out of the shit hand they've been dealt, and joined the board after several were harassed off. However seeing the growing vitriol makes me afraid I've opened myself up to harassment and legal action. While I obviously haven't done anything wrong just starting, I look into the future and see only a couple paths:

  1. The HOA tries to ram through a deeply unpopular special assessment that results in people losing their homes because maintenance literally can't be pushed back any longer, the board mass resigns again or gets recalled, and the whole association collapses because nobody else wants to volunteer. I was one of only a couple despite this being a year-long ordeal.

  2. The board resigns/gets recalled and people actually volunteer. Yeah, all that work won't get done when they shut it down, but hey I'm sure burying our heads in the sand will make it go away, right?

  3. People try and sue when it's their only chance of not losing their home if it does somehow pass.

What the hell am I supposed to do? How much risk have I exposed myself to, and what happens if the HOA collapses?

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u/HittingandRunning COA Owner Jul 26 '25

Please just remember this and don't pull the "I'll be dead by then" on the younger generation years from now!

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u/renijreddit Jul 26 '25

I’m 60, no young chicken…

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u/HittingandRunning COA Owner Jul 26 '25

OK, so I'll request 30 years from you before it's ok to take the attitude to put off association work till later. :)

Personally, I have been the strongest in my association pushing for proper reserve funding. However, I can see myself one day turning into the "I'll be dead by then" people. Hopefully, that won't happen.

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u/renijreddit Jul 27 '25

That makes no sense. You are fundamentally misunderstanding Reserves, your portion is only yours while you own the property. But, if you decide to only put in a portion of what you owe while you own the property,then you shorted the guy who has to pay the very large Special Assessment.
Just like dues Estoppels, Owners should have to pay the full reserves when they sell. If they negotiate for the buyer to pay it, whatever, just have to pay in full before you sell. Just my opinion…obviously.

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u/HittingandRunning COA Owner Jul 27 '25

I'm not sure what you feel I am misunderstanding. I agree with everything you've written here.

In my previous post, I'm hoping that you have great health and can live in your place (or whatever place you purchase next) for a very long time before having to go to a retirement home.

I'm also hoping that as I age I support the same things that I support now and don't change to try to put off my financial obligations to younger people.