Florida's largest HOA is unraveling the mess caused by its ex board. It's costing millions

[Eugene]

Source: Miami Herald

Florida’s largest HOA is unraveling the mess caused by its ex board. It’s costing millions

Linda Robertson
Mon, August 21, 2023 at 5:00 AM EDT·9 min read

At the Hammocks in West Kendall, 6,500 homeowners are anxious for a return to self-rule after seven years under the thumb of a tyrannical, secretive board of directors that is accused of stealing millions in monthly fees from their neighbors.

Although the former president is in jail on theft and fraud charges, and a new board is running the largest homeowners association in Florida, the process of restoring community peace and fiscal health has been a struggle.

Some residents complain that the receiver appointed by a judge to clean up the legal and financial mess left by the old board is spending too much of the association’s money on too many lawyers, putting the HOA in danger of going broke again.

Receiver David M. Gersten has billed $2.03 million in expenses in seven months on the job. Gersten, the retired chief judge in Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal, was chosen by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Beatrice Butchko to oversee the Hammocks and the new board that was elected March 30.

-snip-

Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/florida-largest-hoa-unraveling-mess-090000855.html

[LonePirate]

1. An HOA screwed over the residents it represents? I am completely shocked!

The fact that someone appointed to clean up the mess also seems to be bilking the homeowners is also a surprise. That sort of thing never, ever happens!



HOAs are a scourge on America and provide little value at great expense.

[getagrip_already]

3. Careful there.....

That statement is a violation of your hoa rule 72, subparagraph 89, sectio gg. Pages 1093-2364: Disparagement Clauses.

You are hereby notified you are in violation and subject to immediate foreclosure.

[MOMFUDSKI]

4. Lol

Good one!

[lostnfound]

6. I haven't minded them until they got handed over to 'professional management'

A small fee tacked on causes an auto-pay to malfunction, insufficient notice is given, and you end up owing a bundle of fees.
What used to be dropping off a check in the neighborhood becomes a bureaucratic ordeal with lawyers fees. It’s a scam.

[flamingdem]

2. Defund the HOA!

Lawyer, Florida and HOAs. Favorite topics.

[DBoon]

5. HOAs exist so residents can believe their property taxes are low...

... and that they are free from tyrannical rule by municipal government.

Quite often the private sector substitute for government turns out to be more costly, less effective, and more tyrannical despite what decades of libertarian propaganda says.

[multigraincracker]

7. Looked at a listing in Monroe Mi.

Had an HOA fee of $5/month. Asked the agent and she said it was for the beach access. Sounds doable.