D.M. from outside of Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
I am quite certain I am being over-charged condo fees as compared to everyone else in the complex. I have asked my HOA for a copy of the list of condo fees everyone pays. I started asking last year and now I keep asking. One time he said he would send. But he never sent. I am currently compiling a list of dates I have asked and saving the emails to be printed if needed. How can I get an HOA to send me documents I am entitled to? Because it is clear he never plans to send this list. And I need this list to prove I am being over-charged. I don’t have a claim yet, so can’t go to small claims court and I’m not a lawyer to can’t issue a subpoena, and even if I could, I don’t have a claim yet. Thank you!
Mister Condo replies:
D.M., when you purchased your condo, you should have been provided a copy of your governance documents. One of the items included is the common fee schedule for you and for all units inside your condo association. It is not uncommon for different units to pay more or less as a percentage of the overall fees collected. Neighboring units might pay differing amounts based on square footage, preferred location, water views, and just about any other factor the developer of the association decided back when the association was formed. You should already have this documentation. Your common fees are your portion of the revenue needed to run the association assigned specifically to your unit. With the exception of Special Assessments, you should be paying the same amount each month in accordance with the association’s governing documents. You don’t really have a right to see what other unit owners pay but you do have a right to see what you pay. The bottom line is that you owe what you owe, not a penny more or less. If you are being billed in accordance with what you agreed to be billed when you purchased your unit, there is nothing else for you to do. If there is a discrepancy, you may wish to speak to an attorney to see if you have additional rights. All the best!