‘Who’s Watching the Cookie Jar?’ cries homeowner who was asked to pay $1K HOA fees after ‘mismanaged funds’ board

HOMEOWNERS have criticized their HOA after it was revealed their fees would increase due to alleged fraud.

Last December, Pam Crabb was one of many Colorado homeowners who were told by their HOA that they would have to pay more due to mismanagement of funds.

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“Who’s watching the cookie jar?” Crabb asked the NBC affiliate KUSA.

Crabb lives in a neighborhood called Enchantment Ridge, one of many HOAs that work with Poudre Property Services, a property management company.

As of 2023, at least seven other homeowner associations have filed complaints with the Loveland Police, alleging that the organization stole HOA accounts.

In January, it was confirmed by authorities that they were investigating the company, but charges were never brought against the owner.

Due to the alleged fraud, many owners had to pay the price.

Crabb revealed that in December she was told her HOA fee would nearly double due to the alleged fraud.

“You’re penalizing those of us who live here and were scammed,” Crabb said.

“We are the victims of this crime and yet you turn around and say, ‘Okay, now you have to pay for this.’”

She said she used to pay $600 in fees last year.

However, due to ongoing problems, she had to pay $1,000 upfront to her association.

“They said, ‘By the way, we’re not going to do this monthly anymore, you have to think about everything by January 1,’” Crabb accused his HOA of saying in December.

She added that during the board meeting no one apologized for what the owners were being forced to go through.

“No one is taking responsibility, no one is really saying ‘I’m sorry,’” Crabb said.

The US Sun has reached out to the owner of Poudre Property Services, Loveland Police and Enchantment Ridge for comment.

What is an HOA?

One in five Americans lives in an area with a Home Owners Association – or HOA. But what exactly do they do?

• An HOA is a homeowners association – an organization that aims to maintain a clean, cohesive place for its residents to live.
• Entire neighborhoods, subdivisions, condominiums, single-family homes or townhouses within “a planned development” will often constitute an HOA.
• They also serve as a regulatory body for the tenants, who manage and finance the HOA through monthly fees.
• Its main goals are to keep the community functional and visually appealing and maintain property values.
• They focus primarily on a neighborhood’s common areas, like roads, parks, and pools — but they can also stipulate what residents can do with their property, like yards and sidewalks.
• These restrictions often impose uniformity on properties, for example, ensuring that most houses look the same and that all sidewalks are free of weeds.
• An HOA Rule Book of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R) is distributed to all residents, and an elected volunteer board of directors enforces these regulations.
• Violating these rules can result in penalties such as fines and even litigation – as most HOAs are incorporated and subject to state law.
• HOAs are often the subject of controversy, with some members feeling that the rules are too punitive and restrictive, or that the leadership has too much power.
• But other HOAs like this give communities the power of self-government and can ensure a degree of harmony among residents.

HOA AH

People across the country are having problems with their HOA.

Florida homeowner Christy Bieber was told she needed to pay $5,000 in HOA fees as soon as she purchased her new home.

The previous owners, who foreclosed on their home, were fined $100 a day for having a dead bush.

Bieber was able to replace the bush for just $30.

However, the legal writer admitted that she could not complain because it was the HOA’s right to accuse her, she revealed the The Ascension.

An HOA can fine residents for not following the rules.

Additionally, there are also no restrictions on how the association can impose fines in Florida.

“If you don’t follow the rules, the HOA doesn’t just fine you once,” Bieber explained.

“[The HOA] may impose a fee for each day you remain out of compliance.”