In 2017 we bought a little condo in the American Pacific Northwest. 

In 2017, we paid $150,000 for our real estate. We bought it with a tax lot, a land parcel.

Now, in 2024, our condo is worth $250,000, market value

But soon, it will be worth nothing, because it's being deliberately damaged and flooded by the HOA condo Board. 

Since 2022, I was told that there will be no more repairs on my condo and that it needs to be "torn down." But - no buy-out.

And, since, 2022, I was told, I no longer own my condo, "Just Google it." But, Google where? Google is a big place. 

And, I was told that now our condo complex is now "owned by a corporation." 

And, I was told, that condos in our complex became "mobile homes." 

And, that I'll have to "pay rent," "leave," or be "forcibly removed."

And, the HOA condo Board adopted "resolutions" breaching our basic rights, including the right to safety and the right to contact lawyers.

And, our individual land parcel disappeared from the map. Or, maybe it was never put on the DIGITAL map. 

The whole condo complex become ONE big tax lot on the Digital map - GIS (Geographic Information System)

And, taxation was removed from the individual land parcels.

The whole condo complex subdivision was assigned to one condo owner, one person

And, I was pressured to sign off my homeowner voting rights to this person and to a man doing business in China. 

What is happening?!!!!

I started making this page on November 8, 2024 to reach out for help. 

I should be packing our belongings, but instead, I want to give it another try. By the way, our condo is not pink. I added the overlay for privacy. Also, I'm not using any real names or locatoins. I blurred all private info in the images. 

I'm making this page because of hope. I've always been optimistic. I love law and justice. I always pray and hope that somebody, or a bunch of somebodies are out there. Somebodies who are ready to do good, who are ready to help. Who want to make things right. 

I'm not a political person. I'm very private and quiet. I feel very uncomfortable putting things on the Internet. I'm only doing it because we need help. Not just us. We all, HOA /condo owners, need help. And, pretty much, everybody. 

If somebody happens to read this page, I implore you to use it to reach out to our elected leaders. Especially, President Donald Trump - he specializes in real estate, including condominiums. 

HOAs (Homeowner Associations, and condo Associations) need be regulated in a people-friendly manner. We, the elderly people, ALL people, need safety, security, and peace. Reasonable rules. Reasonable enforcement of rules. Peace and quiet.

And, we need protection from digital chaos. 

- so we don't "Just Google it," and find out that we "no longer own" our real estate. And that our land parcel is not on the map. 

The land records archives and the new digital databases, including digital mapping of land parcels, need regulation and oversight. 

Especially now, as digital chaos increases, and BRICS is getting empowered. No, not bricks, as in "bricks and mortar," or as in a brick wall. BRICS, the powerful alliance, the new power that tries to digitize everything. The powerful BRICS alliance, that includes India and China. 

Haphazard land records digitization and mis-handling of the databases will lead to big problems - here are some articles: An article  about a mansion on Los Angeles targeted by scammers And  about real estate title theft. 

Contact our Leaders. Ask them to protect us. 

Protect the integrity of our land records and digital databases. 

During the next downpour of rain, our condo might get flooded. Or, likely, our condo WILL get flooded, due to deliberate set-up by the HOA condo Board. 

If the condo gets flooded, electricity will be turned off. We'll have only short time to grab our suitcases and leave. Or, as I've been told since 2022, we will be "forcibly removed."

We are an elderly couple. My husband is in his 80s.

If we have to leave on a short notice, we might not survive such ordeal.  

Btw, the people in the image is not us. It's not our condo either - I used an artbot on a free website tinybots.net. i want to protect our privacy. 

We've been in a condo-crisis mode since 2022. In 2022 I was told that that there will be no more repairs of our condo. That our condo needs to be "torn down." So, there will be a buy-out? Nope. So, what is going to happen? I've been asking the HOA condo Board about it since 2022, appropriately, during HOA condo meetings and via email. No answers. Instead, starting this summer, 2024, I received letters from the HOA condo Board threatening large fines and legal action against me. 

The letter from the HOA lawyer "Philip" (not a real name) quotes the original sales documents (the Declaration, 1979). Somehow, according to "Philip" I can be fined and sued by the HOA. Since 2022, the lawyer "Philip" has not answered any of my questions about the buy-out. 

The "Declaration" documents were not available to us when we bought the condo. Eventually, when we got the "Declaration," I started reading it. And reading it. And reading it again. It is a very complicated document, written in a convoluted language. There's a part in the Declaration that reads: no owner of an "apartment" (condo) "so taken or condemned," shall have "any right, title, interest..."  And something about the owners of the undamaged condos getting a "Condemnation Award." 

I'm an immigrant, I learned English late in life. Double or triple negatives are difficult to read. What does it mean? 

Does it mean that the owner of the damaged and condemned condo doesn't have any rights? No financial compensation? No right to sue? 

Since 2022, after the condo complex spiraled down into crisis, I repeatedly asked the HOA lawyer "Philip" during the HOA meetings to explain. Does the owner of the condemned condo REALLY get nothing? WHO gets the "Condemnation Award.". What will happen when our condo is no longer maintained, and it's flooded and condemned? 

The HOA condo lawyer "Philip" didn't answer any of my questions.

I hope to find somebody or a bunch of somebodies to help us. 

Help us survive. Help us save our home. Save the law and justice. Save us.

Btw, I apologize for my English mistakes. I'm an immigrant. I learned English late in life. 

I love my new home country. I came to the USA in 1996 for what was to be a short visit, but then, the USA became my new home country. 

I love many things about America, the USA, first of all, freedom and justice. Another thing I loved about America right away, was how things were DONE. Including, how easy it was to buy building materials, home-improvement stuff, spare parts. If you need to repair something, you just go to a store and buy what's needed. 

In my home country, I grew up during an economic crisis, shortages of everything, including spare parts and building materials.

I love the good old American ways - traditional - law, justice and getting things DONE - like repairs of gutters or drain pipes. It should be easy. Done right, quickly, professionally. 

Keep America safe, peaceful, normal and moral. 

Keep things DONE right, professional.

Under law, justice and God in Heaven.

The picture above is the good scenario - we live in a well maintained condo and we are aging happily. 

And a bad scenario - our condo gets flooded and we have to leave. 

An HOA is a Homeowners' Association. Or, condo. COA is Condominium Owners Association. 

It should be governed like a small government - the homeowners voting on important decisions. 

We were not prepared for what has unfolded in our HOA condo. 

Since 2022, our HOA condo has been thrown into a spiral of crisis. We literary have been close to a disaster several times. All the disasters were preventable and shouldn't have happened at all. 

I've been trying to understand what has happened. I've been reading and researching about HOAs and condos, I discovered some horrific stories. Homeowners having their houses sold from "under" them. Homeowners being put liens (debts) on their house. Homeowners being sued. Homeowners geting large fines for miniscule "violations." 

There needs to be a better way. 

We need some a HOA/COA Homeowners' Protection League. Help us!

What happens if the HOA condo Board suddenly ceases maintenance on your condo? 

In 2022, underground drain pipes draining water from our condo got clogged. The Board president declined repairs. He told that our condo needs to be "torn down," because "it's all roots". Meaning, tree roots got into the drain pipes. 

Roots happen. Especially when trees or large bushes are planted right above the drain pipes. 

So, logically, the drain pipes should be repaired. Roto-rooted, or dug out, or whatever needs to be done. Right? 

In 2022, repair of the underground drain pipes was estimated for about $4,000. But, the repairs were declined. 

Since we bought our condo, we've paid about $25,000 in monthly HOA condo fees. The fees cover water, sewer and garbage and ALL outside maintenance. 

Subsequently, actual DAMAGE to our gutter system was done by the HOA condo Board. 

"No more repairs," as I was told by the Board president and our HOA condo lawyer. Subsequently, I received threatening letters from the HOA threatening fines and legal action against me. 

What's next? 

Now, the big question. 

Who owns my condo?

We own our condo. Right? 

We bought it in 2017 as real estate. We have SWD (secure warranty deed). We had a professional title search to make sure that the title was OK. We bought the condo with a land parcel, a tax lot. The paperwork is filed in the county land records. We pay about $300 montly HOA condo fee. We never missed a payment.

So, why have I've been told, screamed at, since 2022, that I "no longer own" my condo?

Meanwhile.... still no repairs on our condo. 

I don't want for my "unit" (my condo real estate) to get damaged and condemned. 

So, I contacted the management company again, via email. The response was - no repairs. 

 As the drainage on our condo remained not repaired, I requested repairs again. Subsequently, 

Subsequently, I received a registered letter from the HOA Board president "George" (not a real name) 

(October 24, 2024). The letter reads: 

"Because this issue has been repeatedly addressed, the Association and it's management company will no longer respond about the issue. If (my name) continues to contact the management company or legal counsel with these baseless concerns about water damage affecting the Association's common elements or condemnation of the condominium buildings, the Association will levy fines plus all attorney's fees and costs incurred. If there are actual emergencies, (not simply fears that something might occur), you may contact the management company. But the Association and its agents cannot keep responding to these repeated communications about the same issue." 

Because the gutters have not been repaired....

on October 26, 2026, there problem occurred again. Overflowing gutters, water rushing towards the walls. 

Now, something positive. On a good day, our condo is really cute. 

Below is a photo-compilation of our condo on a good day.

I added the pink overlay for privacy. On this page, I blurred all the names and all identifying info. This is just one condo complex in the American Pacific Northwest. I'll call it a "Mapple Tree Village Condominium Association," as a nick name. 

I'm really careful about not saying anything defamatory. Since 2022, I've been threatened to be sued for "defamation." I was also threatened to be impersonated online, and targeted with other threats

Being sued for a "defamation" is a great risk for homeowners living in HOAs. 

I've read about a "defamation" case Tarter v. Bendt, where the HOA Board president got a lot of money! The HOA Board president named Tarter sued homeowners in the HOA, an elderly couple named Bendt who criticized him. 

The court awarded a lot of money to the HOA Board president Tarter - 7 figures, about $1,400,000. One million four hundred thousand!!!! 

Apparently, the court considered the HOA Board president Tarter a "limited purpose public figure." Tarter was a lawyer. 

I wonder if Tarter v. Bendt case will be considered a legal precedence - can now ANYBODY, any homeowner in HOA be sued for a "defamation," by their HOA Board? 

We need help. 

We need protection. We need back to normal and back to moral

HOA living needs to be safe, quiet and peaceful. 

 A surveillance camera is placed right outside condo. The camera is operated by the HOA.

 I'm on camera, when I'm tending my yard and pruning my roses or just walk around to look at my plants. 

I want to prune my roses and enjoy my home, my yard and my plants in peace.

However, for about 2 years, as soon as I go outside to work on my yeard, some neighbors came running and talking or screaming. 

I was told by some neighbors and others that I don't own my condo any more, "you don't own it, just Google it!", that I'll have to vacate, pay rent, and/or be forcibly removed. I was told to pay money for lawsuits that go back 40 years, to sue the HOA for things that I don't even know are true. I was told that I'd be arrested... because I was carrying pruning scissors - on camera (while I was being yelled at)! I was told to sign away my homeowner's voting rights to a private company. I was offered to commit crimes (I declined). 

Since the spring of 2024, and especially, after I received the threatening letter from the HOA lawyer "Philip", I don't talk to the neighbors any more. Now, I avoid the neighbors. When neighbors approach me, I run the other way and hide, or go back to the house. The letter from the lawyer "Philip" accuses me of harassing others, even though it's been me who has been severely harassed. 

In addition, the HOA condo Board, under the legal counsel of the lawyer "Philip" adopted some strange resolutions. These resolutions make sweeping restrictions to our basic civil rights, including rights to personal safety. 

One of these resolutions is a "camera" resolution. 

In our HOA condo, the security camera is not to be used for security.  

More about our HOA resolutions later. 

Of course, for the ownership of real estate, the most important part is the LAND. 

We bought our condo in 2017, with a land parcel, a tax lot. According to the sales documents, we own percentage of what is called the "common area," the land and the buildings. With a simple math, we own 0.11 acres. Our real estate deed, the lot, the land parcel, the tax parcel is filed in the County Land records. 

But, in 2021, the County Assessor removed taxation from our land parcel. Now the land tax value of our tax parcel is $0. The value was added to the building. Now the condos in our complex are taxed together with mobile homes. The notice of value says that nothing has changed. 

But, in reality, a lot has changed. According to some very vocal persons who approached me for two years, since 2022, I don't own my real estate now became a "mobile home" and we will have to "leave." I've been yelled at, repeatedly, "You don't own it, just Google it!" 

Of course, such groundbreaking info should be discussed during HOA condo meetings. But it isn't. During the HOA meetings, none of this has been discussed. The letters I recently received, from the HOA lawyer and Board president, deny existence of any such issues. The letters mock my concerns and threaten fines and legal action against me. 

I applied to the County Board of Equalization to change the taxation back - to put the taxation back on our land parcel. As of now, early November 2024, I'm waiting for a hearing to be scheduled. 

In 2022, as I was surprised by the news, I talked to some elderly neighbors. Some of the elderly neighbors told me were also told to "pay rent" and/or "leave." 

Some neighbors told me about plans to build a business center on the land, or a part of the land belonging to the HOA condo complex. And that "everybody" knew about it. We, my husband and I, didn't know about it, because we were "new." 

All this info is "unofficial." None of this has been discussed during HOA condo meetings. ..

Meanwhile, in 2023, there was a strong pressure to sign away our homeowners' voting rights to a private person/company, to give a "legally binding" e-signature. We were subjected to a barrage of mis-information. Some emails we received were sent from China. I refused to sign away my voting rights. I tried to alert elderly homeowners of the consequences of such sign-off; the consequences for them, and the whole condo complex. I tried to alert other homeowners about the status of the land, how the whole subdivision is assigned. Subsequently, I was silenced. I was sent a shaming email. An "unofficial" newsletter was sent to homeowners, calling my perspective a "conspiracy theory." Subsequently, we, my husband and I were excluded from any communications or updates from the signature-gatherers. At of 2024, we don't even know what is the progress of the signature-gathering effort, how many signatures have captured homeowners' voting rights in our condo complex.

None of this has been discussed during HOA condo meetings that we are notified of. Via email, I complained to the HOA Board about the "unofficial" misinformation and signature-gathering. During a meeting on Zoom, the HOA lawyer "Philip" said that the signature gatherers were exercising their "freedom of speech." 

What is an HOA? Or - a COA - Condominium Owners Association? 

HOA (a Homeowners Association) is like a small government. 

When we bought the condo, we though it was a good idea. Our understanding was/is that we own our real estate. We pay a monthly fee for the upkeep of our real estate, and we expect that everything should be done. Gutter cleaning, all outside maintenance. Rules, but reasonable. No barking dogs. In the fall, leaves removed. At the beginning it was all fine. Then, things went downhill. As some neighbors put it (when I still talked to the neighbors) "When the complex is sold, it's all good. When the complex is taken down, it's all bad." I'm quoting from memory. 

We, the homeowners, are "citizens" of our HOA. Every year, during an Annual Meeting, we, the homeowners vote and elect the Board. Just like in the government, in the HOA, the Board directors have fiduciary duty - that is, to act on behalf of the homeowners. In a condominium, a COA, a form of HOA, we, the homeowners, pay monthly fee that covers all outside maintenance and other costs. We pay to have our maintenance covered. 

But, since 2022, I've been told that there will be no more maintenance on my condo, because it needs to be "torn down." Since 2022, the roadway next to our condo started getting flooded. Previously, the drainage system was well maintained and there was no flooding problem. This year, 2024, changes of drainage system were done by the Board, the president "George" and another man named "Thomas", directing water under the slab of my building. "George" is the son-in law of "Joe." "Thomas" is, supposedly, a grandson of "Joe." Who is "Joe"? More about "Joe" later. 

Of course, according to basic, common knowledge, running water under the slab causes damage to the slab and the building. 

But.... our HOA lawyer "Philip" (not a real name), told me that it's "normal" to run water under the slab and that it only will "become an issue when your floor is wet" And that "the Association owns the slab."  (What?!!! We, the homeowner, own our real estate!) 

- I'm quoting from memory, the HOA meeting was adjourned. before questions from homeowners were allowed. So our question about repairs on our condo were off record. I asked for a notarized letter from the HOA Board and the lawyer "Philip" to put his answer on record - I received no response. 

As our condo is set up to be damaged, the HOA condo Board is in the process of approving a very large special assessment - replacement of roofs. The last talk was about around $800,000 cost per complex. This would be a very large out-of-pocket expense for each homeowner. The condo complex is aging (build in 1974) and so are some of the homeowners. Some are in their eighties and nighties. I've had very sparse contact with these elderly homeowners. They are mostly at home. But... I can't help but wonder, how many of them won't be able to afford to pay for this "special assessment." If the homeowners can't afford it, the lawyer "Philip" will be a debt collector - he will put a lien on their condos and charge legal expenses.  

In case of our condo,  as rain water is being run under the slab and gutters are overflowing, we will be paying for a new roof. What?!!!!

Anybody who happens to read this page, I implore you to contact our elected Leaders - we need a special HOA task force and a set of regulations to protect us, the homeowners and our home-ownership rights! 

This is how it started - in the spring of 2022.

A downspout started gushing in at the corner of our condo. The HOA (condo) Board president "George" refused repairs. Because the underground pipes were infested in roots. 

Because....  there was a large rhododendron planted on top of the drain pipes. Aha! 

The HOA condo Board president told me that his crew would dig a ditch to divert water via a plastic hose and empty it on the asphalt. We didn't want such makeshift solution. We wanted permanent repairs. But the crew didn't show up anyway. So I dug a ditch myself and put in a plastic hose to divert rain water.

After a lot of emailing, a plumber came out and did an estimate. The work to repair the underground pipes was estimated for about $4000. But the HOA Board president "George" didn't approve the repairs.  Since then... it only got worse....

In the spring of 2022, we had another surprise. A "lake" appeared on the roadway right outside our condo. This photo shows a small "lake." On some days, the lake was much bigger. Water went into our yard. This was a big surprise. In 2022, we had lived in this condo complex already for 6 years. In 2016, we rented one of the condos, to see if we liked it here. We talked to some neighbors. We asked if everything was OK. Neighbors told us that they were very happy here. So, we waited for a condo to open up for sale to grab it. A condo went up for sale in 2017, so we bought it. By 2022, we had driven through this part of the road for six years. I don't remember anything like that. This was a total surprise. Especially, that there were no leaves to clog up the drain - it was spring. And, there was not much rain. But water just kept coming. 

Starting in the spring 2022, during the "first lake" and the gushing downspout crisis, some neighbors started approaching me, telling me things about our condo complex. 

One of this news was that, we don't own our condo, supposedly. One of the many versions. One "proof" was a page form a packet of documents that was mailed to us by the HOA condo Board. I think it was sometime in the early 2020s. Wereceived a packet of documents from our HOA in the mail. The packet from the HOA contained some pages that listed all tax lots (land parcels) as belonging to "Joe" (not a real name). 

According to some neighbors, these pages are supposed to be the solid proof that all this "belongs to "Joe" and his children." 

None of this has been discussed during our HOA condo meetings.  

 Here's a page the HOA Board mailed to us in the early 2020s in a packet. The sale is  - the original owner "Joe" selling the "apartments" (as it was referred to then), now condos. 

The year was 1980. The price (green arrow) is $37,000. 

The seller (red arrow) is the person who sells the condo/apartment. 

Who is the "Grantor" (pink arrow)? 

I guess its "Joe" too. But I'm not sure. I've spent so much time researching this "packet" that I had to color code it. It's like wandering through a maze, or learning a new language. 

A fragment of this page (pink arrow), reads: 

The said apartment, common property and limited common property being subject to restrictive covenants, right and easements for the provision of utilities, access and drainage as may be set forth in the Declaration of Condominium above mentioned, and further excepting and reserving unto the Grantor, its successors and assigns, the easements and reservations for ingress and egress and utilities, among others, set forth in said Declaration. Also included in the premises are the fixtures and property described in Article 6.2 of the Declaration without warranty. 

Before we bought our condo in 2017, we paid for a professional title search, by a professional and respected title company. Such title search ensures that everything is fine with our purchase. That is, that we didn't buy the proverbial "London Bridge." 

The result of our title search was good. Meaning. Everything should be fine. So why, some neighbors (and others) kept telling me, for two years (when I still spoke with the neighbors) "you don't own it!" "It's own by a corporation!" or "Joe" and "his children own it"? 

I'm still searching for an answer. I was advised to hire a lawyer. But lawyers are expensive. $300 an hour. 

My husband and I have limited resources. We are the type of peple who shop in the cheapest stores on a senior discount day. 

We are paying $300 a MONTH for all the outside maintenance. And now we'd have to pay $300 an HOUR to have mantenence DONE? Or, at least, not have DAMAGE done to our condo by the HOA condo Board?

$300 an HOUR? To a lawyer? To have a drainpipe repaired? The repair of the underground drainpipe was estimated for $4000. It would be more prudent to spent money on that repair. But, in order to have the repair done, we have to hire a lawyer?!!!!

But, wait. 

We are not allowed to contact a lawyer. One of our HOA condo Board resolutions adopted by the Board in November 2022, prohibits such contact. 

Our HOA condo Board resolution from November 2022, reads, in part: 

"Residents must not communicate direct in any way with vendors, realtors or lawyers about concerns. Instead, residents mus contact the management company to relay these concerns. 

Notwithstanding the enforcement procedures outlined in the House Rules, the Association will asses a fine of $500 per occurrence against the resident's unit for any violation of this Resolution, pus all actual costs incurred because of the violation. This fine will be levied at the same time written notice is provided to the owner. The Board at its sole and unfettered discretion may waive the fine or allow it to stand." End quote. 

As a "resident" you may request a hearing with the HOA condo Board who had levied the fines. " who practices at a Big Law firm in Portland, Oregon, will be the debt collector. 

"Philip" recently updated the house rules. Now, we can be fined for a lot of things. Wrong window coverings. Planting. Vendor interferance. Recently, a man strolled in, right outside my condo. I was sitting outside. He strolled in, no truck, no nothing. Walked right over to my car and crouched behind it for several minutes, with some device. I just sat there, looking over from a distance. He could be a vendor.... Then he strolled back out, his phone ready. Apparently ready to phone-record me, I asked who he was. I didn't ask him. I've been through this since 2022. On camera, when I prun my roses, people stop by, say weird things or do weird things, sometimes trying to provoke me. One time, there was a guy crouching behind a tree in my backyard. I didn't say anything. He could be a vendor, and if I say anything I might get a $500 fine from my HOA condo Board and from the lawyer "Philip"  Starting 

To summarize TWO YEARS of conversations, or, me being yelled at as I'm gardening, the neighbors told me that, simply -  this is how it is - the whole condo complex belongs to "Joe" and his children. Just because. And, everybody knows it. We, my husband and I, just didn't know it, because we were NEW. What?!!!!! I was told that the woman who sold our condo to us knew it. We should sue her. I didn't sue her. There was no way of proving that she knew. 

Another version was that our condo complex is now owned by a CORPORATION!" What corporation? 

Different neighbors told me different stories. Neighbors told me that the "children of "Joe" wanted to "take back" the complex at the end and build something else. A business center. And that the condo owners would get a very large buy-out, way more than the market value of our condos, a "million." But then, some neighbors, sometimes the same neighbors, but on a different occasion, told me that there will be no buy-out. We would get nothing!!! We need to sue them! Then... we'll get "millions." Some neighbors started organizing a class-action lawsuit. I was invited to join. "We make millions!" The neighbors already lawyers lined-up. The first consultation would be free. I'm certainly not against "making millions." But I want to know the details. WHO would make "millions" and how? The neighbors changed the detail and contradicted themselves, sometimes even during the same conversation. 

 All this sounded, gradually, more and more strange. I tried to verify these stories myself. One example was a lawsuit against our HOA in 2016. Much later, eventually, I went to the courthouse and pulled up documents about this lawsuit. What the neighbors told me about it was very different from what went on. There were huge contradictions and holes in what the neighbors were telling me. It all started sounding more and more weird.  The summary is that, sometimes I was told that "we'll make millions." But, more often, I was told, "you don't own it, you don't own it, you don't own it!!!!" 

I was also told that "they" wanted to dissolve the Association. Who is "they."? A Board member (now former) gave me some printed pages from RCW (Revised Code of Washington) and told me that "they just need 75%" This was one of my very rare conversations with just one of our HOA Board members. 

The prospect of the Association being dissolved started sounding real. Some neighbors told me that they were filing complaints to Attorney General and to the State to dissolve the Association. A neighbor showed me a box filled with complaints and materials for lawsuits. But, what will happen to us, to us if the Association gets dissolved? 

Another fear is the HOA might get administratively dissolved. After I was told many times over, "You don't own it, just Google it," I started googling. I went to the Secretary of State business registration website and discovered that our HOA registration was in delinquency. It was in the spring of 2022. If the delinquency lasts too long, the HOA would be administratively dissolved. And then - what?!!!

Next year, 2023, our HOA was in delinquency again.... Hmmm. 

Some neighbors pointed out to me how the business idea was delinted in the condo complex. A part of the condo complex is downhill, near a major street. This downhill part would be the future business center. There was a different code - BUSINESS - placed on one of the condo, belonging to "George" or "Susan" or, "George and Susan" together. Simply, "at the end" the downhill part of the condo complex would be turned into a business center. 

But, what about us? Will we get a buy-out, or what? Maybe. The neighbors were vague. Telling me thing during one conversation, then something completely different. Sometimes contradicting themselves in the same conversion, or even in the same sentence. Then, some neighbors had an idea of an "insurrection" against the Board. The path to the insurrection was for them to gather signatures, so the neighbors could become the Board themselves. The wording for the signatures, e-signatures were very broad. Essentially, signing away home-owners voting rights for an extended period of time. While gathering these signatures, the neighbors withheld important information. It seemed to me like this "insurrection" would more likely lead to us losing our home. 

Eventually, after two  in the spring/summer of this year, I stopped talking to the neighbors. The drawback is that I don't know anything about the progress of the projects. I don't know how many homeowners signed off their homeowner voting rights to a private firm. I don't know what is the progress of the Business Center project. 

None of this was discussed during the HOA meetings. 

I wrote emails to the Board, asking for clarification. 

I received one response. Eventually, in September 2023, after a YEAR AND A HALF of me being told/screamed at that I "don't own" my condo and that I'll have to "leave," "pay rent" or be "forcibly removed," I wrote a long email to the HOA condo Board asking for a clarification. 

Below is the response to my email. It is from our HOA condo Board secretary. A simple answer to a complex question. That's it. 

I actually HAVE NEVER MET in person some of our HOA Board members. Three out of five don't live in the complex. I had some direct conversations with HOA Board president ("George") in 2022. The conversions were about the downspout crisis, the "lake" crisis and yet another water-related crisis - suddenly, water appeared in our backyard, seemingly from underground. It was in the summer of 2022, during a heat wave. Even during extreme heat, the backyard didn't dry out. The Board President "George" visited me in my backyard and sent an expert to diagnose the problem. After these conversations in the summer of 2022, I haven't spoken with the Board President "George" in person again, or even on the phone. 

One and only in-person conversation with another Board member, the Treasurer, was when I was photographing trees. I walked around the complex and photographed tree branches touching roofs. It would be cheaper to trim the trees, so the tree branches don't damage the roofs. The existing roofs could last longer! The Board member saw me taking pictures of trees, followed me to my yard, and had a conversation with me right in front of the surveillance camera. I was polite. I just explained that I was going to sent the photos to the management company, to suggest trimming of the trees. That was it. 

The two Board members who live in the complex never spoke to me otherwise. During the floods in the spring and fall of 2022, HOA condo Board members drove through the "lake" as if not noticing the water. And, not noticing me uncloging the drain and removing the leaves. It certainly was very strange. Neighbors and trucks also drove through the "lake", as if not noticing the water. Some going fast, splash, splash. Some people made threatening gesture at me from their vehicles as I was unclogging the storm drain and removing the leaves. 

But some elderly people were nice and thanked me. One elderly neighbor came out and helped to unclog the drain. A person more than eighty years old. One of the homeowners who, just like me, was told that now our condos became "mobile homes" and that we will have to "leave." 

The interpretation of my interactions with the HOA Board members and neighbors is very different. 

In June 2024 I received a letter from our HOA condo lawyer "Philip" "cease and desist" - final warning. (I haven't received any previous written warnings, only verbal threats). 

The letter from "Philip" reads, in parts. 

The Board of Directors is quite concerned about (my name) increasingly erratic behaviors and unreasonable conduct. And while the Board does not wish to add to (my name) mental anguish, it can't tolerate this continuing conduct.This is not the first time the Association has warned (my name) not to interfere and or harass vendors or Directors. 

Under the Association's Anti-Harassment and Vendor Interference Resolutions, the Board has the authority to levy a fine of up to $500.00 against you for each incident. The Board has become increasingly concerned by (my name) actions and erratic behavior. This behavior includes false claims that the Association will be "liquidated" and that the original developer will also take her unit ownership. As I explained on two consecutive annual meetings, (my name) concerns are baseless and without any reasonable basic in fact. I don't know how to state it more clearly. There's no "plan" to take the land back and build "something else" You own your unit and will continue to own it until you sell it.That said, (my name interference with vendors and Directors, her alteration of Association common areas, and her repeated baseless claims have created a significant and costly nuisance and interference with vendors, Directors, and other residents' quiet enjoyment of their units.If there are further violations, the Association will levy fines and might take further legal action. Under the Association's governing documents and Washington law, you will be responsible for these fines plus all legal fees and costs incurred. 

I spent quite some time on "Maps Online." The "Maps Online" have a disclaimer. They can't be used to determine the ownership of the tax parcel - the REAL tax parcel ownership is in the County LAND RECORDS. The real land deeds, tax parcels, the real estate sales, are filed in paper. Locked in a cabinet. So nobody can mess with them. 

In our County LAND RECORDS we have a DEED - SWD - Secure Warranty Deed for a TAX LOT - a TAX PARCEL - a PIECE OF LAND. 

The GIS (Geographic information System) has a free version and a paid version. I only use the free version. Besides discovering stuff about our condo complex, I started discovering things about other places too. What happens with other older condo complexes? Or older parts of town? Are business codes being placed and plans made for other people's real estate, other people's homes? 

If anybody is reading this, I implore you to contact our elected Leaders. 

Especially, President Donald Trump. He specializes in real estate, homes, condos and buildings in general. 

I'm an elderly woman. I don't like to be involved. I just want to garden, study music, write something from time to time, watch old musicals and have peace and quiet. 

But, hopefully, some young and energetic people would get more involved in protecting our homeownership. Including home ownership of people like us, the eldery. 

Help us save our home. And your home. Save us. 

That's our condo. It sticks out to the dip, the lowest point in the terrain. It was built like this. 

Large trees are planted at the exit from the complex, right above the drain pipes - the large storm drain pipe and the sewer pipe. The condo complex was built in the 1970s. By now the trees are really large, so the roots grow and grow and grow.... 

When you buy real estate, look at the terrain. Don't buy a condo next to the lowest point in the terrain. Look for trees - are any trees near to large drain pipes? 

When we bought the condo, it was fine, Actually, it was really cute. It's the cutest condo in the whole complex. Best yard. Five years later, suddenly, maintenance went downhill. 

I'm very careful about privacy. I want to exercise my freedom of speech. I don't want to be sued for a "defamation." Since 2022, I've been threatened to be sued for "defamation" if I request repairs on our condo or oppose privatization or re-privatization efforts. Or, if I talk to the neighbors about the signature-gathering efforts and the assignment of the whole subdivision. 

This page is not for the purpose of a "defamation." 

This page is to reach out for help. I don't want my condo to be damaged and condemned. I don't want my real estate be taken away from me. I want the drainage to be repaired and the condo properly maintained. I want to have proper HOA meetings under the law, where we, the homeowners, can make proper decisions. 

So.... what happens when your condo gets "too old"? 

You get a buy-out and live happily ever after, in a rental, or in a nursing home. 

Or, you DON'T get a buy out? 

If you don't get a buy-out, you might go through the take-down process, referred to by some neighbors as the "Final Clean-out." 

The "Final Cleanout" 

is when the HOA places large fines on you, you have to pay a lot of money for some made-up "violations" or "non-compliance," and/or your real estate gets damaged and condemned, or, thorough some other maneuvers, you lose your home and your personal savings, and your peace and safety. 

By, "you" I mean - us, we, the people. 

When we bought our condo, we didn't know that our condo was the "Lake House." 

We didn't know about the articles in the original sales documents - the Declaration (1979) that talks about what happens if just one condo is condemned. There are major consequences for the whole condo complex, including circumventing a regular buy-out. And, the Declaration talks about a "Condemnation Award" to be given to the owners of the undamaged condos. 

I've asked about this repeatedly during the HOA meetings since 2022, when the problems started. I received no answers from the Board or the Board's lawyer "Philip" (not a real name). 

And, starting this summer, I received intimidating letters, threatening large fines and legal action against me. 

For what? 

In the summer of 2024, the HOA (condo) Board president and his crew changed the gutter direction and the gutter system. 

So now rain water goes under the slab. 

I was told by the HOA Board's lawyer "Philip" (not a real name) that it's 

"normal" to run water under the slab. 

And that the "Association owns the slab."  

(What?!!! We, the homeowners own our real estate)

And that "it will become an issue when your floor is wet." 

What?!!!!!

I'm quoting the lawyer "Philip" is from memory - "Philip" was speaking during an HOA meeting on Zoom, but off record. 

Below is the picture that explains current situation - summer and fall of 2024. 

First, in 2022, the underground drain pipes draining water from our condo got clogged with roots (#1 in the picture). The HOA condo Board president declined repairs, saying that our condo needs to be "torn down."

Earlier this year, one functioning downspout was removed (#2) by a man, who simply showed up outside our condo and removed the downspout without our permission. I asked him where was the water going to go, since #1 downspout was clogged??? 

Another downspout was put in, by the HOA condo Board president and a crew on the corner away from the drainage, directing water under the slab (#3).

In our HOA (condo) we pay about $300 monthly maintenance fee. 

Since we bought the condo in 2017, we've paid about $25,000 in monthly fees combined (that includes water, garbage and sewer). The fees are supposed to cover ALL outside maintenance. Gutters. drainage, landscaping. 

When we bought the condo, we thought it was a good idea. A monthly fee, and we would have EVERYTHING DONE. 

I never fathomed that I would be digging ditches, unclogging the storm drain day and night, hauling leaves to the debris trailer... And receiving threatening letters if I ask for a basic maintenance to be done. 

The letter from the HOA lawyer "Piliip"  refers to the flooding depicted in the photo above as "driveway's drain was clogged in 2022."

The letter from HOA lawyer "Piliip"  refers to my concerns as "paranoia" and as "baseless": 

The letter (June 2024) from the HOA lawyer "Philip" reads: "There's no sinkhole on the Association's property. The Association's chairperson regularly inspects the property (...) and has confirmed that the concern is baseless."

Of course, there's no sinkhole on the property at this time. If there were a sinkhole under or next to our condo, I wouldn't be writing these words.

Since 2022, I've been repeatedly told, unofficially, about efforts to dissolve the Association.

Our HOA articles of Incorporation (1997) contain an article about voluntary dissolution and distribution of assets.  

I've repeatedly asked the HOA Board to have this process explained officially, during HOA meetings. I asked to see the provisions. I asked how the assets would be distributed, and who are the "others". To no avail. 

I found several irregularities. I found that there were TWO HOAs with the same EIN number on the Secretary of State Website.

Besides our HOA, there was a second HOA with a criss-crossed, clickable EIN number. That second HOA was registered to the law firm where the lawyer "Philip" practices in Portland, Oregon

The letter from the lawyer "Philip" reads: " (my name) interference with vendors and Directors, her alteration of Association common areas, and her repeated baseless claims have created a significant and costly nuisance and interference with vendors, Directors, and other residents' quiet enjoyment of their units. While the board is choosing not to levy fines against your unit. As it has a right to do, the Association will not permit this conduct to continue. If there are further violations, the Association will levy fines and might take further legal action. Under the Association's governing documents and Washington law, you will be responsible for these fines plus all legal fees and costs incurred.

The Board wishes to express its concern again for (my name) It wants her to live peacefully and happily and encourages you to work to relieve her anxiety."

The letter from "Philip" doesn't address the repairs on our condo, and why there will be "no more repairs." And what are the projected consequences for our condo and the whole complex if my one condo gets damaged and condemned.

I understand that the letter from HOA is yet one more incident of subjecting me to intimidation by the HOA Board. And, the letter is apparently attempting to pre-establish false evidence against me. This is after a series of verbal threats I've been subjected to, since 2022. I've been threatened with violence and that I'll be "sued for defamation" if I asked for condo maintenance and if I oppose the privatization or re-privatization efforts.

Besides the direct quote from the HOA letter, all other quotes are from memory.

None of the "unofficial" info listed above has been discussed during HOA meetings. 

None of the "unofficial" info is included in the HOA documentation, the meeting minutes.

The letters I received from HOA deny the existence of any such issues.  

To summarize: deliberate, man-made damage to our condo drainage/gutter system has been done.

At the start of this rainy season, there has already been flooding of the roadway; overflowing gutters send water towards the walls of the building. But I received no response to requests for repairs and no emergency response. More damage is likely to occur soon.

Meanwhile, I've received letters threatening large fines and legal action against me for requesting repairs, trying to divert water from the condo and for and contacting management company. 

I understand that our condo is put under deliberate, man-made circumstances of major damage that might lead to condemnation and loss of our $250,000 (market value) condo.

And, that our condo is put at risk of ground instability.