Complaint Review: Beazer Homes/Leland Management - Orlando Florida

I live in a new community near Avalon Park called Timber Pointe. It is managed by Leland Management and the community was built by Beazer Homes. Since I moved in during June 2005, I have had several issues with Leland Management and them not upholding the policies they have written and distributed to the residents. Since the community is not fully completed, the builder has appointed the Board of Directors. They will turn it over to the residents when it is 90% completed which should be in about six to seven months.

Two weeks ago, we received a letter in the mail notifying all the residents of the annual meeting to approve the budget. This meeting would be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 2:15pm downtown. They also enclosed a copy of the proposed budget for 2007. If you read it carefully, it stated that they are raising our monthly HOA fees from $183 per month to $244. In my opinion, it was hidden in there to not cause attention. I contacted Leland Management asking if they could move the meeting to a time when the residents could attend like other HOA's on our area and if I was reading it correctly that the rate was going up $59. This was the response I received:

Hi Patrick

The Assessment for 2006 is $183.85. The proposed amount for 2007 is $244.00. The primary reason for the increase is due to the increase in the property insurance premiums. The 2006 Budget for property insurance was $90,000.00, the property insurance for the 2007 Budget is $300,000.00.

The community of Timber Pointe is still under construction, thus the developer Board is still in control. Approval of the Budget is a function of the Board of Directors. The turnover of the community will take place when the threshold (per the documents) is met. At that time a homeowner Board will be elected. A homeowner elected Board does not change the process. A homeowner Board is still responsible for the approval of a Budget. The proposed Budget was sent to all owners as required by the documents and the Florida Statute. The Board of Directors has the responsibility of maintaining the community, and ensuring that the funds are available to do so.

Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely

Robin Spencer

Needless to say, nothing was mentioned about having a meeting with the residents and basically it sounded like we were out of luck. I spoke to some neighbors and we made a flyer and placed it on the doors of every house in the community telling people to contact Leland Management and voice their concern. The response I received was incredible. Many people did not receive the letter and were mad that they were raising the fee when we are not getting a satisfactory management company. Incidentally, someone crashed through our main gate during the evening over a month ago and it still has not been fixed. There are many questions that we as residents want to ask but they will not meet with us.

In addition, I looked online at Beazer Homes to find out who to contact at the corporate office. The Chief Operating Officer of Beazer Homes is Michael H. Furlow. The VP/COO of Leland Management is David Furlow and the Community Association Manager for Leland Management is Rebecca Furlow. I have asked our Board President, Don Danos, in an email this week what, if any, the relation is between all of them and he has refused to answer me. I have copies of all the correspondence I have had with Leland Management.

What can be done? This company needs to be investigated.

Patrick

Orlando, Florida
U.S.A.