Passing Costs Back to the Homeowner - The Proposed Revised Maintenance Matrix

11/26/2023 44 Comments

Passing Costs Back to the Homeowner - The Proposed Revised Maintenance Matrix

44 Comments

Sheri Weinberg

11/26/2023 11:12:47 am

Hello

My husband and both a villa and a condo. Why isn't this going for a community vote. Why does the board get to unilaterally pass these huge changes ? Our HOA's have gone up significantly every year to cover "unknown" costs. While we continue to love this community, our board seems to think they can make changes at will without a community vote. Insurance in California is challenging at best right now. The board wants to toss the challenge of obtaining the additional required insurance onto property owners!! . If a tree thats an HOA tree falls, it's now the responsibility of the owner to repair damage. That's just nonsense.

Concerned homeowner

11/26/2023 11:59:00 am

The board is trying to pull a fast one. It was suppose to be on the next ballot for all homeowners to vote on. They knew it would not get the 67% needed to pass so they have once again changed the rules.

Concerned homeowner

11/26/2023 12:02:04 pm

I just don’t get it! Why is everything such a big secret when it comes to the board spending our money! We love Desert Princess. We all want to live in peace and enjoy what we have right in front of us. Unfortunately we can’t seem to get a break when it comes to the things our HOA BOARD keeps trying to pull on us.
All homeowners need to pay attention to this one. It is a doozy!

Whitney Baez

11/26/2023 02:20:46 pm

Of course I have an outstanding work order to fix my patio. I live next to a Sand trap and my patio is cracking at the slider. It was submitted and has been “under review” for almost a year. So old DPCC. I feel like we need to find impartial representation. What can we do? Maybe these should apply to new owner, those after this becomes a reality.

Concerned as well

12/2/2023 11:54:25 am

If these specific maintenance items are covered in the CC&R's, then cannot be changed except by 2/3 majority vote of homeowners to amend CC&R's. .

Sheri Weinberg

12/2/2023 01:26:00 pm

There must be an attorney amongst the community residents ? I agree that at this point we must turn to legal advice before any of this gets passed and the residents continue to be ignored. We definitely need new guidance instead of listening to board members.

Janet Hayes

11/26/2023 01:33:31 pm

Does anyone know if the existing Maintenance Plan is part of the CC&Rs? If it is, it cannot be changed or modified without a vote of the homeowners. Also, if a property is damaged by a tree that is on HOA community property, the CC&Rs probably state that the HOA is responsible. Again, any change would have to be put to a vote or the board is in violation. Checking the CC&Rs would be the first step.

MAGGIE HOOD

12/2/2023 11:53:22 am

The Maintenance Plan is not actually part of the CCR's exactly. However, when we purchase our properties here, this information is given to us in escrow. We are supposed to read the stuff and make our decisions whether to purchase BASED ON the info provided. As a Realtor (for 34 years) I realize the importance of this and read every word. I bought my condo BASED ON what I was supposed to be responsible for and what the HOA was responsible for, IN OTHER WORDS - WHAT MY DUES WERE SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR!! I don't even think this can be legal? I think we all need to get an attorney. How in fricken hell can they raise our dues - $215/mo since 2019 and take away what was promised to be paid for. Our Board, going back many years has created a money shortfall problem. By paying for shortfalls in the Country Club budget with money from the HOA, they have turned this from a "Residential Property" into a "Commercial Property", which is the reason we cannot get good rates on loans from Fannie and Freddie. This new proposal is part of a LARGER, HUGE PROBLEM and we as owners, need to fight back and re-take control.

Barry Burgelin

11/26/2023 02:31:49 pm

Sent to DPCC HOA Board of Directors:
Board Members:
After reading the Proposed Revisions to the Maintenance Matrix, it has become clear to us that there are substantial changes, especially to the Villa owners’ responsibilities, that will require significant changes to many owners insurance policies. Considering the current state of Homeowners Insurance in the State of California, we STRONGLY urge you to table this entire proposal until the Insurance issues are clearly settled. To move forward as proposed would cause an unwelcome upheaval, and more than likely, initiate some very unpleasant unforeseen problems that will inevitably cost many homeowners, and most likely the Association, some significant amounts of money.
In our opinion, considering the risks involved, this is NOT the time to make any changes that involve homeowners insurance.
Thank you for your time:
Barry and Rosetta Burgelin

Caroline M

11/26/2023 03:49:19 pm

It seems as though the board is trying to push expenses onto the owners so they can (possibly) show that they aren't raising the maintenance fees as much.

Very much against this and it seems as though it should be out for a full membership vote - not a vote by the board.

Joe Sandoval

11/26/2023 03:55:30 pm

So, let me get this straight - your Board indiscriminately votes to raise the HOA fees without a community vote, and now, those significantly higher HOA fees won’t cover exterior damages for which the HOA fees are intended?

Make this make sense.

It’s past time that Terry Swartz and the agreeing Board members are replaced with folks who have the best interest of the homeowners in mind.

msley

11/27/2023 03:15:46 pm

I totally agree, it is past time for Terry Swartz and her agreeing comrades to be replaced with the interests of all the residences. Major changes should definitely go before the whole community before any new issue is finalized. It was bad enough that they gouged us with the HOA dues increase which in my opinion was way out of line. What's next? Do the homeowners need to repair the streets next? Everything this board has done has HURT the residents. We have lost 3 of our neighbors due to the actions of this board. Let's not forget how these changes will affect the saleability of our properties. I have written to the board before with my opinions and Terry is always the first to reply with an answer which is condesending and not helpful.

MAGGIE H

12/2/2023 12:04:43 pm

Let's organize a meeting of owners without the board members and talk about what we can do!! When they have their "chats" they don't listen anyways. We have to stage a huge protest and shut them and their stupid ideas down. They did talk about a possible projected 50% insurance AGAIN next year, so they are thinking ahead but this just doesn't work for any of us. They should really stop wasting money and trying to turn DP into something it's not. Do you all realize they spent nearly $50,000 on the NEW IMPROVED Fitness Center proposal that wasn't needed and got canned? Do you realize they have spent more than several hundred thousand dollars on "tree studies" and that landscaping plan, that also got scrapped!! This wasteful spending has gotten us here. I have a small condo...anyone with a villa willing to host such an event? As much as I love living in this beautiful place, if this get approved, I will very likely sell. I didn't sign up for this stress. With insurance increases and these dues increases, I am now paying $300 more per month than 4 years ago. I'm sure most of you have similar stories. Sale prices are going down here, have you noticed?

Joe Sandoval

11/26/2023 03:56:21 pm

Completely agree

Debra Blair

11/26/2023 04:32:48 pm

Why is this not going to a vote of homeowners? Why is the HOA board able to make major changes without a vote from homeowners? I say no to this. Take a vote before major changes.

Gary Gerwig

11/26/2023 05:38:03 pm

I am very upset by these new "Proposed Revisions to the Maintenance Matrix." We just endured a huge increase in HOA fees which I thought covered expenses such as these! This is inappropriate. I bought a condo here in 2022, moved here in July when the HOA was $710 and by October it increased to $748 (a 5.35% increase which is reasonable). Then exactly a year later, WhamO! — it increased to $855 (a whopping 14.30% increase!). Now in November, only a month after it went up over 14% are we being asked to endure yet ANOTHER EXPENSE to include condo exterior & garage upkeep and sewer! ——are you kidding me? Is the board trying to cause a huge exodus from condo owners? Look, the HOA fee is already HIGH for this area. Although this increase hurt a lot, I had finally started to accept it. BUT THIS proposal IS UNACCEPTABLE. Even worse, this information must have been known before the huge dues increase: so why wasn’t this information available. I cannot endure anymore expenses PERIOD. I personally do not endorse any new expense increases to condo owners at this time.

Very upset homeowner

11/26/2023 06:27:08 pm

Can someone please tell me what Directors are on the governance committee? These people do not care about the homeowners who voted them in. We just had a huge monthly increase in our HOA dues and now they want us to pay for many items that were included in our dues. It seems Terry Swartz is on another power trip. The parking rules have been paused so she had to think of another way to screw the homeowners!!

Karla Westmoreland

11/26/2023 09:34:50 pm

This s plumbing issue is a concern as many trees are overgrown and roots are huge. We are now responsible for overgrown roots on trees that aren’t on our property? How do we know who will pay, our neighbor or us? What are we paying HOA fees for exactly? We have a lot of questions.

Terri Herrick

11/27/2023 05:00:18 am

Then what is HOA responsible for then? We should get lower HOA dues. Many of these proposed changes are never responsibility of owner that is why we have HOA. Perhaps you should look at other cost cutting why do we need 3 9 hole courses? This is Ridiculous proposal whoever prepared this should not be a condo or villa homeowner. We have owned since 2000 and was told our hoa dues would go down as we continued to build yet they are the highest ever again ridiculous

JOHN CALLAHAN

11/27/2023 07:23:48 am

If a common area tree falls on my roof, I'm responsible for the repair? Is this a joke. If my neighbor's tree falls on my roof, he is responsible for the repair. The HOIA is my neighbor. Why are you trying to shirk your responsibility. That's what homeowner's do that don't pay their HOA dues. Minor issues ( painting and caulking, ok) , but major issues on the condos like roof repair, that's insane or moronic, take your pick.

Continue to Disappoint

11/27/2023 09:41:47 am

Yet another fast one the board is trying to pull. This is getting ridiculous and another disappointing email and bad news from the board. After a significant increase in dues, throwing all those costs back on us! This is so wrong. We need to stop them from constantly changing the rules without owners feedback I suspect there are many more secrets yet to be exposed.

Marianne C Pettys

11/27/2023 12:39:45 pm

To truly have our voices and concerns heard and addressed, we each need to write to everyone on the board to express how we feel. Although we can communally commiserate with each other on this forum, nothing will happen unless each one of us writes our disapproval to each board member. In this blog we were provided with the live link to each Board Members email address. I wrote my complaint 1 time and copy/pasted it to each of their email addresses. We have to stand up for ourselves, we are paying top dollar for our HOA dues!

Sheri Weinberg

11/27/2023 12:44:22 pm

This is my second post to follow up after reading so many concerns. It’s my opinion that an attorney for the community needs to step in. A review of the by/laws and CC&R’s is a must for an outside attorney and then to relay what “we” the community can demand from the Board. The December 8th decision should not take place and having an atty could delay that process.

Do we have one?

11/27/2023 02:44:54 pm

Is there a DP resident who is an attorney and can give us some advice? Does anyone know of an attorney that we can call?

John Godwin

11/27/2023 02:42:33 pm

Several thoughts here ;
- First , no question the Board is making their problem our problem. There is no question as the complex ages the exact issues they are addressing will become more frequent not sure how to address .
- Outside caulking - this a real issue , this is not black and white . So , let’s say a neighbor want to put a pool in their backyard and they need to access their backyard through the area between the houses - this is what will cause foundation movement !!! The constant weigh of the Mimi dozer going back and forth pulling dirt out then moving some type of stone in could definitely cause foundation shift and cracking .So the Board needs to allow interested parties who want to put a pool in access from the golf course.
- I have no issue with the garage painting ,but in respect to this do not tell me what color to paint my garage door ! If the Board wants “ hands off” then it goes both ways !!
-Roofing- I disagree with this completely. The HOA needs to own this !
- Sewer lines , I think this should be a split cost . This is why we have a Capital Reserve ,to addressing these type issues .

I will finish later , have an issue I need to address . Thx John

Caroline M

11/27/2023 05:37:18 pm

The whole roof and trees falling on the roofs is really something. So many times, we've asked the landscaping to trim a tree and been told that "we aren't trimming any trees right now" or "we'll put it on a list and when we trim, we'll get to it" or "the board has said no tree trimming right now". And then we have to live with their unwillingness to maintain the property with the large fees we pay each month. Very frustrating.

Debra Blair

11/27/2023 05:42:28 pm

This sounds illegal.

Peggy

11/27/2023 09:48:46 pm

These proposed(?) changes are an immediate solution and slick maneuver while the proposed changes to the CC&Rs--related to condos vs. villas etc.--will take months to complete. Will that cost be shifted to the Homeowners? Changes to the CC&Rs will definitely increase villa owners' property insurance--at the very least. NOW, the HOA is attempting to shift HOA financial responsibilities, related to property maintenance, to ALL homeowners in a very convoluted plan.

Board election time is coming up....any thoughts from the HomeOwners as to how that will go?

Krys

11/27/2023 10:53:07 pm

Glad I am not the only one outraged over this! Thank you everyone for speaking out! It is clear that we all care for and appreciate this beautiful community and fear the proposed maintenance changes will decrease its integrity and future viability. This is far from what we signed up for when we purchased here and very far from an acceptable "update" to the current regulations. With the exception of the garage door painting, we are pleading and urging the board not to approve any of the proposed items on the Revised Maintenance Matrix!!

Kathy Rogers

11/29/2023 08:49:40 am

The summary on this blog does not appear to be consistent with the matrix that was just released by the HOA board so i am confused. For example, the blog says that homeowners will be responsible for load-bearing walls & that this is new. Can you direct me to where in the matrix you are getting this information? Also, the blog states that condo owners will be responsible for painting garage doors, but the matrix specifically states that the HOA is responsible for the painting of garage doors. Can whoever wrote this summary please clarify. Thank you.

Concerned homeowner

11/29/2023 10:02:20 am

What is this latest email from Terri Swartz?
It makes no sense. Is it a knee jerk reaction from the blog comments and community outrage.
She did not address any of the changes proposed. If I was just looking at the latest email, it sounds so hunky dory!
It is not. She is not addressing any of the changes proposed. I live in a villa and this is a major change. My current policy does not cover these changes.
We just had a $107 increase in dues. Why are we paying more and more and getting less and less.
This new email is an Enron. Do not let her fool any of us, why is Terri trying to pull the wool over all our eyes.???

Caroline M

11/29/2023 01:02:33 pm

My husband and I have sent an e-mail to the board that we will not be voting for the CC&R changes because, while we agree with the insurance changes, we will not vote for the maintenance matrix. Until the maintenance matrix is taken off the ballot, we will be voting against the insurance changes.

Stacy Kanda link

11/29/2023 02:57:51 pm

I understand the changes that were made to clarify the Maintenance Matrices.

I do have a question on if the "List of Insurance Responsibilities between Desert Princess HOA and Homeowners" has changed with the Insurance change. Did they send information about any changes made in responsibilities with the new insurance policy?

James Shipman

11/30/2023 11:46:30 am

Stacy, I agree with you. This is my focus. Although the HOA wants to eliminate their responsibility to these issues, does that mean we have no HOA sponsored insurance coverage to these changes? When they published the breakdown in our HOA dues, it was stated that the home-owners insurance was the largest unit increase. We are paying for a specific coverage. So now, are they saying they eliminate insurance responsibility? That is stealing and we can not condone that! We must stop this now.
-Jim Shipman

Dave Grant

11/29/2023 05:29:09 pm

e mailed to all Board members

Dear HOA Board members

Regarding the proposed maintenance matrix. I am proposing that you revisit the proposal and make the following changes
in order to make equitable changes for the benefit of all homeowners at the Desert Princess whereby all homeowners reap equal benefits for the same HOA fees paid.

You have obviously seen the need to make some changes as seen with regard to HOA insurance costs for condos and villas and your current thinking and posting in that regard.

Now you must go the whole way, whereby all costs paid by the HOA for condo owners ONLY benefit, are supported and paid for ONLY by condo owners, for instance,
with regard to condo buildings / garages maintenance etc. and free electricity.

Please produce a cost analysis of monies spent on all condo maintenance etc. to show the current inequity of benefits received by condo owners which is not shared by villa owners and which is therefore currently subsidised by villa owners.

Being fiduciaries, It behooves you to consider all homeowners and correct these anomalies which have existed for too long.

Thank you.

Dave Grant

James Shipman

11/30/2023 11:57:52 am

Amen Brother Dave! The villa owners have "sponsored" the negative action of many condo owners. We pay for their electricity to charge their golf carts, refrigerators, freezers, tools, etc. Their are a lot of good condo owners who follow the rules but many do not and the HOA turns their back on enforcement. They just pass it on to the villa owners. They can do one of two things; Make the condos pay their share or eliminate that cost to villa owners. Obviously they choose to do the easy work........NOTHING!

Pam Meadows

11/30/2023 12:03:33 am

I have emailed each board member to please start over. This makes no sense to me at all.

Ellen & Robert Lee

11/30/2023 12:41:04 pm

What has possessed this Board of Directors? It appears that the Board has lost sight of why we have purchased a condo in the first place. We purchased this property so our maintenance responsibilities were limited and paid for through the HOA monthly dues. Now, a tree we don't own falls on our roof or whose roots break our sewer line is our personal responsibility. Hog wash. Step up to the plate HOA Board and take care of the issues that are currently and should continue to be covered by the HOA Dues. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

ROTFL

12/4/2023 12:26:52 pm

I am just rolling over laughing so hard right now at the latest president’s message that was emailed out today.
This is just laughable.
“ The financial requirement is “spend every dollar you must but not a dollar more.”
-is this for real? What world is this president living in?
The moto demonstrated has been spend every dollar and then some. And then increase the fees so they can spend more!!! And execute more rules and regulations to create more revenue streams from residents.
And the board sees themselves as “long-term visionaries“?
I think not.
Unbelievable how many egotistical short sided self proclaimed pat on the backs there are contained in here.
This message is a joke. Who does he think he is fooling???

Takis P Vartelas

12/5/2023 08:15:06 am

This is crazy...What the heck is this? The Board keeps pushing against the homeowners. Don't they live here? They always fight against us and prevail because we do not fight back. We cannot live like that while entering our golden years...We never had those items they impose on us now when we first bought our properties.
TO ALL DESERT PRINCESS COMMUNITY: FIGHT BACK
We are here to enjoy our lives not to pay extra bills because some of those guys (and ladies) wake up in the morning and feel like pulling the carpet under our feet. These people are ruthless and we should FIGHT BACk using the same approach

Felicity

12/5/2023 07:17:04 pm

I am extremely concerned about all these major changes being made (proposed).
Item 1: driveway sprinkler ? If there are sprinkler pipes under the driveway and it breaks that is not and should not be a responsibility for the homeowner, that waters the common area, who laid sprinkler lines under a concrete driveway ? unheard of.
Item 2: common area sewer lines? I’m getting a feeling something must be underlying that we are not aware of. Too suddenly spring on us that we will be responsible for all repairs. I would like to see when last the sewer lines were inspected and that they are in good condition. And no underlying problems with common area sewer. In all my time as a property manager I never heard of homeowners being responsible for common area sewer and utility lines.
Item 3 plants and watering: I do not live there and that’s why I bought there because cc&rs say that would be all taken care of. So if your gardeners go there, am I to assume they will check sprinklers if they are broken they will report to us. Because I don’t want to get to my home and find all my landscaping dead. I have had that happen before where a lot of my plants died and that was because your landscapers did not do their job in seeing that my sprinkler system was down. The hoa sets the sprinklers and correct me if I’m wrong. so incorrect watering ? How is that my problem?
Item 4 : if a tree from the common area falls on my property how can that be my problem. Then you as the HOA should make sure the trees planted are wind resistant and nothing big is planted near the homes. I didn’t plant any trees the HOA did.
Item 5 : please be specific on Load bearing walls. If one of your trucks Reverses into my home and hits a wall I’m responsible? This to me is inconceivable. We pay a huge amount to the HOA and I feel that we are now being held responsible for items that were clearly your responsibility, I am not happy and I’m hoping that the people on the board that I’m sure are homeowners too see how this is going to effect all of us in a big way.

Janice Wermuth

12/13/2023 06:58:10 am

If I submit an order to the Maintenance Department to cut down the trees close to my condo so they don’t fall on my roof,
I would expect them to comply and pay for it without hesitation.

Janice Wermuth

12/13/2023 07:38:43 am

As an aside, I’ve always asked but never received any explanation as to the reason why for every eight condos, there are only six parking spaces in front of the condos. Can anyone explain this?

Caroline Marshall

4/5/2024 01:06:20 pm

This is not a comment on this post but for information to the creators of this post.

I was ticketed for speeding on Desert Princess Drive in February (32 in a 25 zone). The HOA says they have a speed gun that they are using and they have a zero tolerance for speeding. The fine is $250. I haven't seen anything posted about the HOA setting up speed traps in the community before or since I received the ticket. I do notice that there are more speed signs up showing 25 and 15 mph in the community. There are no signs on DPD going northwest toward the front gate. This has not been corrected even though I pointed it out to the board.

If the board truly has a zero tolerance for speeding, why aren't they setting up speed traps every day on different streets to a) slow down speeding traffic and b) earn a bunch of money to pay for their many expensive projects so they don't have to raise our maintenance fees again.

At this point, I feel as though I was singled out because I pointed out some serious problems to the hang tag fiasco to Teri Schwartz. I sometimes have 4 or 5 cars following me down DPD because I won't go beyond the speed limit and everyone else wants to do what we've all done in the past - cruise along at 30. I've also started to fully stop at the stop signs since this is also a point that they have on their form. Plus, I've been followed a couple of times since the ticket by security which irritates me but they have only seen me go the speed limit or below since then.

Anyway, not sure if this is of interest to you but if it is, I have all of my documentation for review if needed.

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Charter

This blog is designed as a means to provide transparency and informative access to the policies and protocols of the Desert Princess Palm Springs Homeowners Association, the governance of the HOA Board of Directors and the management of the community’s assets by The Management Trust. The expressed intent is to establish a neighborhood hub for trusted connections and the exchange of helpful information, goods, and services; it is hoped that homeowners will use it to build a stronger and safer Desert Princess Palm Springs.

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Passing Costs Back to the Homeowner - The Proposed Revised Maintenance Matrix

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