Checking to see if HOA fees have been paid

[Beccabunny]

Is there a way to do this? Also, when checking tax records, is the owner's name enough? I know the name of street in Windsor Hills, but not the exact unit number.

 

[bbwhos]

I know you can check by the owner's name. Not sure about HOA fees though? Good point.

 

[sjanus]

You can't check on the HOA Fees, because the HOA is not allowed to publish this information due to privacy laws. You can check if the owners paid their taxes by going to the Osceola County Tax site...and you can check to see if the home is for sale by going to www.zillow.com if you know the address of the unit you are renting. You should receive from the owner before your arrival a Windsor Hills Voucher to enter the resort, which should have their address. This is what you use to retrieve your passes at the Clubhouse. If there is a problem with their account, this is where you will find out about it, unfortunately.

There is a formal Windsor Hills site, www.windsorhillsmaster.com, if you would like to go there and get any information about process, etc., lots of information on there.

Hope that's helpful. Hope all is okay with your rental.

Sandy

 

[Beccabunny]

Thanks! I just checked the tax records. Everything is paid in full. I think that's a great sign! I am sure everything will work out fine. I just tend to be one of those people who worry a lot. Again, thanks for the suggestions!

 

[livndisney]

If you are concerned, you can also check public records online. Public records for the county the property is located in may help give you an idea if the home is in forclosure, or if the HOA has placed any liens on the property.

 

[BellyBaby]

Ask the owner directly - by email, so the resonse you get is in writing. I've heard of some people showing up and there's no TV because the cable was cut off by the HOA.

 

[sjanus]

The HOA provides basic cable to all the properties at Windsor Hills, included in the HOA fee. Some owners go beyond and get extra channels, HD, etc., so check with the owner/mgt. co. to see what your townhome has. They should be able to tell you straight up. It's a small number of people who have had their cable disconnected, because they are way behind on their HOA fees; if they are in this position, I would imagine you would know from your time of arrival, as their homes would be in turmoil, probably pretty bad financial situation. You would also have to pay for use of the Clubhouse if not sorted by owner. This is not a usual situation, it is the minority. IMHO chances are if they pay their taxes, they are probably paying HOA fees, no guarantees, but it is a good gauge.

But beware of owners with very low prices, poor communication, lousy calendars, etc. Just do your homework, talk to the owners, and if a red flag goes up anytime during the process, go with your instincts and check things out. Not just in WH but all communities, as Florida overall is hard hit with short sales and foreclosures. You will find Windsor Hills is probably a resort with fewer situations like this, but yes they do occur there, too.

I recently rented a townhome for February 2011 in Clearwater and went through all the VRBO and Homeaway, and before I rented checked out the zillow website to see if properties were for sale. I was going to rent one, after getting contract, through this research, found out it was in short sale. Needless to say, I moved on, after calling them on it, and found a wonderful townhome across from Clearwater Beach with a wonderful owner. Took lots of effort, and e-mailed lots of people before deciding. It is an important decision, it is your vacation, which you saved and planned for, and should be as perfect as possible!

Renting from owners is great, you just have to put the time in and do your homework, and you should be fine!

Sandy

 

[dougsmom98]

Ask the owner directly - by email, so the resonse you get is in writing. I've heard of some people showing up and there's no TV because the cable was cut off by the HOA.

This happened to me several years ago.

I wish I had thought to look at the public records. I wonder if that would have given me a heads up.

 

[gqchicago]

You would also have to pay for use of the Clubhouse if not sorted by owner. This is not a usual situation, it is the minority. IMHO chances are if they pay their taxes, they are probably paying HOA fees, no guarantees, but it is a good gauge.

That statement is incorrect...if a homeowner is in arrears to the HOA, 2 things happen.
1 - Their cable TV to their home is cut off.
2 - All clubhouse priveleges / pool access are suspended. There is no ability for the guests or the owners to "pay" for access..that is an incorrect statement.

Next, the HOA will place a lien on the property, and then begin foreclosure proceedings. You might be able to see records of this on the Osceola County tax assessor's website, as it does become a public record. The HOA actually now owns a home in the resort as a result of such a foreclosure.

Unfortunately, until this policy was enacted by the HOAs, a delinquent owner would pay their mortgage, taxes, and even utility bills, but not their HOA fees. Some owners were continuing to rent out their homes and collect rents while this was going on. Since this policy has been in place, many more owners have been paying their fees, it seems to be working!

If someone is seriously in financial trouble, chances are they're not paying any of their bills anyhow, those that are borderline at least pay off the HOA now so that the cable and pool access don't get cut off, otherwise they will end up with some very pissed off guests on their hands. It was a harsh action, but one that needed to be taken, otherwise the resort ends up in financial trouble in the long run, and we don't want it that way!

 

[JANNYANS]

Next, the HOA will place a lien on the property, and then begin foreclosure proceedings. You might be able to see records of this on the Osceola County tax assessor's website, as it does become a public record. The HOA actually now owns a home in the resort as a result of such a foreclosure.

Would this be a home on Otterspool? If so, then County records suggest that the HOA did not realize that the home had a mortgage on it at the time. This might be expensive.

John

 

[sjanus]

That statement is incorrect...if a homeowner is in arrears to the HOA, 2 things happen.
1 - Their cable TV to their home is cut off.
2 - All clubhouse priveleges / pool access are suspended. There is no ability for the guests or the owners to "pay" for access..that is an incorrect statement.

Next, the HOA will place a lien on the property, and then begin foreclosure proceedings. You might be able to see records of this on the Osceola County tax assessor's website, as it does become a public record. The HOA actually now owns a home in the resort as a result of such a foreclosure.

Unfortunately, until this policy was enacted by the HOAs, a delinquent owner would pay their mortgage, taxes, and even utility bills, but not their HOA fees. Some owners were continuing to rent out their homes and collect rents while this was going on. Since this policy has been in place, many more owners have been paying their fees, it seems to be working!

If someone is seriously in financial trouble, chances are they're not paying any of their bills anyhow, those that are borderline at least pay off the HOA now so that the cable and pool access don't get cut off, otherwise they will end up with some very pissed off guests on their hands. It was a harsh action, but one that needed to be taken, otherwise the resort ends up in financial trouble in the long run, and we don't want it that way!

Thanks for clarifying.....I knew the owners couldn't pay then for guest usage, but when first implemented, it was then stated guests had the option to pay per day for use of the Clubhouse, didn't know this was changed.

As a result of these measures, Windsor Hills is financially solid and guests can be assured of the continuation of great facilities, upkeep, etc.

Sandy

 

[gqchicago]

Would this be a home on Otterspool? If so, then County records suggest that the HOA did not realize that the home had a mortgage on it at the time. This might be expensive.

John

Long story, but something I'm not at liberty to comment on, especially on a public internet forum like this one!