My HOA has gone through a lot of turmoil in the 4yrs that we have lived here. Our first management company embezzled money from us and left us in shambles. The next management company was willing to take us on even though we were broke. Once dues were collected the following year, things were starting to look up. Then, our HOA president moved from the neighborhood and just handed everything over to his next door neighbor. This neighbor decided that the $8,000 a yr in mangement fees was too much and he took it upon himself to fire them and take over all aspects of our HOA. When I questioned how he could do this without a vote or any input from other homeowners, he "appointed" me the treasurer. He promised that he would schedule an HOA meeting very soon. In the meantime, he never would respond to my requests to see the accounting books and be allowed in on any of the internal affairs of the HOA. I found out that he had a debit card on our HOA account and that he didn't even hire an accountant. He basically was handling everything himself. There were no checks and balances and when I brought this up, he became very defensive and ranted about how HE ALONE has turned this community around and has started to get things done (like a few minor repairs to the sidewalk). I wrote a letter to him requesting that we have an external audit conducted and that we hold an immediate HOA meeting to discuss the future of the way our HOA would be managed. I got more than 20% of the homeowners in the neighborhood to sign it and I sent it certified to him. He has never responded, we have had no meetings, and not to mention when he sent out the next HOA newsletter he had removed my name from the board. The homeowners in my neighborhood are very apathetic and will sign a letter, but do not really want to take an active role. They seem content to pay their annual dues and as long as the street lights stay on they are fine with not knowing where the $20,000+ a year is going. This man just sent out the HOA bill for dues for 2010 and I have until Jan. 31 to pay it. I have always paid mine, but I want to know that this man is not stealing money from us. I want to know if he can legally take over the HOA like some sort of dictatorship and never be held accountable for his actions. Where do I begin? Who do I contact?  How do I get my voice heard and finally get some answers?????

Check the Maryland Condo Act it tells you what your rights are. Also you can file a complaint with the Attorney Generals office in the state of Maryland. Lastly you can google the Thomas Schild Law Group they are in Maryland and can advise you.

Sounds like it's time to knock on doors with a petition to get rid of him.  Once all your neighbors find out they will pressure the Mgmnt. Co. and your president.  The more neighbors you tell the better.  Just remember the laws on slander, keep it civil or you will have a lawsuit on your hands.