June 13, 2025 | Mark Luis Foster
From the “here’s another example of HOA hell” department comes news of an HOA in Lakeville (Avonlea Townhome Association) that is assessing its homeowners $17K each for roof repair due to a 2023 hail storm. A letter from the board about the issue was mailed to HOA residents.
From KSTP TV:
The letter says after “years and months” of negotiations, an offer from the association’s insurance company has been accepted, and a claim settled, and that the total damages amount to more than $2.5 million.
It notes the estimate includes full roof replacement for 26 of the 32 buildings, and partial roof replacement for the remaining six structures.
The letter says the cost is not covered by the association’s insurance policy, and that according to its “governing documents and applicable policies,” the cost must be assessed back to the homeowners.
Several residents are pushing back. One hired an independent inspector with a drone.
“We have had multiple bids, especially in the last week, that prove there’s no hail damage to our shingles,” one resident says. “So why are they replacing shingles that are not damaged at all? Either way, I’m a single mom with two kids and I lost my job 11 months ago, so I’m already trying to figure how to pay any bills.”
Some residents are accusing the board of a lack of communications.
“We have not had enough time, the insurance company hasn’t even been able to come out,” another resident says. “We have not had any numbers or information about what they found. We have been asking for that information, and nobody has come across it, and once again, it was just thrown at us.”
Watch the KSTP report HERE.
3 Comments
Comments are closed.
How could you reach a settlement with the insurance company when it is stated, in the letter to residents, that the association’s insurance company is not covering the cost?
Doesn’t pass the “smell “ test
Is the $17,000 made up of the deductible for the association insurance policy. What about the loss assessment on the homeowners HO 6 policy if the owners have that coverage.
This is an approved insurance claim settlement. Every master policy has a deductible. Thats what’s being passed on. The assessment letter sent to an owner should be forwarded to their personal H06 policy insurer. If the owner has correct coverage, i e. Loss Assessment, the owner will only have to pay their personal deductible (usually $500-1000). If the owner doesn’t have proper insurance, it’s their fault not the JOA.
Why does the HOA always have to be made the bad guys in a standard insurance claim process? It doesn’t matter what another insurance adjuster says, the Master Policy made a determination. Owners should educate themselves, not point fingers.