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  1. #1
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    Question New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    My question involves a condominium located in the State of Maryland.

    I recently purchased my first home, a condo in Maryland.

    I have received a bill for $400 for repair work that was done before I actually took title. All of my requests for more information on why I am to pay rather than why the original owner was not billed have not been responded to except to state that "I am responsible as the current owner" by the property manager, who only communicates via email.

    I am very frustrated by this; my emails to the property manager have been polite and respectful and I have put a lot of time into being as clear as possible.

    The Bylaws are written in a way that is not clear to a regular person, one section seems to indicate that I shouldn't have been sent the bill, "Priority of Lien, it states that the "mortgagee who takes title by virtue of foreclosure of a mortgage, or by deed or assignment in lieu of foreclosure of a mortgage, or any purchaser at a foreclosure sale, will take the Unit free of any claims for unpaid assessments and charges by the Council against the Unit which accrue prior to the time such mortgage or purchaser takes title to the Unit."

    But the property manager states that that section pertains to the lender: which means that the lender for the loan can not include that repair work bill in the loan? Is that what that means?

    I feel like I'm getting ripped off as I believe that this repair should have been included at closing for the original owner to pay. What am I missing? It seems to me that this is as if I had purchased a stereo and now have received a bill to pay for repair work that was done to fix the cassette deck.

    What are my options? Do you have a suggestion on where I can go to find out my rights?

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    Are you stating that you acquired the property via foreclosure?

    If not, what does your purchase contract say about payment of any debts to the association, incurred prior to closing? Is the seller bound to pay those debts? If so (or even if not) have you asked the seller to pay the bill?

    Is this bill for something specifically pertaining to your unit, or is this a special assessment (or something else - and if so, what)?

  3. #3
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    Default Re: New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    Are you stating that you acquired the property via foreclosure?

    If not, what does your purchase contract say about payment of any debts to the association, incurred prior to closing? Is the seller bound to pay those debts? If so (or even if not) have you asked the seller to pay the bill?

    Is this bill for something specifically pertaining to your unit, or is this a special assessment (or something else - and if so, what)?
    Thanks for your response. I didn't actually state it, but yes, the condo was in foreclosure when I purchased it. Is that a special situation that makes this situation make more sense?

    The repair work was done on duct work that connected our condo to the outside vents.

    Thanks for any information.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    If you purchased the condo from its owner after the initiation of foreclosure proceedings, but not through the foreclosure, the clause you cite doesn't apply. If you purchased through a foreclosure sale at the conclusion of the foreclosure process, for example, it would apply.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    If you purchased the condo from its owner after the initiation of foreclosure proceedings, but not through the foreclosure, the clause you cite doesn't apply. If you purchased through a foreclosure sale at the conclusion of the foreclosure process, for example, it would apply.
    As I wrote, this is my first home, so my understanding of the terminology is limited.

    I didn't go through a foreclosure process (I would know right?) - I worked with my real estate agent and bought it from Home Source, a real estate asset management company.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    And your purchase agreement says what about this issue?

  7. #7
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    Default Re: New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    And your purchase agreement says what about this issue?
    It doesn't say anything about this issue as the lawyers who handled the settlement were not informed of this claim against the condo.

    I had asked them about this and they had said that it was not mentioned when they asked what was due to be paid. All other issues were paid by the seller before settlement.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    Not about this fee in particular. About condo fees.

    As you apparently had a lawyer handling your closing, ask your lawyer.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: New Condo Owner Billed for Work Performed Before Purchase

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    Not about this fee in particular. About condo fees.

    As you apparently had a lawyer handling your closing, ask your lawyer.
    I'll have to look at the bylaws. The lawyer said that they could look at it, but it would cost as much as the repair and that I may end up paying the repair anyway.

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