what happens to a golf course that files bancruptcy in a hoa?

by Andres Koepp 10 min read

Some HOAs decide to swoop in and ‘rescue’ golf courses and country clubs facing imminent bankruptcy. In this case, the 40-year old Meadows Community Association, consisting of 3,450 homes, has obligated itself to a $3 million mortgage to purchase half of the Club’s debt. The Club owner and MCA board President are spinning this as a ‘Renaissance.’

Full Answer

What happens to my HOA dues if I file bankruptcy?

Jul 16, 2018 · HOA’s and their golf courses. Many residential communities have homeowners associations (HOA’s) or property owners associations (POA’s) which govern architectural standards, common area maintenance and community rules. Since some have golf or club amenities, whether the HOA/POA owns the club or not it has a vested interest in the club’s ...

What happens to private golf facilities when they go bankrupt?

Apr 10, 2020 · A common model in Florida is for the community to be governed by a homeowners’ association (HOA) and the golf course is separately owned …

What type of bankruptcy is best for an HOA?

Oct 03, 2020 · So what happens to these golf facilities once they go through the bankruptcy process? Usually a private golf facility forced into bankruptcy turns to becoming a Public Golf facility and starts charging green fees instead of membership dues.

Are homeowners’ association fees included in bankruptcy?

Jul 21, 2017 · Filing for bankruptcy as a homeowners’ association. In most cases, an HOA will file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. Rather than liquidating assets to pay off creditors, as happens under Chapter 7, this form of bankruptcy involves reorganizing financial management, starting with a freeze of liabilities.

What happens if a HOA board mismanages funds?

HOA boards have a fiduciary duty to exercise good faith and act within the community’s best interests . When the board improperly manages funds, homeowners can claim negligence of fiduciary duties. An individual board member or the board as a whole can be on the receiving end of a lawsuit.

What is the advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy?

A primary advantage of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is that it essentially allows your association to renegotiate contract terms.

Can a HOA file for bankruptcy?

HOA bankruptcy rarely happens, though there are some cases of it. However, just because an HOA can file for bankruptcy does not mean it should. If your association lacks the necessary funds to make up for all the debts, it is a good idea to consult ...

Does It Have To Happen?

The recent news of the bankruptcy filing of several of the country’s more upscale private golf clubs and resorts leads one to possibly assume the filing for bankruptcy was part of these facilities’ original business plan. With the billions of dollars of indebtedness reported in these filings’ it is obvious someone is going to take a big loss.

Those Who Have the Most Loss Little

In a going number of cases on the books today the protection given under the law is for someone, or a group of business people, who have access to millions of dollars of funds. Does bankruptcy hurt them? Not really.

Golfers Bailout

But, there is another group business people who are outsiders to these bankruptcy proceedings who also get hurt whenever a golf club or resort files for bankruptcy. These are the Golfers of the world. The reaction to avoid playing golf at a facility that filed for bankruptcy is normal. The question in golfers minds naturally would be..

How are HOAs funded?

HOAs are funded by assessments in the form of monthly dues charged to all homeowners in the association. The only way revenue can increase is by raising the monthly dues or a specail assessment. If the HOA’s expenses outweigh revenue, it will quickly begin to take on debt, which sooner or later will become more than it is able to sustain.

What does a trustee do in a bankruptcy?

The trustee has the power, in severe cases, to order the seizure of assets to ensure the HOA follows the directions of the bankruptcy court.

What is a condominium corporation?

Most homeowners belong to homeowners’ associations, also known as condominium corporations. These associations handle everything from general maintenance, setting rules for landscaping and garbage pickup to arranging community events and member recognition awards.

Can An Association File For Hoa Bankruptcy?

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In a word, yes. Much like a business organization, a homeowners association relies on money to stay in operation. This money comes from homeowners in the form of assessments, which the HOA then uses to pay for various services all in an effort to maintain the community and keep property values high. And, similar to a business…
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The Two Types of Bankruptcies

  • There are two main types of bankruptcies an HOA can file for: Chapter 7 and Chapter 11. Chapter 7 bankruptcy will liquidate all of the association’s assets in an attempt to settle its debts. Chapter 11, on the other hand, provides your association with legal protection against collection activities. This means creditors will stop seeking payment as an association reorganizes its affairs, assets…
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Reasons For Homeowners Association Bankruptcy

  • Apart from an economic decline, an HOA can go bankrupt due to a number of causes, the most common of which is poor money management. HOA boards can spend too much or spend money that the association does not have yet, resulting in a bankrupt HOA. Bankruptcy can also stem from underfunded reserves. A...
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What About The Homeowners?

  • Homeowners in an HOA community pay assessments to keep the association going. As such, homeowners are also held accountable for the association’s debts. It is important for homeowners to settle their share of the HOA’s financial commitments. Otherwise, the HOA can take the necessary steps to obtain the money. This means the association can sell personal pro…
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Watch Out For Legal Repercussions

  • If your HOA board mismanages the association’s finances, then you are at risk of legal liability. HOA boards have a fiduciary duty to exercise good faith and act within the community’s best interests. When the board improperly manages funds, homeowners can claim negligence of fiduciary duties. An individual board member or the board as a whole can be on the receiving en…
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Exhausting All Possible Alternatives

  • While HOA bankruptcy is an option, it should not be the first option for most homeowners associations. There are other possible courses of action that an HOA can take over filing for bankruptcy. Declaring bankruptcy has significant consequences and can negatively influence your association’s relationship with existing vendors and personnel. Before immediately jumping to b…
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Preventing Hoa Bankruptcy Is Possible

  • Although it remains an option, filing for HOA bankruptcy should be an association’s last resort. More often than not, bankruptcy’s root cause is mismanagement of funds. Your HOA board can prevent this from happening by exercising transparency, integrity, and an economical approach to making decisions. As long as your association practices proper budgetingand reserve planning, …
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