Q: Is there a government agency that associations are responsible to? If so. can you please give me the address, phone number and or e-mail of such an agency? Is there also a professional agency that oversees all associations and their activities? I am dissatisfied with the way my association and their lawyer have responded to a problem that I have that can cause me to lose my home, a home that has over $ 100,000 in equity.
A: The government agency that is responsible in monitoring associations is known as the Ombudsman Office, which is a department within the Nevada Real Estate Division. The office is located at 2501 E. Sahara Ave. in Las Vegas. The main telephone number is 486-4033.
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There are three professional organizations that potentially can assist homeowners with their association problems.
The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors has an arbitration and mediation division whereby the general public can file a complaint against a member of the Realtor organization and that member's company who has violated the Realtors' code of ethics.
The Realtor Organization has no jurisdiction or authority over nonmembers or of association boards of directors.
The Institute of Real Estate Management has a similar division whereby the general public can file a complaint against an individual member of the Institute and his or her company for violating the Institute's code of ethics but has no jurisdiction or authority over nonmembers or of association boards.
The Community Association Institute (CAI) is another professional organization that may also be able to assist the general public but again they must be members of the CAI.
If the reader has such a serious problem that could affect the equity of his home, he should immediately consult an attorney.
The attorney can determine if legal action must be initiated through the courts or through the arbitration and mediation process of the Nevada Real Estate Division. In addition, the attorney can determine if formal ethical complaints can be filed with the three professional organizations.
Barbara Holland, certified property manager, is president and owner of H&L Realty and Management Co. She is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management and is the author of two books on the subject. Holland is a past president of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors. Questions may be sent to Association Q. & A., P.O. Box 7440, Las Vegas, NV 89125. Her fax number is 385-3759.
