By: Mitchell Drimmer, CMCA, LCAM
Most homeowners and Board Members want the same thing: a safe, clean, and happy community. Of course, that takes money. Assessments pay for everything—landscaping, pools, insurance, repairs, elevators, garbage chutes, and capital improvements, just to name a few.
But when someone falls behind, Boards often hesitate. This is where cognitive dissonance sadly comes into play.
The Story of Mr. Jones
Let’s say Mr. Jones stops paying his condo fees. This money is needed to cover the building’s expenses.
The Board knows this! Of course they know this, because they run the numbers every month and know exactly what those fees cover. They think: “We need those fees to keep the building running.”
But, they also know Mr. Jones. And they like Mr. Jones. So, they also think: “Mr. Jones is a nice guy. We don’t want to upset him by sending him to collections.”
Both thoughts feel true, but they don’t match up. That’s cognitive dissonance—holding two clashing ideas at once.
What Happens When the Board Waits
Instead of acting, the board rationalizes the waiting game. “Maybe Mr. Jones will catch up on his own,” they think. Or, “We don’t want to be the bad guys.”
So, they delay.
Months pass. Mr. Jones now owes thousands instead of hundreds. The community has less money for bills, and other owners must pick up the slack.
By the time the Board acts, the debt is so large that it becomes hard, maybe even impossible, for Mr. Jones to recover. Everyone loses.
The Smarter Way: Partnering with Axela
Boards can break this cycle by embracing a simple truth: collections are not personal. They’re essential to keeping the community strong. That’s why Axela Technologies has built a suite of services to help Boards act quickly, fairly, and compassionately:
- First Notice Plus™ – The gentle but firm first step in the full recovery process, giving owners the chance to resolve issues before the problem grows.
- Easy Collect™ – Our no up-front cost collection technology product. Using an ethical approach, 98% of delinquencies resolve without legal action.
- Auto-Submit – Set a delinquency threshold and let automation take care of the rest. No debates, no selective enforcement, just fair, consistent action.
- Property Eye™ – Stay ahead of property sales, refinances, or ownership changes, so your association never misses an opportunity to collect.
Why Acting Early Is Kind
Acting early isn’t being “the bad guy”—it’s an act of kindness. Allowing an owner to sink deeper into debt helps no one.
By stepping in quickly with Axela’s technology, Boards:
- Give struggling owners the best chance to catch up.
- Keep assessments manageable while debts are still small.
- Protect the entire community’s financial health.
When Boards face their discomfort and act with fairness, everybody wins.
Take Action for Your Community
If your association is struggling with delinquencies, don’t wait until a small problem becomes a financial disaster. Let Axela take the burden off your shoulders with our comprehensive, robust suite of HOA collection technology products.
Ready to strengthen your community’s cash flow? Contact us today and discover how Axela can help your community cure delinquencies kindly.
