North Jersey Property Management (NJPM) who is responsible for The Hamlet 55+ home owner community in Sparta, NJ is being unresponsive to voice mails, phone calls, emails, and text messages (Heather) to serious safety concerns. We just purchased unit D5 and noted serious issues. The owner of NJPM is Heather Wolstenholme (owner and principal; https://northjerseypm.com/about-us/ ) and the HOA president Sylvia Mulbury have been repeatedly informed with no response to the requests for a resolution or a plan of action.
This property is for adults 55+. The majority of the owners are elderly over 65 and near 90s. While touring the property with the realtor and since moving in, I informed them of the following:
1) The exit doors do not open with a push button for those who utilize wheelchairs and walkers. The glass doors are EXTREMELY heavy. My parents cannot manage these doors without assistance. I watched yesterday, a couple in their late 80s early 90s, one in a wheelchair, one barely walking, get hit while trying to enter this building. They are residents here too.
2) There is no sign warning residents that there is a significant step down to the trash room on the lower floor. This floor needs to be leveled out with a ramp for wheelchair access. The light for the room is so far away from the door (to the right) that you have to enter a pitch black room in order to reach it. The ridiculously heavy metal door needs for the guide to close slower, so the door closes dangerously fast behind you. It has knocked my mom over. Then, you stumble around in the dark hoping to find the switch. The first day I went in there, I fell over the trash and bins on the floor reaching for the light. Before that, I fell into the room due to not knowing there was a big step down. This door too, needs to have a wheel chair door opener.
3) The equipment in the exercise room has been broken since September according to one resident. One of the reasons we bought here (closed on purchase last week) was due to the fact my dad, a disabled vet, can benefit from the treadmill, yet both do not work. One of the resident's has been told by Silvia, HOA president there is no money. He even offered to pitch $200.00 to help to replace the machine, nothing has been done about this. My father's PT has provided a packet with a plan that is would greatly strengthen his stamina and leg muscle weakness.
4) I asked for the previous year's Profit and Loss report with line items of all expenses. This is property owner's right to examine how our HOA dues (we pay nearly $700.00 per month) are being spent.
5) Half if not more of the lights are too dim or missing light bulbs. In the public walk ways creating a tripping and falling hazard.
6) Although the hallways have AC/Heat, they are turned off and it got into the 80s last week in them. I had trouble breathing while walking to and from my apartment. I have residual lung issues.
7) Our bank while attempting to get a mortgage, was told by the property management company, that the roof was not built properly by the original builder and needs to be replace. We were told there are no funds in the HOA saved for property maintenance and upkeep of the common areas of the building. The purpose of HOA fees is to set aside $ for these ongoing needs. They were told there is no approved loan for this roof replacement. When asked what the roof assessment would be, we were told, we have no idea. Because of this, the bank declined the mortgage.
8) The president of the HOA, fellow owner in unit D10, screamed at me when I brought these safety items to her attention, stating I cannot worry about these safety issues, I have other issues here. I brought to her attention that the board and the property management company have a fiduciary responsible to ensure the safety of this place. She continued with "put it in writing". I asked Heather for her email, she continues to ignore my requests.
9) The entrance to the front lobby/door is not graduated and my father has tripped over the lip.
10) The public exterior windows are filthy cover in dirt and cobwebs.
11) The rug in the back elevator is not flat, it is curled up on the right side creating another tripping hazard.
12) The code for the front security doors to open them noted in the pamphlet does not work. Again, I am being ignored to my request for receiving the correct ones, so we can come in to our property.
13) The young man who works for NJPM whose name is Sam, has told me he has been told by his boss (Heather) he is not allowed to speak to me. They do not answer calls from my cell phone. If I use a fake number, they immediately pick up the call.
14) The president of the HOA yells and berates as a communication style and is autocratic instead of collaborative in her role. She has personally screamed at me, my sister, my nephew and his gf. The other residents have told me she does this behavior all the time. Many shared that they are afraid to complain. read more
