THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Debtor Frequently Asked Questions - Answered!
Office Related:
– How can I obtain my current balance?
You may write a request and send to our Severna Park office at 5 Riggs Avenue, Severna Park, Maryland 21146, or via facsimile mail 410.544.7294 or via E-mail at elg@el-grp.com.
– May I make payment by personal check?
No. All payments are to be made in the form of cash, certified funds, money order or the equivalent.
– How can I confirm if a payment has been received?
You may write a request and send to our Severna Park office at 5 Riggs Avenue, Severna Park, Maryland 21146, or via facsimile mail 410.544.7294 or via E-mail at elg@el-grp.com. Upon payment in full, you will receive a copy of a letter returning your file control to our client or its managing agent.
– To whom do I make any drafts payable?
All payments are to be made payable to your Community, e.g. Easy Living Condominium. Please include our file number in the reference section of your letter for faster processing if available (e.g. 12345.123).
– Where should I mail my payment?
All payments should be mailed to Elmore & Throop, P.C., 5 Riggs Avenue, Severna Park, Maryland 21146 unless the letter you received directs you to send the payment elsewhere.
– Can I drop off a payment after hours?
Yes, there is a mail-slot to the left of the front door at 5 Riggs Avenue’s main entrance. Please put any correspondence or payment in an envelope with your name, address, our account number, and the name of your community.
– When is my payment due?
Generally, assessments are due on the 1st day of the month. However, if you are in a payment agreement with our office, your particular date may vary so refer to your signed copy of any payment agreement you may have with us.
– Will I receive a receipt that I paid my debt in full to your office?
Upon confirmation of all funds received or checks clearing the bank for all debts owed, you will receive a copy of a Return File Control Letter addressed to our client or its managing agent noting the status of your account. If you receive this letter, it will direct you to begin sending payments as directed by our client or its managing agent instead of our office.
– How can I get a let a third party talk to your office about my account?
By law, our office can only talk to the titled owners. If you as the titled owner wish someone else to communicate to our office about your account, you need to send a signed letter of authorization advising our office with whom we may speak. Only facsimiles of the letter of authorization or the original will be accepted i.e. emails will not.
– Do I need to get a Resale Package when I am selling my home?
Yes, whether you live in a Condominium or Homeowners Association, the seller is required to provide the buyer with a Resale Package. Contact your management company for further details.
I just received a _________, now what?:
– I just received a Demand Letter, now what?
Please review the letter carefully. In order to avoid additional collection efforts and acceleration of your account, if applicable, your payment in full must be received by our office within fifteen (15) days of the date of the letter. Depending upon the date of the letter, you may also be responsible for a late fee and the following month’s assessment.
– I just received a Notice of Intention to Create a Lien, now what?
Please review the letter carefully. In order to avoid additional collection efforts, including acceleration of your account, if applicable, your payment in full must be received by our office within fifteen (15) days of the date of the letter. In order to avoid recordation of a lien against your property, your payment in full must be received by our office within thirty (30) days of the date of service of the letter. Depending upon the date of the letter, you may also be responsible for a late fee and the following month’s assessment.
– I just received a Summons and Complaint, now what?
You need to review the material carefully and respond as you feel appropriate. You may wish to contact the attorney who signed the lawsuit papers to discuss the matter at 800.717.0642.
Payment Plans:
Many of our clients are generally willing to enter into reasonable payment agreements (usually not more than 3-6 months) with delinquent homeowners. If you wish to enter into a payment agreement, you must send a detailed proposal outlining 1) how much you intend to pay, for example, $300.00, and 2) how often you intend to pay i.e. $300.00 monthly. Generally, you will still be responsible for accruing interest and any future assessments as they become due. In this regard, you will be responsible for paying the next fiscal year assessment as it becomes due IN ADDITION TO any installments payments made on the delinquent balance in accordance with a repayment agreement.
What is _______________?:
– What is “acceleration of assessments”?
It means that if a homeowner has failed to pay the regular installments when due, the Board in accordance with the governing documents may “accelerate” all remaining installment payments for that fiscal year. In other words, any remaining installments of the assessments for the entire fiscal year will all be due in the current month.
– What is a Lien?
A lien is a written instrument recorded among the Land Records (at the courthouse) in the County where the property is located. The lien will “cloud” the title to your property and will make the debt public record. The debt will be attached to the property and will secure the Association’s repayment of a debt out of any value in your property. Once the debt and all interest and costs associated with it are paid in full, the lien will be released by filing a “Release of Lien” among the Land Records.
– What is a Lockbox?
This is a banking process employed by many or our clients whereby if you are delinquent and the matter has been turned over to our offices for collection, your account will be “blocked” and your check will not be automatically processed if sent to the lockbox rather than to our office. Your check will be forwarded by the bank to the management company who in turn may forward to our offices. If your account is delinquent, it is important for you to follow directions as provided in our letters to avoid delay in processing your payments and additional late fees, interest and costs being assessed to your account. All payments are to be mailed care of Elmore & Throop, P.C., 5 Riggs Avenue, Severna Park, Maryland 21146 unless directed otherwise by our offices. Do NOT make drafts payable to the law firm. The money you owe is to your community, not us.