Q. I am at the end of the purchase of a condo in Pompano Beach. I just found out that the association wants me to pay one year of condo fees in escrow for three years, and continue to pay the regular fees monthly. With all the cash outlay when purchasing a condo, and having to replace windows and doors, and the electrical box, we don’t have the money to tie up for three years as we are retiring. Could you please advise?

—Can’t Afford This Added Burden

A. According to Rachel Frydman, an attorney based in Boca Raton who specializes in condo and HOA law: “After the last housing market crash, condominium associations were very concerned that new owners would purchase a unit with very little down and end up not being able to make ends meet, which resulted in a delinquency to the condominium. Such delinquency then caused a burden to the remaining owners, who had to make up the shortfall in the budget. 

“In an attempt to avoid such financial strain on the condominium owners, boards of directors have chosen to adopt escrow policies, which require funds to be placed in an escrow or other separate account for a certain number of years, until either the owner becomes delinquent and the funds are used by the association; or the owner reaches the number of years delinquency-free and then is able to receive the refund of the escrowed funds. This type of escrow scenario is beneficial to all members of a condominium association.  However, check the governing documents for the association as this type of burden placed on the purchase of a unit should be effectuated by an amendment to the Declaration, and not just a rule and regulation.”