Landscaping Rant

[Gryphon]

So...Ill try to make a long story short here.
Im on my neighborhood association, and for the past year we've had problems with the company that provides landscaping services at all the common areas (which are somewhat extensive) and a portion of the neighborhood that is patio homes.  The company that we now use is owned by the same company that developed the property, and until last year, when the neighborhood was 80 percent complete, we could NOT fire them.
Last week, a few of the association board members (myself included) met with the "bosses" of the landscape company and our property manager.  We have a contract that outlines what they will provide and what we will pay them. They pointed out that they have not raised their price in 5 years. We pointed out that given the option, we would prefer to have the price raised versus service being cut, and if they needed to relook at what they were charging us, we would be open to that. However, just because they are "losing money" is no reason why they should shirk the duties theyve contracted to do. (They havent weeded anything all year, theyve stopped cutting around the retention ponds, etc.) We even discussed ways to "shuffle" money to where it would make the most impact.
At any rate, during a meeting that was much nicer than I anticipated, we walked the property and pointed out many of the things that we were concerned about. (The weeds, dying bushes at the poolhouse, trees that hadnt been trimmed, etc. etc.) The meeting ended on a positive note, and we all felt positive that we could start seeing some positive changes.
Well...this morning we get our "Two weeks notice" from the landscaping company. Which really burns me for two reasons--this time of year, its going to be hard to find a crew large enough to handle the property, and two--Im sure we will be stuck paying someone a fortune to clean up what the original company should have been doing all along.

[kimmi]

That sucks!  There isn't anything in that 5 year contract about them pulling out early?  Good luck with that. 

[Gryphon]

It only says that either party can leave with thirty days notice.
However, Id be interested in finding out if we can A. either force them to do the things they should have been doing all along before bailing or B. get a refund of part of what theyve been paid up to this point since they havent been doing everything in the contract.

[kimmi]

I sure would look into it!  That is a whole bunch of money!  I know if I had to pay homeowners assoc. dues, I'd be pissed!   

[Gryphon]

I sure would look into it!  That is a whole bunch of money!  I know if I had to pay homeowners assoc. dues, I'd be pissed!   

oh I am...and we pay these jerks almost sixty grand a year...

[tallulahdahling]

60 grand?  Honey, I'd hold their hand to fire for 60 grand.

You need me to send some of the Mississippi boys up there to straighten some things out--trust me, they'll
GIT 'ER DUN!