CondoWonk Mailbag
November 18, 2025
Doris Goldstein
Chief Editor
The best part of writing CondoWonk is finding out it helped someone. With the series on LADWP’s secret rate—both the original stories two years ago and the recent updates—it’s clear that CondoWonk is having an impact.
Reader Success: Michelle's HOA Victory
Michelle, an HOA president, originally wrote to CondoWonk back in June of 2024. Her HOA’s request to switch rates had been denied because the condo did not have a commercial meter or a Facility Demand (kW) reading on their bills.
In writing the updated articles, CondoWonk asked LADWP about Michelle’s problem. LADWP provided specific language to use to get an estimate of kW demand, which we forwarded to Michelle. (It’s also included in the article about how to get the best rate.)
It worked. She told us that not only is LADWP adjusting her billing to A-1A immediately based on estimated usage, the utility company will also install new meters. For free.
Thanks, LADWP!
CondoWonk is researching how this issue is playing out for utility customers in other parts of California. If you are from outside LA, please let us know if you are being billed on a tiered residential rate or some other rate.
Switching gears, we hope you enjoy What the Camera Saw, uncovering the truth about what happens when nobody is looking. We are already compiling stories for a follow-up, so if you have any mysteries in your building, let us know.
Coming Up: Financial Challenges of Older Buildings
CondoWonk is working on a series about the financial challenges of older buildings. It’s inspired by Sheri, a new condo president who wrote that the old board and management company severely underbudgeted—a typical unit is paying dues in the $300s—and she’s overwhelmed by financial concerns.
The series will discuss:
- What your reserve study might be missing
- Whether to trust the conventional wisdom on funding reserves
- How to dig out from a hole
Stay tuned.
Best wishes,
Doris
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CondoWonk loves mail! If it’s about condos, we want to hear it. Have a condo challenge, success, or mystery to share? Your experiences could help thousands of other condo owners facing similar challenges. Send us your story, and check out what we found in our mailbag.
CondoWonk is not just a website, it’s an information-sharing network of condominium boards, owners, managers and others, trying to make our communities run better. The stories above are just a few examples. Here’s what other readers are saying about how CondoWonk has helped their communities.