The CondoWonk Mailbag
How has a CondoWonk article impacted you? What would you like to hear more about? CondoWonk loves mail! Here’s what’s in our mailbag. Questions, queries, and suggestions welcome. If it’s about condos, we want to hear it. Share your experiences or tell us what condo challenge you’re facing—your input helps the whole community.
YOUR ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA CONDO RESOURCE
Real Stories, Real Results
October 2025 Mailbag
HOA gets help with a complicated rate change
The president of a 50-unit townhouse condo says that thanks to some personalized information via CondoWonk, LADWP is switching them to the A-1A rate. Michelle had originally contacted CondoWonk in June of 2024. Her HOA’s request to switch rates had been denied because the condo did not have a commercial meter and did not have a Facility Demand (kW) reading on their bills. CondoWonk asked LADWP about Michelle’s problem. LADWP replied with specific language to use to get an estimate of kW demand. We forwarded the information to Michelle and included it in the article about how to get the best rate. Michelle wrote back to say it worked. Two weeks after she wrote to LADWP with the new language, she got a call. Not only is LADWP adjusting her billing to A-1A immediately based on estimated usage, the utility will also install new meters for free. And if the rate does not save money, the HOA can switch back to the residential rate.
EV Charging in Condos
The internet has plenty of information about electric vehicle charging in multifamily housing, but almost all of it by companies that want to sell third-party metering systems to apartment buildings or brand-new condominium buildings. CondoWonk’s view of how to safely allow EV charging in older condo buildings is continuing to attract interest from organizations promoting EV charging, as it’s the rare article that talks specifically about working with HOAs. Collaboration to fill that gap is currently under discussion.
Inspiration for the next CondoWonk investigation
Sheri wrote to CondoWonk that she won the recall election but now faces overwhelming financial worries. The old board and management company severely underbudgeted—a typical unit is paying dues in the $300s—and with increases limited to 20% per year without unit owner approval, starting from such a low place will make it hard to catch up. Her letter is the inspiration for an upcoming story about chipping away at a financial crisis. It’s part of a series about the financial challenges of older buildings, including what your reserve study might be missing and whether to trust the conventional wisdom on funding reserves.
MONTHLY COLUMN
November 2025
Doris Goldstein
Chief Editor | CondoWonk
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
PREVIOUS MAILBAG EDITIONS W/ Doris Goldstein
Got a condo story to share? A challenge you’re facing? We’d love to hear from you and feature your experience in a future 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.