What's wrong with this lawyer?!

Chapter 39: Chapter 37: I Went All In, What About You? (Thanks to the Silver League)

It was already November, yet the Autumn Tiger was still fierce.

For the residents of Yuefu Residential Complex, the past few months had been too lively.

However, no one really knew what the benefits of establishing the homeowners' association were, they had only heard that there would be some.

Auntie Ge yawned as she went downstairs to dump the trash, only to be greeted by a foul smell before she even got close.

Upon closer inspection, she discovered that the several large garbage bins downstairs had been piled high, and not only that, there was also a significant amount of garbage outside the bins.

"What's going on here? The garbage bins are so full, why has nobody taken them out?" Auntie Ge complained dissatisfiedly.

She immediately took photos to share in the chat group, but once she entered the group, she saw that many neighbors were already discussing the issue.

"I say, what's the situation here, what happened to the garbage bins? Doesn't anyone care to manage this?"

"Yeah, what's going on? I live on the first floor, and the smell of the garbage is even coming into my home!"

The chat was filled with various voices, and at that moment, a reply appeared.

"I just went to the property management to ask, and they said that now that you've established a homeowners' association, all community matters have to be decided by the association, and they can't handle it."

As soon as these words came out, the whole group erupted.

It wasn't long before a homeowner named Lv Xueli spoke up, "Just look at this mess for yourselves. I said from the start that forming this homeowners' association was nonsense, and now it's even worse than when the property management was in charge!"

He just couldn't stand that Tang fellow, and he had to speak up whenever he noticed issues like these.

As expected, the chat erupted into argument.

Those who understood the situation felt that cleaning up the trash was the property management's responsibility, and establishing a homeowners' association had nothing to do with it, since they collected property management fees.

But some people simply wouldn't listen.

"Don't talk about all this irrelevant stuff. What did those people say when they established the homeowners' association, huh? They said the association was for the benefit of everyone. Look at the result now, 'Wang Xia'er's New Year's celebration is worse every year,' isn't that so? So why do we even need them, this homeowners' association!"

"Exactly, let's find them. Who's the chairperson of the homeowners' association again, Tang Fangjing?"

"No, it's someone named Liu Jianjun, let's go, let's all go together!"

On the other side, at the property management front desk, a few members of the homeowners' association stood with bitter expressions on their faces.

Poor homeowners' association, only established for a few days and with nothing to show for it, had encountered such an issue, and some members were even considering disbanding.

Old Liu was wondering whether to explain the situation to everyone... Of course, he knew what was going on, given he was Director Hou's "own man."

At that moment, Tang Fangjing's voice rang out: "What are you all standing around for?"

Seeing Lawyer Tang, the group looked as if they had seen a savior. Zhao Ruixia hurriedly said, "Lawyer Tang, what's going on here? This is our third time coming, and the property management says Director Hou is not here, and as for when he'll be back, they don't know."

"I also went to the district office and the property management department about the garbage issue. They said that since a homeowners' association had been established, it should temporarily be resolved through the association's own communication. How did this happen, does the establishment of the homeowners' association mean no one will take charge?"

Tang Fangjing gestured to stop talking further. One of the drawbacks of establishing a homeowners' association was that relevant departments would step back halfway, and many issues would be pushed onto the homeowners' association.

If the property management does not provide services, then you, the homeowners' association, can dismiss them, right—that's your reason.

Of course, their stepping back halfway only meant they didn't want to deal with troublesome matters; when it came to interests, even the general meeting of homeowners could pause their actions within minutes…

Upon arriving at the property management front desk, Tang Fangjing directly asked, "In accordance with the authorization of the general meeting of homeowners, the homeowners' association requests the property management provide the public income ledger. We have already sent a demand letter. What's with the delay?"

"Also, why hasn't the garbage in the complex been collected today?"

The man standing at the front desk, a middle-aged male, now spoke, "I'm not very clear on this matter myself; we have to wait for our General Manager Hou to return."

"Then is there anyone who can reach him? Do you even have someone in charge here?"

The man, Manager Shan, shook his head again, "I really don't know about that; maybe you could ask around yourself..."

Old Liu looked around and then said, "You see? That's exactly the answer we got after asking for a while. This is just playing dumb!"

Playing dumb seems like an old trick, but sometimes it's very effective.

The homeowners' committee had just been established with nothing to its name, and property management was uncooperative, resulting in all kinds of trouble and confusion.

Tang Fangjing spoke up, "Everyone, please don't panic. Let's take things one step at a time. Sister Zhao, you go to the bank with our documents and open a public account for the homeowners' committee, yes, get it done today, and quickly."

"Then, Uncle Qian, since the residents are upset about not having a place to dump their trash, let's address that issue. Contact the garbage removal personnel and take care of the current garbage problem—I'll front the money..."

The other members of the homeowners' committee were all surprised. Uncle Qian hesitated, "Young Tang, fronting the money... isn't such a good idea. If things don't work out, we can take our time, no need to rush and put up the money..."

The main issue was that if he fronted the money, what would the rest of them do?

The committee didn't even have operating funds now. Everyone was willing to volunteer, but fronting money was a bit too much, wasn't it? Why the need to exert oneself to this extent...

"Right, Lawyer Tang, we could also put up some money, but that won't solve the problem. If we can't find anyone and they keep stalling like this, are we going to front the money every day?" Zhao Ruixia also spoke up.

Tang Fangjing quickly said, "We can't drag this out, and there's no need for everyone to put up money. Besides, rest assured, we will definitely find General Manager Hou. If we can't, the police surely can."

What? Upon hearing this, everyone was slightly taken aback, wondering what was going on.

"But Old Tang, when we talked before, didn't we agree to sue the property management company to reclaim the public revenues from the past ten-plus years? Why are you bringing up the police now?" Old Liu asked urgently.

The committee had tried to find General Manager Hou several times, and each time he "proactively" tipped them off, so they had started to gain his trust a little.

"Old Liu, to sue the property management company and reclaim money, we first have to audit the books, right? Whether it's a judicial appraisal or entrusting an accounting firm for auditing, it requires money, doesn't it? Tell me, where will the money come from?"

"From crowdfunding among the homeowners? Believe it or not, if this news gets out today, tomorrow we'll be reported and removed from our posts."

Suddenly, no one spoke, as by now everyone clearly understood the homeowners' thoughts. Just the issue of garbage disposal had already caused such a commotion; if they dared to mention collecting more money...

"Moreover, if we start auditing the accounts, will the property management cooperate? Of course not. They will do everything possible to delay."

And time is the biggest cost, for others as well as for Tang Fangjing himself.

As time passes, people lose interest. If it gets dragged to the term of the next homeowners' committee, conflicts over legal rights between the two terms will arise, resulting in a complete mess.

Don't find it strange; in reality, many homeowners' committees that have tried to defend their rights end up without a resolution because they are dragged on like this, as they can't unify within the homeowners' group.

A homeowners' committee that really manages to perform well is one that's exceptionally united.

"So, either do nothing, or do it thoroughly!"

Still playing hide-and-seek as if this is child's play, but for Tang Fangjing, this is a fight to the death!

The others stood there, staring blankly at Tang Fangjing in front of them, now realizing that this young person was crazier than they had imagined.

Seeing that no one had anything to say, Old Tang chuckled, "You don't have to worry about anything else. I'll make a video later to explain that I did all this alone. Anyway, I went to the hospital for a check-up recently, and the doctor told me to do whatever I want, to keep my spirits up."

Getting someone sent to jail... I feel very happy just thinking about it...