2 condo neighbors in personal disputes and want to drag everyone into it.

[decocritter]

2 neighbors have been in a number of personal disputes. Now one neighbor (who has violated every condo by law) is blaming another condo owner because her unit (on the market a month) won't sell. (12 units on the market in a lousy condo market). Disgruntled seller says the other owner told a potential buyer that downstairs condos are noisy. So the disgruntled seller is raising hell. She has gotten the board involved (an inexperienced board). The board sent out a couple of emails asking for info on "both sides" of the story.

It is my understanding that no condo laws were broken and that this is not a board issue, or the board's business. So why is the board sending out letters to several residents asking for info or knowledge of the dispute. Why is the board even interested?

Not a year ago, a neighbor that is a total drunk (and threatens and harasses other neighbors when drunk), was brought to the attention of the board. The drunk violates the noise by-law. The board said it was personal, that they had no jurisdiction, and to file a police report.

[cbelt3]

1- The neighbors are idiots.
2- The board are idiots.
3- Stay the H* out of it. The only thing worse to get into than a neighbor dispute is a marital dispute.
4- Do NOT surrender to your deep seated desire to bring order into chaos by trying to get elected to the board. You do NOT want that hassle.
5- Smile, be happy, and buy a nice shotgun ! Remember, god favors the side with the larger caliber !

[Lux Interior]

cbelt3 wrote:
5- Smile, be happy, and buy a nice shotgun ! Remember, god favors the side with the larger caliber !

I COMPLETELY disagree!















Buy an old sawed-off shotgun with no serial numbers.

[mstudio]

Whenever I think that maybe we should buy a condo somewhere to make life easier, I hear stories like this. This sort of goings on would drive me nuts.

[Mr645]

why do these folks think the board is also the Police?

[SDGuy]

Mr645 wrote:
why do these folks think the board is also the Police?

:agree:

I'm actually on two different HOA Boards at the moment (used to be on a 3rd one also, but couldn't stand it any longer and resigned).
Fortunately, the two that I'm still on are very well run and professional.

Anyways - in my experience, EVERY community will have a few of these types of disputes. Well run Boards know how to handle such situations. If the Board isn't very professional - run away. Do NOT get involved, and do NOT think that you can help by joining the Board - you'll be outnumbered by the idiots who are already there.

On a related note - if you have idiots running your Board, pay close attention to your HOA financials and how well they're keeping up with maintenance & reserve funding. I know of at least two different complexes that have been hit up with 5-figure special assessments when years of neglect finally caught up to them.

[mrbigstuff]

It's bad enough when one lives in an apartment situation and has to deal with drunks and ne'er do wells, but one can always move in those situations.

[Wailer]

Before I had kids, I bought a few condos as investments. I bought them strictly to rent out and if they appreciated, I'd move in for 2 years and sell them tax free.

Condo living isn't for everyone and tolerating other's different lifestyles was challenging for me but poorly run boards are the main reason I avoid condos as investments.

I've been a board member in small (5-unit) and large (100+) unit buildings. They've all been dysfunctional. Decisions are too emotional and it is too easy for a single homeowner to wreak havoc not because it is their right, but because the board members don't have the balls or inclination to put said person, who they share a living space with, in their place. I don't blame them; most people don't like confrontation especially if they aren't compensated for it.

Anyway, I'd just learn to live with it as long as it's not going to materially affect your safety or your finances. If you foresee violence or a legitimate lawsuit, I'd try to get out as quickly and quietly as possible now. Once something happens that materially affects the value of your condo, you are legally required to disclose it (good luck selling it then). Right now, it's just your opinion that things suck there so you are not legally obligated to disclose anything.

[decocritter]

What I find most interesting is what matters the Board is choosing to be the "police" on. Mediating and involvement of Real estate sales of a unit is not listed anywhere in the by laws, nor does a board get to control the free speech concerning negative comments of the property, regardless of who does the talking. The entire episode is heresay of the seller about a scenario or conversation she did not witness (and is most likely magnifying in her own mind). She has a bad track record and temper. She is just mad because the unit did not sell yet. She already went ballistic on the other neighbor and threatened to destroy her property over this issue (again heresay, but I believe this person).

If the board wants to get involved in the Sales of the Complex, they ought to enforce the by- laws of common ground, porch, and halls. There is junk everywhere (this has never been allowed to get this far). Maybe people are put off by the messiness of the complex and grounds. The board could also get involved in water flooding basements (I am sure the word is out). Who wants water issues?

I am staying out of it. I am not even going to answer the email.

Drunks violating the noise ordinate and the use and enjoyment of others, of their own units and grounds, is in the by-laws. These guys have been doing things for years (They are 2 Vietnam Vets and do have guns) They have even been drunk at board meetings. I have learned to avoid them at all costs and they still go off on me about once a year. After the last episode, I told them I would be calling the police if there was any more trouble. Lately they have been targeting people in their own building.

While most of this Board, including the President is inexperienced, 2 members (one is VP and other is treasurer) know better than this. I have a feeling this was not run by the entire board. Being on the Board is a thankless job and most members look out for the community. But some members get drunk with power and are self serving. You hope they are the minority board member. I would think the folks on this board have plenty to do without getting involved in this.

I most likely would never by a condo again. I am in a Townhouse and have much noise issues. But I am really tired of the politics, and weirdo neighbors. I have my own quirks, but some of these folks appear to be dangerous to me. You have got these kinds of people in every complex, and every neighborhood.