Homeowner Rights Attorney in Everett, WA
What should you do when the Board of your Homeowner's/Condo Owner's Association isn't listening?
Often times, subdivision homeowners/condo owners have concerns or complaints that they would like addressed by the Board of their Owner's Association, but the Board won't listen. What do you do?
First, read the governing documents for the owner's association. Ask your Board for a copy of them, if you haven't already received a copy when you bought your property. Or go to the County's public records website and download the documents yourself. Typically, you'll find a document entitled "Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions." In that document, you can usually find the regulations and the enforcement mechanism for the regulations that is required. Additionally, ask the Board for a copy of the By-Laws and rules so that you can become knowledgeable of the Board's process for addressing issues that arise.
Second, once you have compiled the information, write a letter to the Board informing them of the issue and ask them to correct it. Sometimes, this is all it takes to motivate the Board to address an issue.
Third, if you are not successful by letter, ask the Board (in writing) to have your issue addressed at the monthly meeting. Encourage other owners, who support your position, to attend the meeting. In this way, the Board is held accountable to many owners, not just you.
Fourth, if that still does not achieve the result you seek, consult with an attorney. Litigation is always an available option, though it should only be used in the most egregious cases. To be involved in a lawsuit with a person or persons you see every day is extremely difficult and it is usually best to just work things out in a civil manner without resorting to the courts.
