Condo associations are known for disagreements over every little thing. Here is how you start to handle that:
First, establish a set of common goals to which everyone can agree.
For example, we all want:
- a peaceful and secure place to live.
- with reasonably low monthly assessments, and
- gradually increasing property values.
Next, establish priorities. For example, in priority order:
- Urgency. Is there imminent risk of property damage or harm to people, e.g. blocked common garage exit or a leaking water main?
- Affordability. Is there enough money to pay for it?
- Availability. Is there a willing, affordable, quality vendor available to perform the task? Is there someone to manage the vendor?
- Owner desires. Do owners want to do this? Have owners asked for this or do they recommend this?
Note that “enforcing the rules, whether they make sense or not” is neither a goal nor a priority. Enforcing rules is a means to accomplish the goals, a tool not an objective. “Rules” are set by the board; they do not include by-laws and condo declarations.
Third, require all non-urgent communications to be in writing (printed or typed preferred) and to include the following:
- The name of the owner submitting the comment, complaint, or recommendation.
- The address or unit number of the submitting owner.
- A objective description of the item. If a complaint, tell what they saw, when, and where.
- A statement of how this impacts them, e.g. “The hallway is too hot and I sweat too much while walking 15 feet to the elevator.”
- The signature of the owner.
This establishes who is complaining (not “somebody said”.) This set outs the objective facts and lets us know how important this is to the owner.
This will also eliminate 80% of the complaints.