M.Z. from outside of Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Has the property manager the right to fine me or sue in court?
Mister Condo replies:
M.Z., I am sorry you find yourself at odds with your Property Manager and now need to inquire if you can be fined or sued. The answer to both questions is yes, but with a few caveats. Property Managers work for the association and are granted their powers to enforce the covenants of the association by virtue of their contract with the Board to do so. They cannot make up offenses that you can be fined for. If you are in violation of your community’s rules and regulations, the Property Manager can issue you fines as outlined in the governance documents and in accordance with local and state law. In many states, unit owners who have been cited for violating rules must first be summoned to appear before the Board and state their case before the fine is issued.
Suing you is a different matter entirely. As an individual, almost anyone can sue anyone in this country. The Property Manager can follow the Board’s instruction to bring suit against a unit owner for a couple of reasons. The most common is that the unit owner is in arrears with the association. Delinquency of common fees or special assessments are the most common reasons an association would sue a unit owner. An ongoing dispute over architectural compliance issues is another. In both of these instances, the Property Manager is acting on behalf of the Board. If you and the Property Manager got into an altercation (I hope not!) and the Property Manager decided to sue you personally, that is certainly their right.
The bottom line is that you should speak with an attorney if you are being sued. Personally, and professionally, the Property Manager can bring suit against you. You will want to defend yourself. I hope it doesn’t come to that. Good luck!