A.A. from Santa Clara County, California writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
I was wondering, who is responsible for car break-ins when the car is in the street? Who is responsible for car break-ins when the car is in the designated condominium parking lot and parking spot? Who can contact the HOA management company when they want to report a car break-in? Renters, owners, or both?
Mister Condo replies:
A.A., I am sorry that your HOA is experiencing car break-ins. Insuring the car is the responsibility of the owner of the car. Claims of damage and theft should be made with the car’s insurer. Owners within a condo or HOA should report break-ins to the Board or Manager of the condominium of HOA. There are steps the condo or HOA should take to help minimize break-ins, especially once they have been notified of multiple break-ins. These measures can include extra lighting and owner notification of break-in activity. This is ultimately a police matter. Cars parked on public streets fall directly under police supervision. Cars that are broken into that are parked on private property or the common grounds of the condominium or HOA are still a police matter but the condo or HOA should act accordingly and do its best to try and curb the criminal activity and notify the residents of the activity and their actions to help prevent the crimes. Good luck!