M.F. from New Haven County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
For many years, the manager(s) and BOD of my condominium complex have provided unequal landscape services (i.e. replacement of trees, flowers and bushes; placement of such in common areas, etc.) in the complex in which I live… (Editor’s Note: edited for space)
My question is first – can this be considered discrimination as some unit owners are receiving better landscaping attention and care than others, and also, since the units are of various sizes, should there now be a variation in the common charges because larger units have more landscaped areas that require care/are costlier to maintain by the association? Is there any legal recourse that the residents on my street (about 1/3 of the entire condo population) can take to ensure that our common area(s) receive the same attention as others in the complex?
Mister Condo replies:
M.F., I am sorry that you feel your Board is playing favorites and not offering equal services to all unit owners. There are very few things you can do as unit owners other than one very important thing. Guess what? You can elect new leaders for your association as early as your next annual election. There is no reason for any association to elect folks who don’t have the best interests of the entire community in mind when they make decisions. Of course, if no new leaders come forward, you can’t be too surprised if the current folks keep doing what they do, even if it is unfair. Condos and HOAs are run by volunteers. You, and every other unit owner in your association, have the power to make the change. All the best!