K.H. from New Haven County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
The condo association manager wants to dictate what kind of plumbing to be used in the bathroom and what kind of contractor to be used for other work in the bathroom. Is this fair? The condo manager is acting like one of those “know it all” people and thinks everybody has to go by what he says. The condo board seems to not mind what he is doing; they are with him. What is the best course of action?
Mister Condo replies:
K.H., there are many reasons that an association might require a certain type of plumbing, including insurance regulations. There are routine maintenance standards that the Board can set for all unit owners. They may also favor a particular contractor for this type of work. I am guessing that you and this condo manager are very different kind of people and that there is a personality mismatch in play here. If the Board is happy with the manager’s performance, that is pretty much the end of the story. My advice is for you to play nice with everyone and handle the repairs as requested. This is very likely a one-time simple job. If you are truly unhappy with the Board, you can always vote for new volunteer leaders at the next election. Other than that, treat others as you would like to be treated and enjoy your condo living experience. Good luck!