Condo Unit Owner Refusing to Accept Mail from the Association

P.D. from New London County writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

I am facing a communication challenge with one of my residents who is refusing to accept mail from the association regarding common fee increases and other news of importance. My association offers electronic notification as well but this unit owner has refused to participate in that option. Any ideas how we can communicate with this resident?

Mister Condo replies:

P.D., you are not alone in your communication challenge with this recalcitrant unit owner. In fact, there are many folks living in condominiums and HOAs who refuse to acknowledge that they are part of a community association at all. They prefer to simply be left alone and not participate in the association. That is their right and is fine and dandy until such time as money or rules violations enters the mix. If this association member isn’t communicating with the association and refusing to receive mail it won’t be long before the raised common fees will become a problem. I am sure your association has a delinquent common fee collection program. Once the unit owner becomes delinquent in fees for a few months, the collection process should kick in and the letters won’t be coming from the association but from a collections attorney. If this unit owner still refuses mail, the situation could escalate to foreclosure action on the part of the association. I certainly hope it doesn’t come to that but that is the extremity to which it could escalate.

The reality is that there is something more going on here, P.D.. The vast majority of community association members do not behave this way. Refusing to receive mail is an anti-social behavior. My guess is that this unit owner is acting out for whatever reason. My advice is to consult with your association attorney to make sure that you have followed the law with regards to attempting to deliver the common fee increase via mail so that if this ever becomes a legal matter you will have sufficient documentation to make your case that adequate notice was attempted. In the mean time, if this unit owner wishes to remain recalcitrant, please understand that there is little anyone can do to change that. All the best, my friend!