Delinquent Board Member Must Step Down or Be Removed

M.K. from Hartford County, Connecticut writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

Can we ask a board member to step down if he is delinquent on is condo fees?

Mister Condo replies:

M.K., not only can you ask a Board member to step down if he is delinquent in his common fees, your by-laws may require that you do so! Can you honestly tell me that a unit owner that has allowed his common fees to lapse to the point of delinquency is the best person to be serving on the Board and representing the best interests of the other unit owners who are paying their common fees on time? Delinquency is dealt with by the Board which may need to take legal action against a delinquent unit owner. Having a delinquent owner serve on the Board could create a serious conflict of interest and delay in proper collection procedures against the delinquent owner. That being said, the Board member should be given the same opportunity to get current as any other resident. If his service to the Board is to continue, he must keep his common fees current and make good on any arrears as soon as possible. Good luck!