G.V. from Marin County, California writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
We have a unit owner who has kicked in his common area interior door, screamed and shouted in the hallway common areas and from his deck into the pool area, threatened and verbally abused board members and is frequently drunk and generally disorderly and has been seen purchasing drugs on the parking apron which is HOA property. He is a bully, refuses to follow the CC&R document and has shown up drunk to Board meetings. We are at our wits end about what rights we have: restraining order, cease and desist order, calling the police . . . HELP!
Mister Condo replies:
G.V., calling the police sounds like a good start. Speaking with your association attorney is way up there, too, especially if a restraining order is needed. As for general rules violations, that will be up to the Board to enforce. Keep in mind that the rules violations must be enforce unilaterally, not just against this unit owner. This person may have other mental health issues in play here. Unfortunately, it is not a unique story. 1 in 4 Americans live in community associations. Many Americans are on some type of anti-depressant or other mental health medication. The math indicates that there are plenty of folks living in condos and HOAs that have diagnosed disorders. Extreme examples as you have described here are statistically common. It is a challenge that needs to be taken seriously by the Board. Good luck!