Golf Cart Declared Out of Bounds at this Condo

G.S. from New Haven County writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

My association states that the Master Deed prohibits golf carts. They claim that I would be fined if I kept one in my garage and drove one on the streets. What right have they to tell me what I can and cannot have in my garage? How can they preclude driving a licensed and insured golf cart on the street when they allow all other types of vehicles to do so?

Mister Condo replies:

G.S., your association has all kinds of rights to allow or disallow vehicles onto the common areas of the association. In most associations, the roads are private and completely owned by the association. It could be an insurance issue; it could be just an antiquated rule from the original Declaration and by-laws of the association. Have you seen the actual rule? I suggest you take a look at your copy of the community’s rules and regulations. They were part of the legal and lengthy set of documents you signed when you agreed to abide by the rules of the community when you moved in. If the document prohibits golf carts, I am afraid you will need to abide by the rules or face fines or further punitive action. On the flip side, if you live in a community where golf carts would make an acceptable means of transportation, you may wish to petition the Board to consider changing the rule. If enough of your neighbors and the Board see it your way, the rule may just be changed. If not, you may just have to take a Mulligan and get rid of your golf cart. All the best!