R.B. from New Haven County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
How do I, as a Unit Owner, report a violation of The Connecticut CIOA by the Property Manager?
Mister Condo replies:
R.B., I am sorry that you have encountered a Property Manager who has violated the Common Interest Ownership Act. Obviously, the first step is to report the violation to your Board who should be notified of the violation so they can take it into consideration when deciding whether or not to continue allowing the Property Manager to manage the association. In Connecticut, the licenses of Property Managers are overseen by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). You can read about the description of the job and enforcement provisions here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_400b.htm. According to the website, complaints should be made to the Commissioner of DCP. You will find the complaint forms and process information here: https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Complaint-Center/Consumers—Complaint-Center. Keep in mind that the DCP handles licenses, permit forms, and registrations for all sorts of consumer products. It may be very difficult to get their attention directly. You might also consider speaking with a locally qualified attorney to see of a lawsuit against the Property Manager might be a more efficient way to proceed. Either way, I wish you all the best!
moving into condo in Shelton was never told I was paying for 2 lamp posts and LARGE condo sign and garage lights ON MY BILL, confronted manager and said I do not want these community street lights on mine what recourse do I have, also bedroom windows don’t open good and screens locked in and had well known window company ou to replace some windows and told me windows won’t open because new siding I pay 95.00 more a month for 4 yrs more for them to but to close to windows tight causing them not to open, and screens locked in and rotting, what kind of management is this and what suggestion do you have.
L.C., I am sorry to hear about your plight. The manager might be the first one to speak with but, ultimately, you need to speak with the Board. The manager is only the “go between” in this situation. If the original owner know about and/or agreed to pay for the lights, you may be on the hook for them or you may be able to negotiate a settlement with the Board for the expense. It is an association benefit to have the area lit, the association should pay for it. As for the windows, again you need to speak with the Board about the contractor they hired not getting the job done properly. Ask who is responsible for the locked in place and rotting screens. If it is the association, they should act to fix the problem. Again, I am not saying that the manager has no responsibility here but the manager can only fix what the Board authorizes to get fixed. Other than that, the manager has many other functions that I am sure they are handling just fine. Good luck!