In Hot Water over a Hot Tub

B.F. from Fairfield County, Connecticut writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

I recently installed a hot tub in my condo so I can relax and enjoy myself. Turns out one of my neighbors saw the delivery truck and called the management company to complain. The property manager sent me a letter informing me that hot tubs are not allowed at my condo and that I have to remove it. I really enjoy my hot tub and I don’t want to return it. Is there any way I can keep the hot tub at my condo?

Mister Condo replies:

B.F., a relaxing soak in a hot tub sure sounds good right about now. However, my condo doesn’t allow hot tubs any more than yours does so it looks like we’ll both need to get soaked elsewhere…

If your condo rules prohibit hot tubs, I really don’t see any way around you having to remove your hot tub. You can choose to ignore the demand to remove the hot tub and you will likely be fined by your association. You can hire an attorney and try to fight to keep your hot tub but you would very likely lose that battle as well and run up a hefty legal bill for yourself and your association along the way. Ultimately, your condo association would win a court order forcing you to remove your hot tub.

My advice is to remove the hot tub at your earliest convenience. You could petition the Board to change the rule for all units regarding hot tubs but there is very likely a good reason for the rule in the first place. Noise is a common reason, followed by the potential of flooding for you or your neighboring units should the hot tub malfunction. I do not know of any community reversing themselves on their hot tub bans so I think your best course of action is to apologize for the infraction and seek your hot tub enjoyment elsewhere. Happy soaking!