K.B. from Honolulu, Hawaii writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
I am a condo owner in a high-rise building concerned about dryer vent cleaning. We cleaned our vents two years ago, and the technician, who has serviced our unit several times in the past, informed us that he could not complete the job adequately because the “main stack” was blocked causing an impediment to clear all the way through. We have discussed this with the condo manager, maintenance supervisor, and board members on numerous occasions, but have yet to receive resolution or even a planned date. There seems to be no urgency about the matter. You answered other similar inquiries with options of notifying the HOA insurer and /or contacting the fire chief for an inspection. Are there any other effective, available options short of a legal route? Thank you.
Mister Condo replies:
K.B., thank you for the safety concern for yourself and your neighbors. Dryer vent maintenance is not a maintenance item that should be taken lightly because a dryer vent fire can lead to loss of life and property. Sounds to me like you have done all that you can do. At the end of the day, it is the Board’s responsibility to conduct the business of the association. If they aren’t performing to the association members’ satisfaction, there is no reason to return them to office at the next election. Why not consider running for the Board yourself and let everyone know that you will make this important maintenance item your top priority? You need Board members that are focused on what is truly important to the association. Consider the condo collapse is Florida? There are many reports that say the Board members were supplied with information over the years that they simply didn’t respond to properly. Ultimately, that lack of action resulted in tragedy. I certainly hope your association doesn’t experience tragedy because the Board lacked the resolve to act swiftly. Make noise, a lot of noise, until the problem is remedied. Good luck!
Joining the board will not necessarily accomplish the goal if the writer is outnumbered by disinterested board members. Aside from the problems inherent in being a one-issue board member, not everyone can make the time commitment required to be a good board member. One solution may be to talk to the municipal Fire Marshall who can investigate the situation and mandate that vent maintenance be done by a duly licensed contractor within a given period of time.