M.D. from outside of Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
I’m on the Board of a 118-unit high rise condo building and wondering if you’re aware of any effective strategies to enforce compliance with our “white only” exterior appearance of window treatments?
Mister Condo replies:
M.D., if the association has published and properly adopted architectural compliance guidelines that indicate “white only” exterior appearance of window treatments, it is as simple as citing the unit owners who have violated the guidelines. Typically, the Board would send a letter notifying the unit owner of the violation. If the unit owner complies in short order, no problem. If not, follow your documents as they pertain to rules violations. Typically, the unit owner is summoned to appear before the Board and offer defense/explanation. In this case, there isn’t too much to say. The window treatment is either white or it isn’t. The Board can then decide to fine the unit owner or not and use whatever methods it has at its dispose for correcting rules violations. My guess is the unit owners that are out of compliance have done so without knowing they were breaking the rules. A simple notice will likely suffice. If not, you have other options. Work with the unit owners to get them back in compliance. Time will heal all. Good luck!