T.H. from Palm Beach County, Florida writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
We requested our board review a request to install storm panels across the length of our porch. Our request was declined stating “the board has denied your request to cover the length of the porch.” There was no scheduled board meeting to discuss the request we made. We have wanted to install panels for a while and decided to make the application when we learned of another property owner who was allowed to install storm shutters on their balcony. The installation covered half of the balcony, however, they were approved by the board to install panels. We feel that precedence was set by allowing another owner to do the exact thing we requested.
Mister Condo replies:
T.H., I am sorry that your Board seems unwilling to approve your request to install storm panels. It is a fairly common practice in Florida where severe storms and hurricanes routinely create damage for condo and HOA owners. I assume your association has a standard Architectural Review application process and that you followed that process correctly. You should inquire why your request was denied. It could be that you failed to supply all of the information required. It is common to require type, color, manufacturer, contractor license and insurance, and more for a successful application. Provided you have done all that and the Board is still not satisfied, you should then ask to see the approval for the other unit that has successfully installed the storm panels. It could be that the rules have changed since they installed theirs but if not, you should consult an attorney to see if you can sue the association for injunctive relief to install the storm panels. It may come down to a battle of wills between you and the Board but if you do everything correctly, I believe you will prevail. All the best!