D.K. from Broward County, Florida writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Our condominium board is up or re-election. The board is extremely corrupt and I won’t get started on our condo attorney. The association hired a License Community Association Manager. During an inspection of “Official Records” I requested to see the Licensed Community Association Manager’s contract/agreement. There isn’t any. The President of the board every time the subject is discussed insists because we are self-managed they can do whatever they want. I contacted the DBPR and they are investigating my claim for the past year. I sent a representative to audit the “Official Records” the repost of the inspection came back no Manager Agreement. The LCAM is being paid as an employee. Can I oppose the board from re-election stating the audit report and my previous inspections? The condo attorney is covering for the Board.
Mister Condo replies:
D.K., I am sorry you find yourself at odds with the Board of your condo association. While I can neither deny or support your charge of corruption, nothing you have stated here is terribly shocking other than the hiring of an association manager with no supporting paperwork. The attorney works for the association, as represented by the elected members of the Board. The attorney is simply doing the work he or she was hired to do. Your issue is with the Board itself. You asked if you can oppose the reelection of the Board. You certainly can and you should. However, it isn’t enough to simply oppose their reelection. You will need to supply alternative candidates, including perhaps yourself. Campaigning on the facts may be enough to supplant the current Board members. However, if you cannot garner enough votes for new Board members, the current situation is likely to continue. DPBR is a good alternative but can be a slow and not always effective process due to the tremendous volume of work they have. Electing better Board members is a far more expedient solution. All the best!