D.C. from outside of Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
We have a community bulletin board but no rules governing its use. My husband and I recently settled a lawsuit with our association which had been in litigation for more than two years. We posted info regarding the settlement on the bulletin board since part of the outcome voided an amendment to the declaration. We are confident most of the owners are not aware of the lawsuit status and the $50,000 paid to us by the Association. The notice is being removed daily (and replaced again). I intend to keep posting for a total of 30 days since there are no rules. I would be interested in your thoughts.
Mister Condo replies:
D.C., congratulations on settling your lawsuit with the association. As you know I am not an attorney nor am I an expert on community association law in your state so please accept my advice as friendly and not legal. For legal advice, I must suggest you speak with an attorney who is familiar with community association law in your state.
That being said, the community association bulletin board is very likely the property of the association and is used at the discretion of the association, which is under governance control of the Board of Directors, the democratically elected volunteer leaders from within the association. Unless you have specifically received permission to post anything on the bulletin board you are likely not allowed to do so. The Board is well within their right to remove anything unauthorized for display on the bulletin board so the dance of you posting and them removing is likely to go on and on until one of you tires from doing so.
I assume that you are posting information about the voiding of the amendment. That information is now part of the association’s records. Anyone who wishes to learn more can do so by inspecting the association’s records, which is their right as unit owners. I am unaware of any right that you have to take it upon yourself to promote this awareness although there is nothing stopping you from discussing the matter with your neighbors and fellow unit owners. There is a good chance that minutes from a future meeting or even the community newsletter will mention that the amendment had been voided. Hope that helps, D.C..
The Condo Board Controls the Condo’s Bulletin Board: http://t.co/mmSgkWcvNM
The Condo Board Controls the Condo’s Bulletin Board: http://t.co/H48WIH0JgV
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Can you share rules approved by other condominium associations for residents posting information on community bulletin boards. Looking to draft rules for our association.
C.G., I am not aware of a standard for use of the community association bulletin board. It varies by community. As an asset of the association, it is under the Board’s control so the Board is free to adopt rules that govern its use. My suggestion is to limit the use of the Board to Association Business only, meaning no advertisements for things like “Weight Loss Products” or “Get Rich Quick” ads that can quickly litter the bulletin board. Typical postings might be for a babysitter wanted or a Canasta Club meeting or an upcoming community social event like a Pot Luck dinner. The Board could simply appoint someone to monitor the bulletin board and remove any inappropriate material. Alternatively, if the bulletin board is under lock and key, potential posters could submit their bulletin board item for the Board to review before allowing it to be posted. Good luck!