H.T. from Windham County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Who decides the color of the condominium units?
Mister Condo replies:
H.T., initially the developer decides what color the buildings or units will be painted, stained, sided, or stone or brick or stucco. Once the condominium leaves the developer stage and transitions to the control of the Board, it is up to the association (typically the Board) to maintain and upkeep the building exteriors. This would include the color selection for the buildings. I lived in an association many years ago that “got a deal” on a paint color I can only describe as “pea soup”. I thought it made the buildings of the condo look like an army barracks. Needless to say, unit owners voiced their dislike to the Board and a few years later, more appealing colors were selected. If you and your fellow unit owners aren’t happy with the color of the paint on your buildings, let your voices be hard at the ballot box. Be sure to elect leaders who appreciate the aesthetics of a proper paint color and scheme to keep curb appeal high and unit owners pleased. All the best!
So you got “pea soup,” we got “barf beige.” Mind you some beige colors can be very appealing, but after a big show of allowing unit owners to vote their choice, the board decided to add white paint to the chosen color, declaring the board has the authority to make the change. But it turned the color to a sickly pink beige, and not a nice one to have to see everywhere you go. I did notice that nothing seems to stir emotions or cause more interest than decorating. Never have more people participated! And then found out it was a ruse. No way we can afford to change it up any time soon. But almost all of them have been voted out, but you can figure that not only members’ paint color choice was disregarded, so have many other concerns. The same thing had been done by a prior board about pets, they did a survey, and went against overwhelming results. That was later overturned, along with that board, also. Play straight!