Condo Association Management Blog

Not sure what state you live in ... but I would check with local ordinance regarding the locking mechanism to both enter and exit the gate. In most cases it is "illegal" to have to unlock with a key to exit as it is a safety issue and not allowed by the fire dept as someone could become trapped in event of emergency. Typically, on the inside of the door there will be a turn-key to open the door (no use of a key). The owner had no right to change the lock - irrespective of whether he provided everyone with keys or not. The board should investigate and he could incur charges for any costs the Association may incur as a result.

THIS ACTION AGAIN GOES BACK TO THE 
 
BOARD NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE  
 
OWNERS AND OWNERS NOT KNOWNING THE 
 
CONDO BYLAWS AND RULES.{BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW} 
 
CONDO BOARDS NEEDS TO KNOW AND MEET WITH OWNERS. SHARE EDUCATION 
 
AND COMMUNICATION. BEFORE PROBLEMS ARISE.NO THIS IS WRONG FOR AN OWNER TO CHANGE LOCKS

To me it sounds like a person who wants what he/she wants when they want it. Even if they never saw the ByLaws, it seems like common sense to realize that you can't change a lock when others live there and have to get in or out of that piece of common property. I would notify the mgt and bd and insist that they take care of the situation immediately. Good luck.

As Carolyn has already advised, local agencies, ie: police, fire, garbage, recycling normally have access to condimiinum complexes. that is why the vast majority of condo units either do not have a gate or if they do it is an electronic gate, with access codes for various local agencies to get access. Check your state laws. You "all" may be liable, with a keyed gate, if anything were to go amiss...such as a fire in one of the units.

I put in cameras on my back patio, front door, top of garage and one in middle of my building facing the common area yard. I did not see a problem because the holes on the building were small and since I did not have to get permission when we installed the direct TV. 
 
 
 
I know got an e-mail form one of the board menbers that I could not have cameras installed. Is this correct? I'm doing this for my families protection. I need some guidance. Is there a law that prohibits careas in condominuims?

Without knowing more, one can't totally assume anything. The fact remains that the board seems either incompetent incapable lacking the will to lead and a variety of other matters.  
The Association is in place for ALL owners not just for the board or a single owner.  
I can't imagine how a board can allow such a thing to occur, frankly. At the end of the day my guess is that this is not the first "infraction" made by this or any other owner. 
 
Steve

I'd almost bet that the local fire department would be VERY interested in this.

Our 90 unit Miami condo has written into its bylaws that a designated rooftop area is the only source and place for cable (and possibly Dish). The Builder's intent, I believe, was to not have a new condo littered with the unsightly attachments to a beautiful facade. It was discussed with the management company when a few dishes had been installed, and nothing was done and now there are many more dishes disfiguring the structure and lowering our property values. The BOD is a lazy crew of 3, who never respond to calls or emails, and I would guess that at least one of them, yes, you guessed it, has a dish attached to our building. Why can't people JUST FOLLOW THE RULES? Any suggestion?

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Maybe the board was approached with a request. Maybe this was a safety issue this unit owner felt was of importance. This could of been a Board action that wasn't taken seriously and the unit owner took upon themselves to protect residents. When question of safety and the Board doesn't act regarding this, they are as QUILTY for not providing the safety to the community. We may not know the entire story as to why but I certainly feel this action was taken due to the Boards failure to see it's importance.