You answered your own question... 
 
I note that the condo law in NY City does allow them entrance into high rise units for safety reasons. 
 
That is a safety issue and you could call the health department also.

I am always cautious about the big arm of Government. What if these people were intellectuals who possessed many books ? Would they have to get rid of them? Excessive clothes? Some people project the worst and then act as if it were true. Perhaps insistence on proper fire and smoke detectors along with appropriate fire extinguisher might seem reasonable. Some people have too much time on their hands and a propensity towards negative thinking. I know, I live in a place like that. Any friend who comes over is a "renter" The association threatens to tow cars, They purposely have no parking program with appropriate system in place so that they can do what they want. I have declared this as my primary residence but if I am not there 24/7 I am seen as not living there. The oftentimes insanity of community living. I am all for the sense of community but I detest when it morphs into negativity and is more concerned with power and control than each other. Those who seek power often do it for the wrong reasons. They often have one set of rules for others that they themselves do not abide by. The utilization of fear and intimidation are the mark of bullies, not leaders.

any attorney can get orders signed by judge to have police, fire, city and county reps access this unit with jsut cause - seems like a no brainer - take correct steps thru legal system and you have a safey/fire hazard eliminated

Sometimes it is best to keep out of other peoples' business. If there isn't a specific rule they are breaking, the Board has to stay out of it. Mind your own business... 
 
The condo board is not the CONDO DADDY.

-----Jim Court and Larry Weiss said it all. "A man's home is his castle" and no matter what the appearance is of his sty, it's still his sty.

Our bylaws say that under as much prior notice as possible under the circumstances,the manager and any other person authorized by the board of directors shall have the right to enter any unit in case of any emergency originating in or threatening such unit or adjoining common elements whether or not the owner is present at the time.

What is the association responsibility here? 
 
Neighbors are "fearful" of fire. Have a fire inspection to ease their concerns. Have an insurance inspection to ease their concerns. Fire can start for many, many reasons. The person that is as neat freak can start a fire because they love candles. A cooking fire can start by accident. A smoker can start a fire by falling asleep with a lit cigarette or cigar. A person can overload a circuit. 
 
Has the board asked those co-owners that are complaining or reporting their concerns WHY they are concerned? What makes them concerned about a fire? 
 
I can see both sides, but as I get older and after a decade of experience, I can say the best thing that people can do is urge neighbors to be neighborly and to Mind Your Own Business. 
 
Too often, members and board members get caught up in What If instead of what is.

It would be nice to know how many actually live in a condo? I do for the last 35 years and mind my own business. This is my business, I own part of the building. Have someone legal check and if all OK noone is hurt. Be safe unstead of sorry.

This Mind Your Own Businees mentality causes a lot of trouble in associations because some folks (and after reading many of the blogs on this web site, maybe a LOT of folks)do not want to get involved in the operation of the association. But someone has to be involved; the place doe not run by magic. That's why there are bylaws, rules, etc. and a board of directors (or trustees, etc.). They are responsible for watching out for the folks. So have a little common sense and stop telling questioners to do all kinds of things and stick to "What do the govering documents say" and "Contact your Board". Especially stay away from recommending contacting an attorney. Why spend YOUR money if there is a need to contact an attorney, let the association do it.

Anyone that suspects hoarding of residents within their association premises and doesn't take some kind of action I believe is putting the entire community. 
 
If in fact these two people have an addiction to hoarding, it is definitely a hazard in so many ways. People to many times act like hoarding is not a problem but in fact it is a disease and people die from the grips of it's addiction. Com'on people have you seen the award winning reality show named "Hoarding, Buried Alive." on The Learning Channel. That's real stuff, believe it or not. 
 
So to make a statement such as "mind your own business," is irresponsible as well as not having much compassion for a fellow neighbor that apparently is in trouble and unfortunately can not ask for help.

I can understand the concern for safety and preservation of property. My question is what evidence do you have that these persons are hoarders? Are thes assumptions or facts?

Michael, 
 
Isn't it presumptive to assume the worst case scenario? Serola correctly ask if this is an assumption or facts. Yes, hoarding to an extreme degree indicates emotional issues but this is not malicious criminal behavior. If the board is concerned why don't you politely knock on the door, explain that there are some concerns, and IF there is a genuine problem, offer to get them help to alleviate this. Treat others with respect, as neighbors, and as part f the greater community. The adversarial approach is as dysfunctional as the hoarding, Some people hoard grudges and nurse them to death.

I co-owned my condo with a hoarder. It was a constant fire hazard. I was constantly having to check plugs, over flowing ash trays, feces pilled under clothes, etc. I had to hire a bio-hazard unit to clean her area it was such a health hazard.  
My solution, I bought her out and sent her packing. It's easy for others to say mind your own business but unless you've been subjected to a hoarder you have no idea. Clue, the hoarder's filth can crawl over to your condo in the form of fleas, roaches, bed bugs, etc. Let's see you cry mind your own business then.

My condo board, that I am a member of, suspected a unit of being a hoarder's unit but we had no way to gain access to find out. Neighbors on either side of the unit could see that something weird was going on. After two years of trying to foreclose and get the owner out of there we finally were able to go into the unit to see what was going on. To our horror the person had been living in the attic crawl space and hoarding on the two floors of his townhouse. It was extremely hazardous to the neighbors and we are all relieved that the unit is now out of his hands. If there is any way possible to get these hoarders inspected and reported I will find out. This type of situation is not a case of MYOB but a case of the board doing their fiduciary duty to protect the value and well being of the community.

On 8/22/2012 at 10:30AM posted by R - 
I think your bylaws sound like what we need. My question to you...did you have to ask for a key to all units. We have considered this, but would rather not be responsible for all those keys. Thanks, G

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