This is NOT how you should deal with parking issues

It never ceases to amaze me how the anonymity of a keyboard can make people say and do things they would never do face to face. Or at least I hope they would never do face to face.

I received an e-mail from a homeowner at one of my townhouse properties expressing her disgust at a note that was left on vehicle of a visitor to her unit. I would love to show you the contents of the note, but it was that vulgar. The least offense word in the note was “moron”. It even went so far as to use the “see you next Tuesday” word!!

Now this is a small property, 18 units. I have no doubt that there are several owners who know who the author of the note is.

This is a great example of one of the four “P’s” that property managers assist corporations in dealing with; People, Pets, Parking and Politics. It should also serve as a lesson to those corporations who feel that the cost of parking enforcement is not a cost they are willing to bear.

The end result of that decision is a free for all with parking on a first come first served basis, and the possibility that when owners take this matter into their own hands, it becomes ugly and messy.

Your home is not necessarily your castle!

The owners of a townhouse corporation I manage recently replaced the roof of their townhome.  While this was within their right and their responsibility, what they forgot to do was inform the corporation of the repair and request permission to change the color of their roof shingles.

The change in shingle color was a major detraction to the overall uniformity of the property, and as a result, the board requested he replace his shingle with one approved by the board.

Thankfully the owner complied, quite quickly.  A very messy battle averted!

Let this be an $8,000 lesson to all owners.  Even if you believe your intended repair is within the restrictions of your corporations documents, take the time to confirm this with your property manager.