QUESTION: Someone has been propping open
the fire doors in our condo building. When the fire department issued a warning
to the HOA, the board posted a letter advising everyone that since they are
unable to determine who is propping open the door, all residents on the floor
would be fined. Is that allowed?
ANSWER:
Your board is taking the same approach my drill instructor took in boot camp--if
one person did something wrong, the entire platoon was doing
pushups until they dropped. This approach to discipline has its use for
creating military order and cohesion but homeowners are not Marines and associations are not
boot camps. Your board cannot fine everyone--only the
perpetrator and only after
due process. Your board should consider installing a security camera to deter (or catch) the
scofflaw.
ASSISTANCE: Associations needing legal assistance can
contact us.
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