Does your HOA or condo restrict vehicles?

Condo Alexandria manages several properties at Island Creek. Last night the vehicle of one of our tenants was towed.

When I found this out I was a bit upset, so I worked a round of emails through the tenants, the landlord and the condo association. We advised all parties concerned that Condo Alexandria proceeds from several assumptions:

1. Landlord and the tenants are entitled to all the benefits and rights of the subject association
2. Our tenants and landlords are bound by the same rules and regulations as everyone else.
3. We also believe that we are part of a community and as such we should treat our neighbors with respect and dignity.

I treat the condo associations as if they were our friends and neighbors.

Now, if my next door neighbor improperly parked a vehicle at my home, my response would be to discuss the matter with my neighbor. My neighbor might not know the rules. My neighbor might need one night of lenience. My neighbor might have some reason for doing what he is doing. By talking with my neighbor or by issuing a warning of some sort I could preserve a friendship and partnership with my neighbor.

If my neighbor was not reasonable and if I could not come to an informal solution, then we would agree—as friends and neighbors—to fall back on the rules and regulations that guide our community.

Tow First — Ask Questions Later

I was upset because someone at the association or the towing company made the decision to tow first and ask questions later. That policy is the quickest way to destroy a community and pit neighbor against neighbor. Condo Alexandria and our tenants and our landlords do not want to antagonize our neighbors or community. But, we ask that our neighbors wish us the same.

As a part of my due diligence, I reviewed the new parking resolutions at Island Creek and came to understand that the tenant’s work van was an unauthorized vehicle per the new November regulation. I had an older set of condo docs. Commonly, commercial vehicles are banned in residential areas, but there is a difference between a commercial vehicle and a work van with a logo painted on it.

Landlords and tenants should know that I do not make it my business to read each new resolution from the forty or so condo associations where Condo Alexandria does business.

But if you ask me I personally think that the new Island Creek resolution diminishes the value of Island Creek, because it diminishes the number of people who will live in (and thus buy or rent in) Island Creek. However, I respect the resident’s right to choose the type of community they wish and I agree that my clients will abide the resolution as written.I apologize for any offense, but I am complaining to better the community—not to make enemies.

See all Island Creek.