Condo Assoc picks and chooses which bylaws and regul. to enforce.

[stuckwithcondo]

Georgia. Most Condominium Lawers all work for the same Lawfirm in Atlanta - Weisman. This firms gets big money representing our HOA and most others.

1948 Complex 55 Units - Some of the larger Townhome units have built true Apartments in the basements under that unit and lease them out. These folks are using joint resources such as water. Aren't apartments like this illegal? Doesn't this affect Insurance, etc.? This has been done in the last 5-7 years.

Also the Hardship rule of one year at a time for leasing a unit (due to school or job or poor real estate market) is applied in a dscriminatory manner. One unit has been leased out to someone for more than 7 years. The owner has never lived in the unit and it always appears neglected. A former board member told me she could never get the board to enforce the rules on this. Then another member is strictly enforced.

The board also "discourages" any committee participation in condo issues. They talk a good game, but make sure every committee is headed by a board member. Then that board member controls the committee to death, as in Architectural Standards and Landscaping, discouraging any participation. They always complain that no one is interested. The condos have been having a steady decline in correct historical appearance (which is the main attraction for most buyers) People are changing exterior features and front doors, adding mismatched screen doors and doing porch construction and de-construction.

The board post meeting minutes months late. They make it next to impossible to find out what is going on in regards to serious maintenance issues (building foundations). They tell you to go thru the management company, then the management company never does anything.

What is the best way for a Homeowner to stay informed with accurate info on the major goings on, without being involved in the petty politics of the board? No matter how one tries to get involved, the same basic group rotates board positions.

I want to sell my condo, and am having trouble because of the lack of maintenance and sidestepping of the board (who's really responsible for what). They drag everything out.