A small scuffle or skirmish between neighbors can quickly escalate into a full-on dispute, but should the condo board get involved in a conflict between two condo owners? And if so, when? Here’s how a Chicago condo association should position itself if it needs to draw a line in the sand between neighbors.
Let Personal Disputes Be Personal Disputes
In general, the condo association should stay out of personal conflicts between condo owners. Neighborly disputes can be tricky situations, and unless the dispute affects the community at large, the board really doesn’t have the authority to step in.
That said, if the dispute affects the greater community in any way, then the situation is different.
Personal versus Community Issues
It can sometimes be hard to differentiate between personal and community issues, but there are a few cases in which it is more obvious. For example, noise is a common issue that can cause disgruntlement between condo owners. In a scenario where one owner doesn’t like their neighbor’s dog, but the dog doesn’t bother anyone else in the association, this is likely an issue the two neighbors should work out on their own.
Conversely, if the dog is breaking noise rules and regulations outlined in the governing documents, then the association has the authority to step in.
The crux of the matter comes down to the issue at hand. If it’s a dispute that affects more than just the two individual owners who are duking it out, then the board may look at the association documents and see what steps should be taken to remedy the conflict. For the most part, however, most disputes between condo owners should be left in the hands of the owners themselves rather than spend association time and resources on it.
If you have questions about managing your Chicago condo association or would like help from a professional association management firm, call us at First Community Management today.