We know that the first thing most owners think when they receive a violation notice it that they are being targeted and that the board and or management are out to get them. But nothing could be further from the truth. The board is Dirty Roof Violationcharged with the oversight of association operations, along with protecting the property value, and enforcement of the rules by the governing documents.
Violation notices are not personal; they are simply the means by which the association lets owners know about rule violations while giving owners a chance to correct a problem.
Violation notices and inspections are not personal or targeted. They can be generated by a manager’s observations, board observations, and even from observations of your fellow owners. While you may feel like you are the only one to receive a violation notice, this is generally not the case. The truth is that most of the violation notices can be easily cured by simply fixing the problem or complying with the rule and letting management know the problem has been resolved.
We are often asked why we sent a violation notice, instead of simply knocking on the door or calling. There are several reasons we send written notices; the first is that while it’s easy to misinterpret what is said and it can often turn into, he said she said. A written notice defines what is being addressed, assuring that there is a written record both for the benefit of the homeowner and the association. The second is that it’s inappropriate and unsafe in this day and age for association employees, managers, and/ or board members to confront owners in person.
The purpose of a violation is to get the problems corrected and maintain community standards while protecting the safety and quiet enjoyment of all unit owners.
The board and management know the rules can sometimes be complex and it’s easy to make a mistake and violate a rule or misunderstand the governing documents. No one enjoys sending violations and we all know that it’s upsetting to get a violation. But in truth correcting the problem and letting management know that you have taken action is all that is required to relegate it to past history.