The Joys of Condo Associations (I)

June 13, 2005
. . . Homeowners Association Board
Dear Board Members,
We would like to bring to your attention four issues of concern:
A. Garage Shelves
We have recently built some new shelves in our garage. Last week [complex manager] told us she had seen the shelves and that such work may require architectural approval from the board. We are perfectly willing to submit a request for architectural review and/or open the garage for inspection at a mutually convenient time.
We would like it to be noted that 1) we built three shelves, one workbench of the same construction technique, and two overhead supports for flattened boxes, skis, etc.; 2) the shelves do not extend into the other half of the garage or obstruct the other occupants’ use of their half; 3) the shelves leave ample room for our car to be parked in the garage; 4) the shelves replace existing shelving which was already attached to the walls and ceiling joists of the garage but which was poorly built and inadequate for our needs; 5) the shelves are constructed in a modular fashion and are attached to studs and joists in a minimal way using screws and nails; 6) they can very easily be removed in the future with no damage to the garage; 7) there was some urgency to the construction of these shelves since in the last few months we have twice suffered water damage to belongings stored in the garage when water entered through the rear; and 8) the shelves are modeled on shelving we have seen in dozens of garages in this complex.
If the board would like some further action on our part, please let us know. If an architectural review application is requested of us, we would like to see copies of the approved requests for all the other garage shelving constructions in the complex.
B. Water
As noted in the paragraph above and as has been communicated verbally to the board in past meetings, our garage accumulates a considerable amount of water when it rains. In this past rainy season, the water damaged several items that were in the garage because we are remodeling our unit. We request that the board take the necessary steps to resolve this problem before next winter.
C. Rats
The plumber who replaced the bathtubs in our bathrooms discovered that rats were nesting under them. He killed four of them, but we are concerned that others might take their place. The evidence showed that the rats came from the outside through attic vents, entered and chewed through the bathroom vent ducts and got access to the inside of our walls. To prevent further problems that might be more costly, we request that screens be immediately installed on the mouths of the vents to prevent rats or other animals from entering. Since the new owners of Unit #79, below us, talked with [the complex manager] about this issue in April, it is possible that this problem has already been rectified, but we would like to know what steps have been taken or are being planned.
D. Laundry
Finally, we would like to inform the board that in the south laundry room one of the new front loader washing machines (the one on the left) has been malfunctioning since it was installed. The machine does not accept fabric softener, which simply accumulates in the receptacle.
Thanks for your attention and please let us know if you need any further information.
Sincerely yours,