Home Forum Extra

Seattle Times business reporter Elizabeth Rhodes posts the answers to your real estate questions as they pop up during the week. Join this ongoing discussion, which also features reader reaction to real-estate articles appearing throughout The Times.

Home Forum, Seattle Times, P.O. Box 1845, Seattle, WA 98111

* Sorry, no personal replies.

E-mail | 206-464-8510 | Subscribe | Blog Home

July 23, 2008 7:30 AM

When former condo board members won't let go

Posted by Elizabeth Rhodes

Q: Our condo's former board of directors made questionable decisions regarding very serious financial matters. The new board is trying to recover from this matter, but some now-former board members won't let go. Their demands are constant. How can we get this situation under control?

A: Clear rules and clear communication are your best solution, says Jim Comin, president of CDC Management Services, which oversees some 200 Northwest condo communities.

"Have good outgoing communications with owners, such as regular meetings, newsletters and Web-site updates," Comin suggests. Encourage owners to e-mail their questions and concerns to the board. Then let everyone know that board members will address concerns through these channels and when they can expect a response.

Comin anticipates there will be a few individuals who'll still want the board's immediate attention and complain when they don't get it.

"Remind them of the policy. If they whine again, remind them again," he says. After that ignore them unless they follow the rules.

"In the end, the board is acting in everyone's best interest not to spend all their time dealing with certain homeowners," says Comin. Still, it's important to respect them all, and "interact with these people as you would any other."

Digg | Newsvine