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CONDO TENANT RIGHT May 04, 2020

We are tenants in a condo for over a year now. When we signed the lease, our landlord told us the board restricted the use of the laundry room to the tenants. We were kind of okay with it. Then we moved in and the same management gave us access to the laundry-room as we noticed other tenants were using it.
Allow us to emphasize that we have never has any complaints of any sort since living in this building (no noise, littering, disturbance etc.).
Recently, the "management/ Board’s president “to be precise has decided to stop us from using the laundry-room over an honest mistake of overloading the machine once, then threated our landlord by saying if we were to continue, they would change the lock and charge him(the landlord) hundreds of dollars. Having a great relationship with my landlord we have stopped but now we are sending a complaint to the Attorney General for the following reasons:
First off, the Board’s president/ Management is imposing rules made by his own will based on his individual sentiments (not proven to be voted as condo rules suggest it).
Second, the rules are not applied to ALL TENANTS
Third, he has made prejudice comments referring to my look calling me “Black looking nanny” (Because of my hairstyle to say the least) and many more insulting and unacceptable comments directed to another tenant, which are very offensive and outrageous.
Forth, because of the Pandemic, as per STAY AT HOME rules imposed, why should we abide by unfair rules.
We believe in treating tenants equally and fairLY. One person may not abuse its power simply because he can. His actions should be corrected immediately.
Consider this complaint a discriminatory complaint and abuse of power above all.
Thank you in advance for your attention in revolving this issue.

Cordially,

Alima and Jerome Downey

Join the Conversation Comments (1)
Condo Tenants Rights - Steven424 May 05, 2020

Hi Alima and Jerome - I am very sorry for the grief and discriminatory remarks you were subjected to by the condo board president. Have you brought these and your other complaints to the attention of your landlord, who I assume owns the condominium? If not, this is where you should start.

You have to realize that as the tenant of the actual owner of the condo you have very little influence over the actions and decisions of the condo's board. The issues you described need to be dealt with by your landlord. You have certain tenant's rights under the law, but you would need to consult with an attorney to understand what they are and how you would enforce and/or protect them.

Most important, I think you misunderstand the nature of this discussion group. It is comprised mainly of co-op and condo board members who answer questions and give advice to other board members based on knowledge and experience. You need to realize that there is no one on here who has any legal power or authority to resolve anything. The best we can do is offer suggestions, but they have no legal standing and are worth what you pay for them.

I'm mentioning this because in your message closing you thanked us for our attention in resolving the issues. We can't. Most of what you describe can only be resolved first by discussion with the board. If that doesn't work, you may have to go to court and you may have to hire an attorney. There's no one on here who can represent you or do any legal work on your behalf.

Good luck,
--- Steve

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