Advice for Condo Owners

Re “Perils of Home Ownership,” Ventura County letters, Feb. 5

The real peril of ownership in a condominium complex is letting your neighbors do it. Don’t become involved in the governance of your community and complain when things don’t go the way you like.

Many people who buy into such a complex should not have done so in the first place. They had no idea of what living in such a development entails and they may have been sold a faulty bill of goods by the selling real estate agent.

I’m also willing to bet they never read the governing documents, which spell out the responsibilities of the association and each unit owner. They also don’t attend association meetings, serve on committees or run for positions on the board. It’s so much easier not to be involved and only attend those meetings when you have a complaint or are outraged over some decision of the board.

Those who do volunteer are never lauded for doing that job but are usually reviled for doing what needs to be done, even if it means raising monthly fees. The board of directors has as its major responsibility a fiduciary obligation to maintain each and every owner’s investment. This means the board must ensure that the properties and common areas, together with the facilities provided and landscaping, are kept in good physical repair. The board must do all that is necessary to preserve and to protect that investment.

I’ve lived in such a development for almost 12 years and served on the board for five, two of them as president. My advice to such disgruntled people is to become involved. Attend meetings to see what goes on. Most of all, volunteer your services to serve on a committee. Never criticize anyone until you’ve walked at least one mile in their shoes.

HARRY NORKIN

Thousand Oaks