Condos all have a dynamic range of personalities. Dealing with disgruntled residents is just one of the many challenges of property management.

So when I was recently discussing these challenges with a Board member, he brought out a newspaper article about new year’s resolutions all condo owners could adopt. How true these are!

  1. Remember that Board members are not your employees, servants or slaves.
  2. Show your appreciation for the volunteer work performed by Board members.
  3. If you think things are operated poorly, run for the board.
  4. To owners who are happy with their association: say thank you!
  5. The manager of the association takes direction from the board, not you.
  6. For those Board members who are constantly looking to find violations: get a life.
  7. To managers who are constantly looking to find violations: you need to be replaced.
  8. If you do not like to follow rules, then do not live in an association.
  9. Rules are not meant to be broken.
  10. Before running to a lawyer, try working it out…it’s cheaper.
  11. Mediating a problem is cheaper and less stressful than litigation. Try it.
  12. A nice violation letter goes a long way vs. a letter from an attorney.
  13. To the one owner who always disrupts the meeting: give it a rest.
  14. To the owner who always thinks everyone wants to hear your opinion — NOT!
  15. To the one owner who knows he/she is causing stress to everyone — please move!
  16. Remember the president needs the proper authority to take action.
  17. To the president who thinks he is king — vote him/her out of office.
  18. To the board that never wants to hear what it’s owners think — you need to be replaced.
  19. To any vendor who rushes you into signing a contract — say goodbye.
  20. Before signing a contract — read it, understand it and then get an opinion.
  21. Before hiring a contractor — get a few references and then call them.
  22. To the owner who likes the TV or music loud — shut your window.
  23. Ask yourself — would you tolerate the abuse you are giving to someone else?
  24. If your lawyer, manager or vendor does a good job, try saying “thank you.”
  25. If you are ‘thin skinned’, you should not be a board member.
  26. If you do not care about your fellow neighbor/owner, can you pretend to?