Customer Reviews

Be Reasonable! How Community Associations Can Enforce Rules Without Antagonizing Residents, Going to Court, or Starting World War III

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The title of this book is misleading, as it does not offer much in terms of helpful advice rather a sampling of horror stories from various misguided community associations. The book is also disappointingly short, I almost felt like I was reading an edition of "Reader's Digest". The author compiled the book mostly though articles published by the CAI which are available to any member and it is pretty obvious that the author is more of a scholar then someone with hands on experience in dealing with the problems of troubled homeowner associations. This book is also more focused on homeowner associations, not condo associations so all the urban dwellers might need to look elsewhere.

Let's face it. You're either buying this because you're on or about to be on a Board for a homeowner's association, or you're in trouble with your homeowner's association. In either case, this is THE book to read.

If you're on the Board, you should have read this when you joined. In fact, it's so well done that it should be mandatory reading for all Board members every year! Too often Boards become drunk with power. Even the most well intentioned new member gets sucked into the vortex of fulfilling his campaign promises by joining those already on the Board in bullying a few club members to tow the line. What this book points out is that well run organizations don't get sued. They don't have coalitions of members upset with them. They benignly ask that everyone follow a small set of common-sense rules, without passing onerous ones that benefit a few members, or even a slight majority of the members. Live and let live. Sounds simple, but it's not. The book gives actual examples of best practice, and ways to adapt your associations' historical way of doing things to a kinder and gentler form of management through goal seeking and an ongoing review of existing rules.

For the person who is upset with their Board, this book will show, in glaring clarity, how foolish many Board members are. Problem with dogs fouling the grounds? Easy solution: require owners to pick it up. Typical solution: ban dogs. Laughable solution: dogs allowed, must be carried from your apartment to the parking lot, a few hundred yards. After reading this book, you'll be able to go to the board meetings and speak authoritatively when the Board over-reacts to a perceived problem, offering them a simpler solution that solves the problem without alienating other members. You'll also know what courts (unfortunately not always in your state) have said on certain issues, and you'll be able to throttle back the Board from doing something to you that they'll later regret.

In my case, I read the book and then bought copies for the Board members of my association as Christmas gifts. I know that some have read it. The problem I was having with them disappeared with an apology letter from them to me, because they knew they were wrong and over-stepping their authority. While I can't attribute the turn around to the book, I feel that it was an educational experience for them.

I was veary dissapointed as were other board members. From ad on your web site we thought it would give us some help in enforcing the rules and regulations ands all the book does is tell you how to make the rules easier and nothing about how to enforce them. VERY DISSAPOINTED & do not believe I will believe your web site again.