My Condo Association Management sent me a Violation Notice. According to their bye laws, I did not get Leasing Permit before renting the unit. The Management is relatively new and prior to that I had provided copy of lease to the management (that was handling the Association) but I never got a Permit in writing. This management is asking me copy of Leasing Permit that I was not made aware of and now that I do not have. Now, this management does not have any records of the lease and are sending me notices to pay fine that is accruing on a per day basis. My unit has been in rental state for years. If I ask them to put on rental then the management wants me to put me on a Wait List that has many residents in queue.

1. How do I handle this situation?

2. What happened to my lease copy that was in their possession?

3. Why they do not want to retroactively reinstate to classify my unit as rental?

Any help would be useful.

Most of our properties have HOA's and everytime there is a change in PM companies I brace myself for irritating issues generally due to the previous company simply not handing over all of the paperwork.

Most PM companies that manage complexes vs. independent landlords are inept or arrogant or both. It's a very competitive business that adds a large expense for doing very little and the little they do is rarely done well. When they first come on board after unseating the previous company they will try to impress the board who hired them that they are in control. Do not be intimidated by them.

Have there been any changes to the Bylaws or new resolutions added? If a license permit was required it must be specifically stated in the Bylaws. Ask for a copy of the current bylaws and any new resolutions and compare them to the copy you received when you first bought your unit and/or started renting.

Do you have a copy of any communication (Letter or email) that would demonstrate that you had provided this to the previous PM?

Have the HOA board members changed? Do the previous board members still live in the community? Is there someone there you can talk to directly and sidestep the PM? I've gone to the board president on occasion and they have interceded on my behalf and settled the issue.

I would start with the previous firm. If you submitted the lease they should have a record of receiving it. There is also the possibility that the previous firm messed up by not issuing the license.

In GA HOA's and PM's are licensed. If the previous firm is unwilling to help tell them you will let the GA licensing board settle the issue. If it leads to that send a copy of the notice to the current PM and Board.

As a Realtor I promise you no licensed PM wants a complaint filed. Even if the complaint is unfounded it becomes part of your permanent record which is a public record.

If all else fails follow the suggestions above and get a lawyer.

Good luck.

Thanks INVESTOR NC and others for taking time to write this. I can already smell the tone of command and threat that the present PM is communicating through his email.

Let me check my emails for previous correspondence. Yes, if it comes to, I will go to the lawyer route. But before that, I will,

1. Check bye laws.

2. Check how the Leasing Permit looks like.

3. Dig into my old communication/correspondence/email.

4. Find out old PM company.

5. Work with HOA member and president.

6. Let HOA, present PM and previous PM resolve.

7. If everything else fails, contact lawyer.

INVESTOR NC - I will keep you guys posted. So far, the management has not sent me the violation letter as they mentioned. It could be just intimidation but will wait and see.