ABA Family Legal Guide

Home Ownership

Shared Ownership: Condos and Condominiums

Handling Problems

What can I do if my neighbor is a problem?

The first step is to check the bylaws and regulations governing the association to see whether the practice in question is a violation. Then talk about it, first to the neighbor posing the problem and then to one of the members of the board, which often acts as a mediator to help unit owners informally work things out.

If the neighbor is clearly violating the rules, the board may ask you to sign a formal complaint to begin a proceeding that could lead to fines against your neighbor or even a court injunction to stop the behavior. If the problem isn't addressed in the documents and a polite request doesn't help, one option is to try alternative dispute resolution. Again, it is important to act promptly if a neighbor's behavior makes life unpleasant for you. If you have put up with it without comment for ten years, you may have trouble prevailing.