Psycho resident in condo -how to handle?

Question

Does anyone know the best way of handling a threatening psychotic neighbor who lives in a condo building with you? Death threats were recently made against us and we have been harassed/threatened by this person a couple times before. There's no way to completely avoid them or what triggers them cause they get crazy over nothing and imagine & accuse us of stuff we didn't do or that never happened although sometimes they are normal/quiet & this person can put on the charm when need be.

Our HOA sucks and is aware of this problem person because there have been issues with other neighbors...was told one tenant even moved out because of this person being on her floor. She had a violent encounter where this person was beating on her door in the middle of the night screaming at her. I've mention previous harassment of us to our HOA & they only say to file police report & nothing they can do but then not sure how that works when they are in the building with you or if it will make the situation worse when someone is this deranged?

Was curious is anyone else dealt with this or what the laws are in regards to this. Doesn't HOAs owners have an expectation of enjoyment of their homes legally speaking & not to be harassed and threatened by another owner? Or is someone in this situation just screwed and stuck living in same building with this psycho? This problem person is another owner which makes it difficult to remove like a tenant.

Christen G. · Answer

I'm sorry this is happening. I had something similar in my condo with a lame HOA board. My advice is to document everything and get the police involved ASAP. You'll have to stay on them any time something happens and you'll want a paper trail. Police departments need a "heat map" - and if you call enough and they have to respond, your building will "heat up." Also - go to the HOA meetings! And speak up/get on record there. Hopefully it gets resolved and then you can hit the HOA with a "negligence, complacency and complicit" complaint. I was on the board of the HOA at the time and was shocked at the inaction (I was new to the PNW and the passive aggressive ways here). When all was handled and the tenant was literally arrested (door busted in, etc...this was a drug dealing scenario) I went to the next board meeting and let them know I was lawyered up and they're very, very lucky I didn't bring a suit (which would have only raised my HOAs so I didnt). Needless to say security in our building has gotten much better. Good luck.

Michael Peters · Answer

Don't waste your time with the HOA. Dealt with a few of these and they will most likely say their hands are tied. Call the police every time another incident occurs. Document everything. We actually were able to use footage from a neighbors ring doorbell to get a restraining order and force the dangerous neighbor to leave.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Document every interaction. Call the police any time there is a threat or harassment and press charges. Seek a no-contact order or other remedy to keep them away from you and place them on the police radar.

Chris Seveney · Answer

we had two neighbors where one was threatening the other and they got a restraining order on the other. The neighbor still harassed and threatened and finally the courts forced them to move and sell the house. As mentioned, forget the HOA and get the cops involved.

Richard F. · Answer

Aloha,For threats, call the PD and make a report. For rants and general craziness, document, document, document. Dates, times, duration, basic details, photos/videos when possible. Compile your list monthly, a week or so prior to Board meetings, and send it to the Board via their PM/Managing Agent without personal feelings, opinions, demands, etc. In other words, just write down the facts. Request a written response. Reference the House Rule(s) that are being violated (and/or DCCR's or other Governing Documents), such as noise, disturbances/nuisances, aggressive behavior, etc. Check your Governing Documents for options...some require Mediation or Arbitration, sometimes Court is the only option. IF your Board is NOT adhering to their own Governing Docs, or applying enforcement inconsistently, the Board Members could potentially be held personally responsible. Name them in any legal action. I recommend you source an Attorney with HOA experience, sooner rather than later and at least have a conversation.One alternative is...if you can locate relatives of the neighbor that are not living there, maybe a serious conversation can help. I had a situation where the Resident was acting similarly to yours. It just so happened that a daughter contacted me for an unrelated issue. I took the opportunity to provide her with some of the details, and actually emailed her copies of threats that had been sent. "Mom" was moved into a proper care home about three months later and the unit was sold. Win, Win, Win.There are legal limits on what an HOA Board can/cannot do with regard to Residents Ageing in place or that are disabled. Check local HOA powers and duties, as well as local Fair Housing laws.

Scott Mac · Answer

Restraining order. Commitment to an Asylum. Be careful and avoid the person--run away if you have to.Good Luck!