Tenant refuses to move property for repainting

The trouble started with the first stage, to power wash the building. Although painting notices were posted to the doors, there were several cars left in the parking lot next to a wall of siding. Instead of covering these few cars with plastic (at extra expense to the HOA) the power wash was re-scheduled for the next working day. That did not go well either; patio furniture was not moved, and one car was left in the lot where the painter would be working. All attempts to contact the tenant by telephone or door knock failed (conked out asleep upstairs) so the painter carefully covered the car in plastic to prevent damage by falling paint chips, as is his usual practice. Soon the car's owner was taking photographs of his car with the plastic on it. Of course, the car suffered no damage to the finish by the thin strips of masking tape holding the plastic in place. Ever since this incident, the tenant has been holding a grudge and refuses to comply with any painting notice posted to his door. He claims that he wasn't properly notified, and considers all notices to be from incompetent people. He refuses to speak to anyone about preparation for repainting, whether it's the painter, the condo owner to whom he pays rent, or any officer of the HOA. He has blocked the telephone numbers of an HOA officer and the condo's owner, and refuses to speak to them at the door. We are not harrassing him, but we would like to get all parts of the building repainted. The last time I was able to speak to him on the phone, he said that if anyone attached masking tape to his car, or moved his property from the patio area, he would call the police and report it as criminal mischief. During this time, repainting work is done on other parts of the building instead of the grudge areas. The other residents whether tenants or owners, had no trouble complying with the preparation instructions. The painter's schedule has little time for the HOA sending legal notification by certified mail, if that would be necessary. The posting of a car towing notice is not planned. Instead, I would like to arrange to have a police officer present at a certain time and date when we again cover his car with plastic, and move his patio furniture away from the building. Is this the wise course of action?

Sounds like this is a renter correct? This is imporant. If it's an owner it's a whole other problem resolution. I will give advice as if this is a renter. In that case the above poster is correct. Go ahead and do the work. Do the best you would to protect anyone else's property. Don't go above or make special concessions.

If you feel more comfortable having a police officer present, by all means do it. He should be there to protect the worker doing the work. I would most likely have requested an officer to be present if at all possible. Just keep in mind that an officer is busy and may NOT come out unless there is a confrontation.

The HOA is responsible ONLY to the owner and NOT the renter. IMO you are NOT harrassing this person although he may be taking it that way. There's NO harassment considered if it is a proper notice no matter what he considers the source.

I have a parable on this situation bare with me.... There was a great flood. This man in the house said "I won't leave because God will save me" to the fireman when asked to leave. Later, the water rised... The man yet again told the rescue worker "God will save me". The water got to the roof. The man told the helicopter operator, "God will save me, I will NOT go". The man drowned. He gets to the pearly gates. He asks God : "Why didn't you save me?". God replies: I sent a Fireman, a Rescue worker, and a helicopter!!!. Sometimes we are looking for answers from a "higher" source when the source is already around us.

Why are you trying to protect his property?

I would simply post a notice on his door regarding the date and time of the repainting and state that if he does not take precautions to prevent his property from overspray that is his problem/expense and then go ahead and paint regardless of whether he moves his personal property.

I find it interesting that he refuses to communicate with the "condo owner" to whom he pays rent.

This is one good reason you should always deal with the Owner and have the landlord force the tenant to comply. The landlord is the one with the power to enforce the guidelines. It is the HOA with the power to enforce the guidelines with the Owner.