Security Cameras

Are there any rules, regulations, or laws pertaining to security camera footage? A previous Board Member that was not currently running sent out a mass email to everyone in the building speaking lies and slandering a person that was running to be on the Board. She said she had a video to prove one of her statements and anyone that wanted to see it she would send it to them. She sent the video to about 5 people. It is my understanding the video was only given to one person that was involved in an altercation at the time. Where would we start looking to find out about laws. There is nothing stated in the Declarations regarding videos from the security cameras.

The HOA could have 3rd party liability under recent amendments to the Fair Housing Act.

See article:

https://www.hoalawblog.com/hoa-liability-discriminatory-harassment-primer/

There is a lot of chatter about the unfairness of making the HOA liable as a 3rd party for an FHA violation. Yet, that's the new law, and unless it gets changed, someone is bound to test it in court. Those with the deeper pockets are easily added to a lawsuit.

What exact "Deep pockets" does a HOA really have? Explain this to me? I could not raise our dues $5 to get the money we needed to run the place. So where is this money going to come from in a lawsuit? Insurance? Our insurance deductible was 20K!!! Are you and your neighbors going to need to raise money to pay the deductible alone?

No a HOA does NOT have "deep pockets". It you and your neighbor's pockets. How much you want out of yours to handle this mess?

Larger communities in cities can have budgets over a million dollars and multi-million dollar reserves. Someone here commented recently that his annual budget was in that range. It may not be the norm, but that doesn't mean your association is the norm either - although I think the average is closer to your end of the scale.

And yeah, that money is going to come out of the pockets of homeowners whose only crime was not choosing their neighbors wisely. That's why I and others are so annoyed by this law. It supports my belief that community associations are cash cows that benefit almost everyone except the people who own homes in them.

Wow.. Where to start. No you can't "Choose" your neighbors/members in a HOA. If you can buy a house, you become a member whether or not you or your neighbors like it. No landlords can NOT just "evict troublemakers". There are laws that protect the tenants. If you don't have it in your lease agreement that a violation of a HOA is grounds for eviction, then you can't evict. MC's can fire their OWN employees not any of the HOA's. Considering HOA's are run by VOLUNTEERS.

If someone has millions of dollars in their RESERVES it can't be touched for other purposes than for replacement of capital expenses. It doesn't work like a savings account. the money is there for roof replacement, street maintenance, or other capital expense of the large variety. The money for lawsuits and such would come out of the regular budget.

So this board member potential person should NOT be protected by any HOA rules. They are violating real laws. This is harassment directed toward another person. I say have the victim call the police or a lawyer. Take the fight to the members doors not the HOA's streets.