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MsshannonH (California)
Posts: 1
Posted:
I am the President of a 16 unit Condo in California. One of the tenants had their brother living in their unit for about two weeks and was caught (by me) masturbating in the garage area about a month ago. He was taken away for a mental health evaluation at that time. Prior to this, he had been hanging around in the stairwells, laundry rooms, garages for hours on end frightening the other residents. Just standing there. We, the board, notified the owner who suggested we call the police if he comes back to the property. He has been back several times but did not stay long enough for me to call the police. Finally, last week I was able to call them at which time the officer had me call the owner. He explained to the owner that she needs to file a restraining order since he's not on the lease and neither the tenant or owner wants him here.

Now, the owner is telling us that the HOA board needs to file it because he hasn't harmed her or her tenant and that she, as the owner, has no rights. She stated that her tenant probably wont file it because it's their brother but yet, they dont want him here either. He waits outside the building for someone to enter or exit the building since we have a security gate and that's how he gains access to the property.

I just wanted to know if any of you know if the tenant, owner, or HOA should file the restraining order?

Thank you
AugustinD
Posts: 3,698
Posted:
Speaking as a layperson but with some experience about who has standing to file a restraining order:

-- Consult the HOA's attorney. Meanwhile, consider the following.

-- Get proof in writing from both the owner and the tenant that this person is not welcome in their home.

-- Document that this person is trespassing.

-- Get the police to give him a formal trespass notice. This is dependent a bit on the city. It may or may not be possible where you are.

-- Have the HOA attorney do any court filing. The chances are good that, under California law, only an attorney may represent your HOA in court for an issue like this.
AugustinD
Posts: 3,698
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By AugustinD on 11/02/2021 6:10 AM
Speaking as a layperson but with some experience about who has standing to file a restraining order:
That should have been "file for a restraining order". Typically there is a hearing where the accused gets a chance to defend himself. Then a judge or court administrator yada makes the call about whether a restraining order will be issued.
BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273
Posted:
Each state has different laws but I believe a real person has to file a restraining order not an organization, so that leaves out the HOA. If you do not personally feel threatened by the person then I would not do it, because typically a restraining order requires that you state under oath that you are being or have been threatened.

Whether or not the owner or tenant wants to swear out the restraining order is their personal decision and I recommend not getting involved.

From the owner's standpoint, if the brother was only visiting temporarily they can simply throw him out and the problem would be solved.

I do not understand why a restraining order would be needed. Are you certain the officer was not referring to a trespassing notice? In that case, the owner could give notice for their own condo, but not the complex. The HOA presumably could give notice for the building (depending on CA law).
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Ignore the restraining order.

Since you have gates and they are uninvited, the HOA can contact the police to report trespassing.
LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679
Posted:
Your property manager or board presided should call the police the next time this person is on the property and insist the police issue him a trespass citation. The trespass citation will premaritally ban him from
coming on the property even to visit relatives. I would even go as far as summoning the unit owner that this person visits to a executive session and issue them a fine for treating the safety and welfare of the community. During the hearing you lay down the line that this person is persona non gratis to enter anywhere on the property. If they enter the property again, that is criminal trespass and you issue another violation to the unit owner.

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