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MichaelH34 (North Carolina)
Posts: 179
Posted:
One of our vocational dissidents has requested the following:

"Please have my email address and phone number removed from all HOA, board, and committee files and correspondence."

I won't go into detail on the many ways they've practiced their dissidence, I don't have all day to write it out, but I would like your input on how to communicate with this person the fact that we can't remove them from ALL files and correspondence. After all, they're still a resident.

They were on a committee up until the point they sent the email with their resignation and request quoted above. I can easily remove them from that email list.

They are a member of our neighborhood web site where we post a mix of official HOA news, board and committee minutes and general neighborhood info. I can remove them from that web site since official information also comes through an email list.

I can easily remove them from the online contact list that all homeowners have access to. We already have some homeowners that didn't want either/both their ph# or email shared.

I shouldn't/can't remove them from the official HOA to homeowner email list as that's where official communications from the board to homeowners is sent out. We don't use USPS except for super-important updates like annual meeting related mailings.

The point being that I don't think we should have to comply with the "all" part of the request as there is some communication that needs to happen from the HOA and having to spend the time (and $) to mail a single resident routine communications seems to be an onerous requirement.

Also, there's no way we're going to go through every HOA record and redact her information.

My intention is to remove them from the obvious lists and have a response available in case they later come back with "I told you to remove my information from ALL ..."

TIA
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Mich

Typically a BOD is charted to keep an up to date list of owner and occupant contact information. Typically it is in the Covenants somewhere and being an owner you agree to such. I say ignore his request.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Email addresses are not required to be given to the HOA or anyone. Phone #'s if listed in a public source like a phone book not much can do about that. It's public. Their HOA address is PUBLIC and what makes them a member. So it's not like that can't be openly found simply by walking by.

I would tell them that the HOA can't remove information that is not already public knowledge. Which is resident address and phone number if listed. Everyone's address is available upon request in a HOA regardless if we like it or not. However, email addresses and unlisted #'s are not.

But hey if their house catches on fire or is destroyed by a tornado while they are not home. Not the HOA problem for not contacting them. They are only provided the HOA address which just happens to be burnt down or missing... Too bad so sad you did not provide that information...

Former HOA President
KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239
Posted:
Mike,

I think the best that you can do it opt this person out of email correspondence lists and only communication via 1st Class mail w/ the property manager having access to the phone number for communication. That is reasonable and forward-looking. Any other demand for redaction is unreasonable and likely impossible.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Explain that they are records of the association and should not be altered.
However, you will not provide the email or phone number to anyone without a court order.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
I agree with the rest. There is some information that the HOA must keep by law, and there are some forms of communication that the HOA must send to owners (eg. notice of the annual meeting). I'd tell the person that you will only keep and send things that are required by law, with no further comments - brief, bland, boring.

Vocational dissidents are so much fun... You have to wonder why they chose to remain in an HOA if things are so objectionable.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 08/22/2022 5:23 PM
Explain that they are records of the association and should not be altered.
However, you will not provide the email or phone number to anyone without a court order.

That could get interesting since it could conflict with requirements to provide association records to owners if requested.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
What Cathy and Tim said. Also tell the owner he/she is still responsible for complying with any rule or policy changes established by the board so he/she will need to figure out a way to get that information - ignorance of the changes just because he/she refuses to read association correspondence IS NOT an excuse, nor will the association incur additional expenses to accommodate him/her.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

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