Homeowner trying to control vendor and is making threats against homeowners

The owner who threatened other owners: What is the nature of the threats? Depending on them, the other owners should call the police. This is not, imo, a board matter.

Owners who criticize, advise, instruct the vendor should be instructed by the Board that any complaints they have must come to the PM or the board member who looks after landscaping. If the vendors employeee causes problems that include creating hazards, shouldn't the Board seek a new vendor?

"We have a problem with a particular homeowner who is trying to control a vendor." What does this mean, Paul? Is this owner also a board member? What do you mean that this owner says he has a vested interest in this vendor?" A financial interest? Personal interest?

What Kerri said.

If the board has had complaints from homeowners regarding safety. The board needs to meet with that vendor and get his/her side. But first, foexthe boarchave any details regarding these complaints, like date, time, locations, etc.? If not, tell those homeowners to file written complaints with that information. If they remember any specifics about the workers, you'll need that as well. Hopefully it's stuff like "the name on the shirt was Tony" (no ambiguous stuff like "two white guys..."

As for this homeowner with the "vested interest" in the vendor, I'd deal more with the threats he's made against the homeowners - his being a friend, partner, relative, etc., to the company means squat. Homeowners should still call police, but tge board needs to talk to this guy about the threats. Tell him if he thinks these homeowners aren't bring fair ir something to the workers, those concerns should directed to the board. Yes, he'll need to be specific and name names.

From there, you may see some patterns and address them more effectively- and I seem to recall you're on the board, so you're in a position to facilitate this. For example, the work is creating dust that's getting on people's cars, see if they can park elsewhere for a day or two until that work is done.

The board should investigate the complaint to see if there truly are issues, and then deal accordingly.

If you're simply dealing with problem owners, here's what we found helpful:

* All complaints must be submitting in writing and must identify the person making the complaint. If it isn't in writing, it isn't a valid complaint.

* Our action form has a section that asks if the homeowner is willing to testify in court. These first two items usually weed out crank complaints, and it tells the board if they need to find more evidence before moving further.

* Inform the squabbling homeowners, in writing, that threatening people can be a crime and that victims should report threats to the police. An article in the newsletter or on the community website may be helpful and will get people's attention. (FWIW, our local police told us that harassment is "getting in people's faces", which they defined as closer than 10 feet.) The police have more tools to reign in the bad actors.

* If the behavior doesn't rise to the level of harassment, you might want to run this past your association attorney to get their take. Threatening others usually violates one or more provisions in your CC&Rs; eg. the "nuisance" restriction that prohibits interfering with others' quiet enjoyment of their homes. Unfortunately such provisions can be vague enough to make enforcement difficult, which is why I suggest getting the lawyer's advice before proceeded.

Paul wrote: "We have a problem with a particular homeowner who is trying to control a vendor." What does this mean, Paul?