Former Board Member

You are no longer a board member and have no authority to use the HOA’s attorney. You need to get the current board to authorize the HOA’s attorney to act in your behalf - if that is even possible.

What specifically is the person doing to harass you?,

This seems more like a dispute between residents since you're not on the board anymore. It's great that you have the recording- that can be used for a lawsuit against her. However, you'll need your own for this (you can request reimbursement for legal expenses as part of the lawsuit).

Talk to an attorney about your options. You might also call the non emergency number of the police department to see if you can get a restraining order against her. If you haven't already done so, start keeping a log of everything, including phone messages, texts, etc. All that may be necessary for legal action, criminal and civil.

It sounds like what this person's current actions are violations that the board should pursue. Blocking someone else's driveway, dog off leash, and dog biting someone else's pet are all violations per my community's CC&Rs - and the dog biting other animals would result in removal of the animal from the premises. (Our CC&Rs give the board complete discretion on whether or not to declare a dog "unsafe".)

Good ahead, make this gal's day. File formal complaints with the board in writing, along with any photos or video you have. If this bad citizen is doing this to you, she's probably doing it to others - especially with the dog. In my community, you could also file a complaint with the county about the dog bite, and the county may take the animal (especially if there have been other reports about the dog). If you go to the doctor to have the bite treated in my area, they will ask for the details and may file a report for you.

Pet ownership is a privilege hereabouts, not a right. And boards can't allow bullies to terrorize the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, she is friends with 3 of the 5 new Board Members.

Animal control should have been your first phone call, but I suspect you didn’t do this in a timely manner. If it happens again, call them immediately and retail your evidence from the first incident,

I would request the board to take action and start an evidence file. If this keep escalating, you may need to hire an attorney who will send the board a letter saying if they don’t take action to resolve this you will be taking legal action against the HOA for failing to enforce their rules.

hey Dean I think she did get in touch with animal control and they did send the warning letter out.

Sheila In terms of courthouse needing more details then you need to document that and for the next "incident" see that those details are collected. I don't know if you need more surveillance cameras, a log of time date and location etc. Good to post what details (generic) they want so we know if we are in the same bind we know what to collect.

Tough spot with the change of board you are getting the residual effects. Dean's advice is do not back down to the new board. They have a duty and obligation to perform and if they do not do that you got a rope around their necks by doing the correct process in notification. Ensure if you have enough cameras for your property. Here in NJ you are allowed to put cameras pointing anywhere except into the interiors of others properties. Since you are in a condo you are not allowed most likely to put on the exterior. My cameras are inside pointing out.

Here are some tough questions. 1. Is this neighbor a member in the development or actually physically right next to your property? The reason why if this person was somewhere else and the complaint was filed against them by the board and the management company that is fine. However this person was your next door neighbor then you might are running the risk as being on the board of selective enforcement. Did the community send out notification to all members reminding them about pets?

True story> Condo assn. Tandem parking spots 2 spots per unit. Neighbor has two spots but decided to put junk in the other unit owners empty spot. Neighbor contacted neighbor directly. they did not move. Mgmt contacted and did nothing. Mgmt company district manager contacted and they sent a letter that all residents can not put anything in parking spots due to fire violation. Only cars in the spots. Everyone cleaned up their stuff except this one person. Now the setup was done and they could go after the "problem" person at the same time not targeting out the person since everyone was informed.

That's unfortunate and it changes my answer. You don't just have a bully neighbor problem, you probably have a board problem. I doubt they'll do anything about the bully until her behavior makes problems for them.

Do you know if she's singling you out or is targeting others as well? Your options change depending on the answer to this, with a group of owners more able to cause enough commotion that the board can't ignore it. That's especially true if a number of owners are fed up with the board in general and think that it's time for some new faces.

She only does this to me since I had to have her move her car from blocking myself and my husbands car. I also sent her a dog off leash violation about a month after she moved here. I have lived here almost 20 years. She does not like to be told what to do in an Hoa community.

I agree that this is more of a neighbor v neighor issue than an HOA issue.

Since you were on the board, you understand that there is limited actions the board can do.
Per your posting, the individual is friends with several board members so you don't think the board would act anyway.

Simple solution, quit using the board.
Contact the local authority instead.

Dog bites dog and it's documented - call animal control
Vehicle blocking your driveway - call the police to address the issue.
Feel like you are being threatened - talk to an attorney about a restraining order