California Condo Hoa Neighbor Outside 24/7

Started by SheilaR5 • 11 replies • 181 views

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SheilaR5 (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

Hello all,

Was wondering if anything can be done about a California Condo neighbor being in the common areas 24/7 including a shared carport space. He finds things to do outside morning noon and night, such as sanding and repainting entire carport, wheelbarrowing in decorative rock to create areas in front of his condo, powerwashing all the sidewalks in our area, powerwashing his attatched condo and balconies. Today he has been in our shared carport since 6am overhauling his car, he smokes weed in our shared carport and then proceeds to essentially tweek out on meaningless things all day. At night he stands out front of the condos of creeps around the bushes in the pitch black because all of our lights have been out for months. Our board won’t do anything about it even though you can not put in your own landscaping, or do any work to the units without an architectural request. I realize this is not illegal behavior but my husband and I would love to be able to go outside with him not being there or go into our carport without him there. Any suggestions? He has woken us up many many times in the early am or late pm but we have 0 recourse with the board. They don’t care because he does not live next to them. He is very odd and has no common sense in this regard. Thank you for reading and please don’t rip me apart.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Have you tried talking to this guy - if he's starting this repair work or whatever is at 6 am and/or is still at it at 11 pm, and it's noisy, that's just rude. If the wheelbarrowing is interfering with your ability to use your section of carport, that's also rude.

That said, this may be more of a dispute between residents and boards usually dont get involved in those unless several people are involved or the common area is being misused or abused. I dont know what you've said to the board - they might pay more attention to a noise complaint.

As for the weed, I did some googling and you might be able to sue him under california civil code 3479, but you'll need proof, it could be expensive and take a lot of time. You can Google the law yourself and you may want to see what it says about noise, which also be considered a nuisance. In fact, check your documents about "quiet enjoyment". Homeowners can enforce the CCRs against another homeowner, so that could be a lawsuit - with the same risks.

You should already be documenting this stuff, including your attempts to talk to the neighbor. If he has a spouse, talking to her or him might also help. The other stuff may be more of a lifestyle difference and as long as the law or community rules aren't being violated, the two of you may need to find a way to live with each other's quirks.

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

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

PS - can you split up these sentences into smaller paragraphs- this was a little hard to read.

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

MichaelS56 (Minnesota)
Posts: 859

Posted:

Two suggestions about the working at all hours, the city or the county probably has a noise ordinance which states what hours work can be done. Second thought is about your own condo rule and regulations pertaining to work hours. Hopefully you will find some help with the noise part.

DeanJ
Posts: 1,786

Posted:

Sounds like you have an over active neighbor and a crap board.

I have a suspicion that you are not the only owner who is upset over the lighting and this person creeping them out. I would speak to other neighbors and if they are having the same experience, go to your board collectively and ask for both reasonable rules and enforcement.

This includes hours of use for the common areas.
Prohibitions on activities such as working on cars.
Prohibiting use of alcohol and weed in common areas.
Enforcing landscaping rules.

SheilaR5 (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

I absolutely have a crap board, lights have been out for months. Every bush or tree is dead or dying. We have 2 forclosures right next to us and his other neighbors don’t seem to care about him being outside 24/7 but I also have not spoken to them. Currently, if I tried to go to my carport, he is in there right now with his car on jacks and he will be in there until it gets dark. It’s frustrating as we would love to go outside one day and he NOT be out there🤣

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,335

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SheilaR5 on 09/06/2025 4:40 PM
At night he stands out front of the condos of creeps around the bushes in the pitch black because all of our lights have been out for months.

Send a polite, just-the-facts, letter to the board requesting that the HOA repair or replace bulbs. Identify exactly which lamps are out or not working. Ask the board to respond to your request by September 28. If you want a draft of such a letter, just ask.

If the board does nothing, post back, and I will advise how to elevate this.

You gotta start somewhere. May as well start with the most concrete violation of the covenants possible.

Regarding how you find some of this man's activities (that do not violate the covenants) annoying: I think somehow, you all have to accept that this is the price of condominium (and so close quarter) living. Lots of people buy houses because they want //air space// between them and their neighbors. Why is air space important? I think you are finding out why. Not to be snotty or badger. More to encourage you to realize that condo living has a price, when it comes to privacy. Maybe start thinking of moving in a few years? Or at least weigh the pros and cons of moving and seeing if overall, the condo is still a better arrangement for you all.

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,335

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ElleN on 09/07/2025 3:16 PM
If you want a draft of such a letter, just ask.

Strike the above.

DeanJ
Posts: 1,786

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ElleN on 09/07/2025 3:16 PM

Posted By SheilaR5 on 09/06/2025 4:40 PM
At night he stands out front of the condos of creeps around the bushes in the pitch black because all of our lights have been out for months.

If homeowners are consuming drugs, albeit legal on the state level, and/or alcohol in the common areas, being under the influence increases the risks of falls and other injuries. This is not acceptable behavior.

Similarity, placing cars on jacks or working with flammables (gasoline) in common areas raises the risk of injuries and fires.

The lurking around bushes at night is a security issue because no one knows if the person is a hyper owner or a criminal.

All of these are addressable as reasonable regulations.

That said, it is many times easier to move than fix a broken condo board.

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,335

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DeanJ on 09/07/2025 4:39 PM

If homeowners are consuming drugs, albeit legal on the state level, and/or alcohol in the common areas, being under the influence increases the risks of falls and other injuries. This is not acceptable behavior.

You have no idea if there is a covenant that addresses the behavior of the man in question. No covenant = nothing to be done.

DeanJ
Posts: 1,786

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ElleN on 09/07/2025 6:53 PM

You have no idea if there is a covenant that addresses the behavior of the man in question. No covenant = nothing to be done.

You don’t live in an HOA with declaration provisions that provides board authority to establish reasonable regulations and fines?

SheilaR5 (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

Thank you Dean! I appreciate your info!

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