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What A Mess

Started by DawnL6 ā€¢ 18 replies ā€¢ 310 views

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DawnL6 (South Carolina)
Posts: 226
Posted:
I have heard some wild hoa stories,but never thought I'd have to live through a few myself.

The management company of my South Carolina HOA has demanded a key to all homeowners units or be fined.

The deed states they are allowed to enter in a emergency situation,BUT the co-founder of the management company has a criminal background history of first degree criminal sexual assault,heroin possession, theft,trespass, high and aggravated assault with intent to kill,and more.

Do I have to turn over a key?
I am disabled and widowed,and do not leave my home.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
And what does the BOARD have to say? The property manager is supposed to work at the board's direction. If the board lets the property manager roll over them or is in cahoots with them, that's when you and your neighbors (the ones who elect and reelect board members) need to do your job and replace them, if necessary.

In the meantime, what kind of community is this? I see this sort of thing coming up in a high rise condo, but it shouldn't be necessary for others.

As for the co founder, how much of the background information is true? Have you seen information from actual court cases or is some (most?) gossips abd people just guessing? Co founder doesnt mean current president or manager - if he no longer has any role with the company, you can calm down.
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
JackieB4 (California)
Posts: 398
Posted:
Give them a key, just not the one for your door.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JackieB4 on 09/25/2025 6:36 AM
Give them a key, just not the one for your door.

I like that answer.

Then, if they ever tell you that the key did not work - demand to know the emergency that required them to enter the unit.
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,334
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JackieB4 on 09/25/2025 6:36 AM
Give them a key, just not the one for your door.
Great idea. I think this may be the easiest solution (compared to fighting the board on this).
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,334
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JackieB4 on 09/25/2025 6:36 AM
Give them a key, just not the one for your door.
Great idea. I think this may be the easiest solution (compared to fighting the board on this).
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Dawn,
Love Jackies idea. I would also get active in your HOA if you are able. They possibly do Zoom meeting so leaving your home may not be an issue. Depending on the reason they come up with for needing these keys and the laws that allow this type of request it. I think this is crazy for the PM to have keys for any reason I can think of.

The request must have come with the reasons. Please share with us.
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DawnL6 on 09/24/2025 11:17 PM
I have heard some wild hoa stories,but never thought I'd have to live through a few myself.

The management company of my South Carolina HOA has demanded a key to all homeowners units or be fined.

The deed states they are allowed to enter in a emergency situation,BUT the co-founder of the management company has a criminal background history of first degree criminal sexual assault,heroin possession, theft,trespass, high and aggravated assault with intent to kill,and more.

Do I have to turn over a key?
I am disabled and widowed,and do not leave my home.

I am your neighbor. I am a widower in a wheel chair and I too never leave my home. Last night though, I had a medical emergency and was transported to the hospital and was promptly admitted.

A second unlikely event occurred, a pipe burst in my unit and water is now flooding into your unit. Donā€™t worry about a thing. There are hotels in your area you can check into and as soon as I am out of the hospital, I will give the management a key so they can fix that burst pipe. I know you will understand because you know the co-founder of the management company is a scandal.
DawnL6 (South Carolina)
Posts: 226
Posted:
I sent the board of directors the mugshots of the person but it first goes through the management company before forwarding to the board,and the management company says it's not him,that his name is a common name and .....
The name may very well be common,but the mugshots ain't...
It's him.
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DawnL6 on 09/25/2025 7:37 PM
I sent the board of directors the mugshots of the person but it first goes through the management company before forwarding to the board,and the management company says it's not him,that his name is a common name and .....
The name may very well be common,but the mugshots ain't...
It's him.

Hopefully you wonā€™t be enjoying a stay in a hotel because others in your community refuse to give up keys.
JulieH4
Posts: 75
Posted:
As a PM, I donā€™t require owners to provide keys. However, since we have many elderly owners, I suggested they may choose to leave a key in their file at the office (completely optional). This way, if an emergency arises, someone can access the unit quickly.

Iā€™ve also made it clear that while Iā€™ll hold the key if they choose to provide one, I canā€™t take responsibility for itā€”itā€™s simply available for emergency use.

Iā€™m not sure why they require it, and Iā€™d like to think that having a record wouldnā€™t lead anyone to misuse the keys. You could ask them to explain the reason behind the requirementā€”or, as someone else suggested, consider giving them a different key.
KevinS22 (California)
Posts: 10
Posted:
most HOA's these days are just trying to turn any profit they can from these fines.
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By KevinS22 on 09/29/2025 4:19 PM
most HOA's these days are just trying to turn any profit they can from these fines.

No, most HOAs these days are not trying to turn a profit from fines or assessments. They simply plan assessment revenues to fund operations and reserves.

But, there are owners who find themselves paying fines, attorney fees and late charges because of their own stupidity.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
There are emergencies in condos. Boards and/or first responders need to get inside units to address the emergencies. Either residents provide keys to the manager, so the first responders will force entry. They will damage doors, windows, or other parts of the unit in order to get inside.

Pick your poison.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By CathyA3 on 10/07/2025 10:11 AM
There are emergencies in condos. Boards and/or first responders need to get inside units to address the emergencies. Either residents provide keys to the manager, so the first responders will force entry. They will damage doors, windows, or other parts of the unit in order to get inside.

Pick your poison.

Well, I can see my typing skills have not improved...

"Either residents provide keys to the manager, OR the first responders will force entry."
RichardM29 (Virginia)
Posts: 5
Posted:
Just give them a phony key. They'll never know.
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RichardM29 on 10/15/2025 5:25 PM
Just give them a phony key. They'll never know.

Really bad advice. A declaration is contract law and failing to comply with the terms may lead to liability for damages.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DeanJ on 10/28/2025 11:31 AM
Posted By RichardM29 on 10/15/2025 5:25 PM
Just give them a phony key. They'll never know.


Really bad advice. A declaration is contract law and failing to comply with the terms may lead to liability for damages.

If the CC&Rs specified that a copy of your entry door key was required, I would agree with you.

However, if the CC&Rs are silent on that topic, I would tell them no, as I think that they are exceeding their authority.
If forced to comply, I would have a camera inside my home pointing at the entry door 24/7.
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 10/28/2025 1:00 PM
Posted By DeanJ on 10/28/2025 11:31 AM
Posted By RichardM29 on 10/15/2025 5:25 PM
Just give them a phony key. They'll never know.


Really bad advice. A declaration is contract law and failing to comply with the terms may lead to liability for damages.


If the CC&Rs specified that a copy of your entry door key was required, I would agree with you.

However, if the CC&Rs are silent on that topic, I would tell them no, as I think that they are exceeding their authority.
If forced to comply, I would have a camera inside my home pointing at the entry door 24/7.

If the CCRs say you have to allow access (which is rather normal for multi family buildings) and you decide not to provide a key, are you good with the HOA damaging your door for entry and refusing to pay for the damage if you are not home?

If you are, donā€™t give them a key.

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