Filthy Homeowner in Condo Community

Started by BobM5 • 5 replies • 1446 views

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BobM5 (California)
Posts: 34

Posted:

We are a community consisting of 44 condo units in three 2 story buildings in California. We have one elderly homeowner, a male about 85 years of age, with no family. He is confined most of the time to an electric scooter. Friends of his in another city recently visited him and were agast at his living conditions. They have moved him into a hotel while they have his unit gutted. They had to have trash shovelled out. The unit is crawling with roaches. The carpeting was encrusted with food and had to be removed. They have informed the management company that they are not responsible for the man and will no longer care for him. They told the management company that he is our problem from now on.

We've been aware that he is a problem for years. We have contacted social services and were told that as long as he wants to live here, he has that right and cannot be removed against his will. He is not willing to move and is not easy to deal with. Our CC&R's state that owners will maintain their units in clean condition, but he won't normally allow anyone from management or the board into his unit.

If anyone has had experience with a similar situation, please send your solution...especially those in California. Thank you.

GloriaM (North Carolina)
Posts: 829

Posted:

Bob:

I am not in CA, but did experience something like this in NJ. We had to not only contact social services to have aide help him, but the health department as well. We worked with social services and they had many volunteers that assisted the one person. I would pursue social services to help the man, there are so many departments you would be surprised at the help the elderly man can have.

JosephW (Michigan)
Posts: 882

Posted:

Look for your area "Office on Aging". They can often coordinate all of the necessary services:

http://www.c4a.info/WhoWeAreHP.html

http://www.aging.ca.gov/

Given the state of the unit and his lack of cooperation, the association can ask for a court order to have the unit regularly inspected by health and social services. That would take you out of the middle and still accomplish what you want.

Joe

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DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Council on Ageing is another name for this. Someone has to assist this poor old guy. Once a person is not making decisions that are good for them, their ability to stay alone is compromised and the authorities must step in. Just keep dialing until you find help for him. I certainly would take the time to do the right thing for him and it will also get some resolution for the association also.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

I forgot to add. I once owned a service business and when one of my dear old lady customers got lost on her way over to me for her appointment, after 20 years of weekly visits, I called her Dr., who I happened to remember. He contacted some family members from out of town and got her help. So try and find someone who has a connection to this guy. You know, that's what good neighbors do.

PaulM (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 1,347

Posted:

BobM5: I would contact Social Services again. It sounds as though the problem may escalate until there is an 'accident' which may harm others in the process--fire, a fall, etc. The police may also be a source of assistance, at least to notify his next of kin of his condition.

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