There is something about being on a homeowners association board that seems to bring out the worst in people. I have seen so called “reformers” oust a sitting board only to be more abusive and tyrannical than the folks they unseated were. There is no guarantee that the development will be a kinder, gentler place to try to live.

Often the association attorney opines that by not enforcing the docs to the max the board members risk being held personally liable, that by not enforcing all the provisions of the declaration they will lose their ability to enforce them in the future, by not enforcing them property values will plummet.. And when this advice is followed, guess who the only person who benefits is? Yes, and these are the very same people who continually lobby for increased powers and authority.. Personally I think there is an inherent conflict of interest here..

While replacing “tyrants” with “benevolent dictators” can, has and will work, it is only a temporary fix. The underlying common ownership model is still very much in existence and still systemically flawed.. We can’t overlook that.

Shu Bartholomew, host of the On The Commons radio program