Condo Owner Says HOA Fining $500 A Month Over 'Loud' Floors Installed Before He Bought Unit—Claims 'Board Tyrant' Tried To Personally Rip Them Up

Core Insights - The condo owner is facing fines of $500 per month due to flooring that was installed prior to their purchase, which the HOA claims does not meet the Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of 60 or above [2][4][8] - The HOA board is described as largely inactive, with one member taking unilateral actions against the owner, leading to claims of retaliation and incompetence [5][8] - Legal costs to challenge the HOA's demands are estimated between $30,000 and $40,000, while fixing the flooring could cost around $10,000 [6] HOA Management Issues - The HOA lacks a management company and is effectively run by one active board member, raising concerns about governance and accountability [2][4] - The board's demands include hiring a licensed contractor to remove flooring for sound testing, with the owner responsible for all associated costs [4][8] Legal and Financial Implications - The owner is considering legal action due to potential fraud, as the HOA did not disclose the flooring issue at the time of sale [5][6] - The situation highlights the risks associated with traditional real estate investments, as the owner faces ongoing fines and legal ambiguity [9] Community Reactions - Online commenters express frustration with the HOA's actions, suggesting that the responsibility lies with the HOA for not addressing the issue before the sale [5][7] - The absurdity of the testing method proposed by the HOA is questioned, with doubts about how sound ratings can be verified through the removal of flooring [8]