I have lived in my condo for more than 5 years. no late payments on fees etc. last year the condo created a new administrative rule imposing that no pets even for visits were allowed. We have no pet policy, however, my daughter has brought her dog over for a long time until they complained and decided to create a rule such that I would have to pay. (so far they have charged my with $800.00 in fines. $100.00 for each visit, including thanksgiving, christmas eve and christmas day. I have argued, pleaded and even got a doctor's note to allow me to have a pet for emotional distress. They still have not addressed that issue. My daughter has not visited me for 2 months and I am sick about it. our town does not have care takers for overnight pets.
advice please!
thanks
there's a lot you don't say about the pet issue, such as is your daughter's dog quiet or noisy? does she clean up after it. Is it a nuisance to others or has it had accidents in the halls etc... Nor do you provide a reason why you can't see your daughter at her home.
I cannot tell you about the law in your state, but I can say that in Georgia the rules/regs do not supercede the Declaration of covenants, because the covenants are filed at the courthouse and run with the land, and rules and regs can be changed more easily, though they are enforceable when reasonable. Further, rules and regs cannot prohibit something that is not prohibited in the covenants. In some instances it may be reasonable to prohibt pets, especially since condos by their nature put a lot of people in very close proximity where noiies and smells etc... can be bothersome to each other. Some folks suffer allergies so badly that walking down a hall that a pet has been in recently can cause health issues. Still, that should not allow the prohibition of service animals for the disabled.
From what you've said, however, you want a pet, not necessarily a service animal, and the fines were because of someone else's pet. I'd suiggest you contact your state's fair housing authority to discuss your need for a service animal, if one has been recommended by your doctor, and that the associaiton hasn't dealt with the matter. You should also seek legal advice about the validity of the fines imposed, and do so as soon as possible. If you cannot afford an attorney, see if there is a local legal aid or volunteer lawyers association in the area that can assist you. In GA the moment an amount is due and goes unpaid, it automatically becomes a lien agaisnt your home.
