Chapter 1 of this 2014 book offers a few examples of bully boards in actions with some suggested responses.
The president said: “You may recommend all you wish, but an officially elected board will decide. Our main role is to keep things moving smoothly. Your apparent role is to stir things up for whatever reason.” (page 11)
Dr. Gary Solomon describes the syndrome as falling into the psychiatric category of anxiety disorders. HOA syndrome is a disorder not too different from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But unlike PTSD, which generally has its root in a single event, sufferers of HOA syndrome have been systematically traumatized by continual and methodical harassment. Dr. Solomon notes condo associations and HOAs focus on a homeowner’s minor or non-existing infractions. The purpose for these attacks is to create an income stream. This income stream makes its way into the pockets of the management companies, collections agencies, and attorneys, none of whom live within the community they are harassing. Dr Solomon observes: “These organizations feed off of fear-based harassment.” (page 22)
Dr. Solomon also suggests engaging a personal injury attorney, who may take the case on contingency. (page 27)
Posted by Jana on May 5, 2026 at 9:09 pm
I have been living in condo hell. We have controlling person on board, nothing gets fixed if it is her idea. She is the point person with management, vendors, threatens with lack of payment. She wants to use fines as an income stream. No one on the board stands up to her. She keeps getting things fixed around her unit.
Posted by burypensions on May 6, 2026 at 10:22 am
I feel your pain. Basically have that same scenario here.
In a democracy all are supposed to have an equal voice but, with the wrong person taking advantage of the situation and without outside oversigt, you have some seeing themselves as
more equal than others and running the place as if it were all their property (and money).
Posted by Anonymous on May 6, 2026 at 10:33 am
The problem is that no one else on the board will stand up to her. Nobody thinks it is strange that out of 106 units that she has the one unit that has problems with mold. We had very bad rains in 2023, 2024 and there were cracks found in the stucco. We redid the stucco outside her unit three times, rebuilt her closet three times?!? Still she claims there is mold??
It is scary that one person has so much power and control over 106 units. It is crazy how people on the board can take so much advantage of the situation while homeowners and minority on the board are left helpless. There are not any laws or ways of addressing these issues.