We still don’t know what started the argument between the Memorial Day weekend renters of the villa but the threatening shouts from a mature male voice and the screams, sounding more of rage than fear, from a female were enough to cause the adjacent owner to call Security and demand an immediate response.
It moved outside. The man, young and defensive football player in size, continued to shout but chose to assault the mailbox stand and three boxes rather than the woman in the villa who we later learned was his mother. Their metal structure proved insufficient to prevent the boxes from being destroyed, apparently after being repeatedly fist pummeled, while one of the wooden 2”x12” horizontal beams was cracked and the 4”x4” posts loosened after being kicked. The man got into his car and screeched out of the parking lot before Security arrived. Fortunately, no one was hurt. A report was filed. Cost of repair: $85.00 to replace each mailbox and $850 to rebuild the mailbox stand.
One thing was certain. The Association was not going to pay for it.
Rule 18 is clear. “Owners are financially responsible for damages caused by themselves or their guests to the common property and/or to other Owner’s personal property or Units.”
The three mailboxes have been replaced and the stand will be rebuilt. In the end the amount was paid by the rental agent listing the unit most likely at the owner’s insistence after being told that action would be taken to place a lien on the property for costs incurred and legal fees if payment was not forthcoming. The owner may have pressed the Association’s position that owners and their agents have a duty under Florida law to screen prospective renters to assure proper behavior.
The Board will continue to take an aggressive approach to secure reimbursement from owners “for damages caused by themselves or their guests.” Anything less would be unfair to the other owners. The next battleground will be assessing repair costs for clogged drains and pipes resulting from clearly identifiable indifference in their use. There is no way to know how many owners have installed the helpful notices that continue to be available on this web site but it is hoped that everyone will help in the effort. Again, anything less would be unfair to others.
Joel Marmelstein, Director