Introduction to Raccoon Problems

Raccoons can be a significant nuisance, especially when they start causing damage to property. A common issue faced by many homeowners is raccoons getting inside engine blocks and causing severe damage to vehicles. This includes biting into the wiring system, fluid lines, and hood insulation. When faced with such a problem, it’s essential to know the right course of action.

Understanding Responsibility

Generally, wildlife removal falls on individual homeowners rather than the community association, unless the governing documents direct otherwise. The first step in addressing the issue is to review the community’s documents to see if this is a specific responsibility of the association. If they do not mention the subject, it is the responsibility of the individual owners. However, if the issue is happening in the parking lot, which is part of the community’s common elements, the answer is a bit less clear.

Community Association’s Role

The community association is responsible for maintaining the parking lot and grounds, so it has some responsibility as the property owner, even if it did not as the association. Residents should work with their board and property manager to deal with the problem. This collaborative approach can help in finding a solution that works for everyone.

Eliminating Attractants

To discourage raccoons from causing damage, it’s crucial to eliminate what attracts them in the first place. Ensuring the landscaping is trimmed correctly, the trash is secured, and the area is kept clean can go a long way. Removing any bird feeders and ensuring other food sources, such as fallen fruit and vegetables from the landscaping, are cleaned up is also essential.

Humane Deterrents

Reach out to a local wildlife professional to discuss other humane options, such as motion-activated lights or sprinklers, and use natural deterrents. Hopefully, this will cause the critters to leave the community. By working together as a community, it should be possible to effectively discourage the raccoons from continuing to make the association their home while ensuring the residents, their cars, and the raccoons’ safety and well-being.

Dealing with Dismissive Associations

If the association is dismissive, as in the case of Evelio, who was told, “it’s out of our hands,” residents should not give up. They should continue to work with their board and property manager, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the common elements and the potential liability issues if the problem is not addressed.

Conclusion

Dealing with raccoons can be challenging, but by understanding the responsibilities of the community association and individual homeowners, and by working together to eliminate attractants and use humane deterrents, it’s possible to find a solution. Remember, the goal is to discourage the raccoons from causing damage while ensuring the safety and well-being of both the residents and the raccoons.

FAQs

• Q: Who is responsible for wildlife removal in a condo community?
  • A: Generally, wildlife removal falls on individual homeowners unless the governing documents direct otherwise.
• Q: How can we discourage raccoons from our community?
  • A: Eliminate attractants such as food sources, use humane deterrents like motion-activated lights or sprinklers, and keep the area clean.
• Q: What if the community association is dismissive of the problem?
  • A: Continue to work with the board and property manager, emphasizing the importance of maintaining common elements and potential liability issues.

• Q: Can we use natural deterrents to keep raccoons away?

  • A: Yes, natural deterrents can be an effective and humane way to discourage raccoons from the community.
    

    Q: I live in a great condo community, but recently we have experienced raccoons getting inside the engine blocks and causing severe damage to our vehicles. This includes biting into the wiring system, fluid lines and hood insulation. When we approached the association, they were dismissive and said, “it’s out of our hands.” What options do we have? — Evelio

    A: Generally, wildlife removal falls on individual homeowners rather than the community association, unless the governing documents direct otherwise.

    Your first step is to review your community’s documents to see if this is a specific responsibility of your association. If they do not mention the subject, it is the responsibility of the individual owners.

    However, the issue is happening in the parking lot, which is part of the community’s common elements, so the answer is a bit less clear.

    Your association is responsible for maintaining the parking lot and grounds, so it has some responsibility as the property owner, even if it did not as the association.

    Your residents should work with your board and property manager to deal with the problem.

    First, try to eliminate what attracts the raccoons by ensuring the landscaping is trimmed correctly, the trash is secured, and the area is kept clean. Remove any birdfeeders and ensure other food sources, such as fallen fruit and vegetables from the landscaping, are cleaned up. Reach out to a local wildlife professional to discuss other humane options, such as motion activated lights or sprinklers, and use natural deterrents. Hopefully, this will cause the critters to leave your community.

    By working together as a community, you should be able to effectively discourage the raccoons from continuing to make your association their home while ensuring the residents, their cars, and the raccoons’ safety and well-being.

    Board-certified real estate lawyer Gary Singer writes about industry legal matters and the housing market. To ask him a question, email him at gary@garysingerlaw.com, or go to SunSentinel.com/askpro. 

    <p>Originally Published: March 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT</p>