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.

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