Advice Dealing with Co-Op Board
I've been an owner of an apartment in a Co-Op building for the past 12 years. I have never caused any issues or had run-ins with the board.
I recently had a male friend stay in and out of my apartment & put him in as a guest into our building security system as such. My board unexpectedly decided to fine me for having a tenant for more than 30 days. But my friend did not stay for 30 days continuously. He was in and out over the course of a few months helping me with a few projects and house sitting when I was traveling over the holidays since we've had some ongoing renovations in the building that required outside contractors to be in my unit.
I have told the board as much and as soon as I was alerted there was an issue, he never stayed over again. They have since fined me $1500 even though they seemed understanding & nice when I explained my circumstances and taken it out of my monthly co-op fees.
I have since sent them my flight tickets showing them when I was in and away from NYC. My work has a 3x RTO in-person policy and my HR has offered to write me a note that I was at work and never gone for longer than 10 days at any given time. But as a grown woman and owner, this feels rather childish to have to do. I can have friends stay over in a unit I own, right? The board doesn't have any proof that my guest stayed illegally for over 30 days and there was no sublease or exchange of money.
What can I do? The fine is significant & I feel bullied/harassed into paying it. Who can I contact for mediation?