So let's start this story shall we.....

I recently purchased a townhouse on Commerce St in Milwaukee, WI. The condo was in bad condition and needed a lot of work. One of the items that I wanted to add was a home automation/security system to my condo. It would help me sleep better at night and calm my anxiety about moving into a new place.

A few days before I moved in my next-door neighbor came out and introduced herself. She was this kind, older woman who would be the person to make you cookies. She told me she was an "original owner" which means she first moved in when they were built back in 2002. She also told me that she noticed a lot of movement in an out of my condo. This would be because I had a lot of contractors coming in and out doing various projects to my condo.

Fast-foward a couple of months. I read over my HOA documents because I was looking to install outdoor cameras on my condo. I had already had to get approval for a keyless lock and Ring Doorbell since it is an "outdoor change". I read over the documents and there was nothing that stipulated anything against outdoor cameras. I also noticed that my neighbors were doing the same thing. I thought to myself, well if there is no record from the last meeting about approval for the cameras on their units I feel that it would be ok to do it myself. I would come to find out I was wrong.

With this, I go ahead and install one camera on the lower balcony, hidden in the corner where no one can see it unless you are really looking. Then I installed one upstairs on the outside of the condo facing the front door. This would mean that every entrance and exit of my condo was covered, including the garage since there is a camera in there. I had these cameras for over a month and I thought there was nothing wrong with them. That was until I get a letter in the mail.

The letter stated that if I do not remove the cameras and the sign I put up that says "Smile your on camera" that my unit will be sanctioned and that I will be faced with fines and they will vote to kick me out of the association. The next door neighbor, who is now not my favorite person found the sign "offensive." I mean come on, I bought it at Home Depot for .98 cents and thought it was funny. Evidentially she did not get the joke. Anyways, this letter made me furious. Come to find out that my next door neighbor, who is on the board of the association, actually has been spying on my unit to see what changes I have made. The same day I got a letter, a man from Hunt Management comes and starts talking to the next door neighbor. Of course, with my temper flared I go out on my balcony and tell them that they have no right to tell me to take them down because there is no stipulation and that under the Fair Federal Housing Act of 1988 I have a right to "reasonable changes".

They looked at me and the man from Hunt Management told me that Federal Law does not stipulate or "trump" over HOA rules. The funny thing was is that I had counsel with my legal team about this letter which told me the complete opposite. I will admit that I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression disorder and other things that I would rather not talk about, but they do count as a disability. Now I do not want to say that they are a disability but under the FFHA they are according to my attorney. I would also like to take this opportunity to say that my disability is no where near as bad as what other have to face but for me to feel safe in my own home I had these cameras installed. They give me piece of mind.

So long story short, my attorneys have now briefed me on the next steps on what to do if the board comes back and says no to the camera. I was told by the management company that I am allowed to keep them up for the time being and that all communication will be between the board, management company, and my attorneys. Now I know many of you might be saying, oh spoiled rich kid trying to get what he wants. I understand that, but I feel that it is important for people to understand that whenever someone tries to come after me or you (the audience) personally DO NOT GO DOWN without a fight. This is my time to take action and have people put up cameras and allow them to have their own piece of mind when they sleep at night at home.

So far there has been peace between the neighbors and since the board had a "closed door session" about the cameras I was not allowed to give input or tell my side of the story. To me, that was a mistake because it shows me that they do not care about the other owners and people who just want to have that peace of mind at night. So the Board of Directors to the BeerLine Townhomes and to Hunt Management I say these words: Bring it on!