Anger Grows About FirstService Residential’s Management of the Russett Community Association

Board Steps In to Address Some Issues

Homeowners in the Russett Community Association say they remain frustrated with the performance of FirstService Residential, the community’s management company. Many cite ongoing problems such as lax parking enforcement on private streets, poor oversight of rental properties, and inadequate maintenance of lawns and homes — all reasons, they say, to replace the company altogether. Complaints have continued to grow ahead of the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting, set for Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:30 PM.

“It’s a lot of money to keep spending for so little in return,” said one homeowner who requested anonymity. “The management company is a problem, and it reflects poorly on those of us trying to maintain our properties. We need to act — and soon.”

Longtime homeowner Devin Tucker agrees, noting that while he’s had constructive conversations with the board, the evidence of poor performance by FirstService Residential is undeniable.

“My discussions with board members have been productive,” Tucker said. “I asked them to walk the parcel and see FirstService’s mismanagement firsthand — and two of them did. The board has taken some steps to address a few issues, but we’re still miles apart on inoperable cars that sit for months without action.” Tucker explained that most of the streets in Russett are private, and the management company has failed to enforce the covenant requiring vehicles to be moved periodically. The covenant was implemented to prevent vehicle storage, ensure that all cars are operable, discourage on-street car repairs which pose environmental hazards, and maintain the community’s appearance.

According to Tucker, FirstService Residential and some Russett board members have claimed that the covenant is not enforceable on private streets — an assertion he strongly disputes. “It’s still unclear how they arrived at that conclusion after all of these years of actually enforcing the covenant,” Tucker said. “Every management company has enforced the covenant since the beginning of Russett.  The lack of enforcement denies owners their equal right to enjoy what is fundamentally a community amenity."

Another owner, who also requested anonymity, said that the HOA's failure to enforce parking rules has created real problems . "We don’t even know if all the cars parked here belong to residents or renters with proper leases filed with the HOA. It's a problem."

Tucker added that FirstService Residential is the only management company in Russett’s 30-year history to claim that the covenant on private streets cannot be enforced, calling the position “unhelpful and unsupported.”

While Tucker credits the board for continuing dialogue about FirstService’s management, he emphasizes that parking — and its connection to rental oversight — remains the community’s most pressing concern.

“I appreciate the board’s willingness to engage,” Tucker said, “but the core issue remains: FirstService’s failure to enforce the covenant contract is eroding the quality of life in Russett.”  Tucker added that while the conversations have been promising, owners have no choice now but to consider legal action against the board and FirstService Residential if not corrected soon.

Dump FirstService Residential Petition Drive

In response to the growing concerns about FirstService, a group of owners have started Dump FirstService Residential (www.dumpfirstserviceresidential.com) to document concerns about the company. 

Tucker said that owners must also attend board meetings and be prepared to work.  “It’s easy to have a complaint.  We have a good board but we also need more volunteers to serve on committees like the one that will decide on a new management contract.  The time to start thinking about a new management company is now.”