How to Get Your Pool Key in 10 Easy Steps

When we bought our home, it took nearly three months to get the pool and laundry keys. This is not based on a true story; it is the story.

1. Sign initial rental agreement before closing escrow on your new home. Be told by Claudia that they are out of pool and laundry keys but they will make more and drop them off in the mailbox the following week. Until then, she suggests going through the Clubhouse to get to the pool.

2. Receive nothing. Wait a few weeks and then stop by the office at 9:30 a.m.; an exercise in futility because nobody has bothered to come to work yet.

3. Try again several days later. Be told by Claudia that they are in the process of having more keys made and to come back in a few days.

4. Go to the office a week later, at 1:45 p.m. The office is locked up tighter than a drum. Envy the long lunches, and resent the continued waste of time and effort involved in attempting to reach park staff.

5. Review appointment schedule to plan another attempt to go to the office to inquire and/or pick up keys.

6. Stop by the office a few days later to ask about the keys that were allegedly being made in Step 3. Be informed by Claudia that they “just gave the last one out” and again need to get more keys made, which they will do that afternoon. She goes on to say that Carlos will put the keys in the mailbox.

7. Continue to walk through the Clubhouse to get to the pool, all the while violating park rules by wearing pool attire in the Clubhouse.

8. Receive nothing in the mailbox.

9. Wait a couple of weeks and then trek back over to the office to inquire. Listen to Carlos explain that keys are not normally provided by the park; it is the buyer’s responsibility to get the pool and laundry keys from the seller. Inform Carlos that it is your third discussion with park employees since moving in; the former resident is deceased, you have been promised keys for months and you want your keys. Period. Listen skeptically as Carlos informs you he will have keys copied that afternoon. Ask for a specific time they will be ready, and agree on 3:00 p.m.

10. Go back to the office at 3:30 p.m. Express no surprise when you learn that no keys have actually been made. Claudia pulls the keys off her own key ring and … Voilá! You have your pool and laundry keys.

I’m sure many homeowners have a story to tell. By sharing our experiences, we can support and learn from one another about techniques that are effective in resolving our concerns. Please tell us your story. Send an email to ggmhoa@gmail.com. If you are concerned about privacy, your identity will not be published.