Condominiums in Boston, Massachusetts and surrounding towns come in all shapes and sizes. There are a plethora of 2 and 3 Unit condominiums, former personal\u00a0properties where the owner usually lived in one of the apartments, and rented out the other apartments to family or third parties. These “Mom and Pop” building are NOT the subject of this post.<\/p>\n
What I am addressing is Condominiums with four or more Units. These Units were either built as Condominiums, or have been converted from apartment buildings to condominiums. Some of these larger units are self-managed, but the great majority are managed by professional managers. These managers do not make things easy for the Unit Owners. There is almost always\u00a0a charge for move-ins and move-outs\u00a0and there is a charge for a 6(d) certificate, so-called, which indicates that there are no unpaid common area charges for a Unit which is being sold.<\/p>\n
Condominium Documents, when available, are unsigned, and amendments thereto are not furnished. Floor plans are not readily available, especially now since Massachusetts condominium law has been amended so as\u00a0not to require the recording of a certified floor plan at the\u00a0 first-time sale of a Unit.<\/p>\n
So, at least in Massachusetts condominiums, the law should be changed so that Condominiums with four or more Units,\u00a0should be required\u00a0to\u00a0maintain a Website, which contains, at a minimum the following items:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1. Floor Plans of each Unit<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2. A complete set of\u00a0 recorded Condominium Documents, and amendments, with Registry information included.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3. A form of a 6(d) Certificate which requires only “fill-ins” for completion.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4. The names of the current, of record, Trustees.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5.\u00a0The name, telpehone, and email address of the individual who needs to be contacted to fill out Condominium Questionnaires as required by lender.<\/p>\n
I would also suggest that Unit Owners have restricted access to minutes of the Trustees, so that Unit Owners can be kept up to date on proposed assessments and other matters affecting the Unit Owners. These can be distributed to prospective Buyers at the Sellers’ discretion, but I know that I always ask for them when I am representing a Massachusetts condominium Buyer, and they are often extremely helpful.<\/p>\n
The cost to set up a webpage continues to go down. The need for an effective vehicle for Unit Owner and realtor communication is real. I would be interested in hearing your response to this initiative. In my mind as a Massachusetts title attorney with over 40 years of experience, this change in the Massachusetts condominium law is way overdue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Condominiums in Boston, Massachusetts and surrounding towns come in all shapes and sizes. There are a plethora of 2 and 3 Unit condominiums, former personal\u00a0properties where the owner usually lived in one of the apartments, and rented out the other apartments to family or third parties. These “Mom and Pop” building are NOT the subject … Continue reading Massachusetts Condominiums Should have Websites–It outta be the Law<\/span>