Tag: Stephen Marcus

2013 June Butt Out? By Marie N. Auger

 In a movement to protect the populace from second-hand smoke, municipal  governments are coming up with increasingly-strict bans on smoking in public  places—even on streets, as evidenced in some California communities. Not surprisingly, …

2013 May Rules v. Laws By Marie N. Auger

 In buying into a condominium community and its lifestyle, the prospective owner  signs a contract, agreeing to accept and uphold the community’s rules and regulations—and essentially waiving certain rights.    In doing so, this buy…

2012 December Are We Stable Yet? By Pat Gale

 It’s still all about the economy. The foreclosure avalanche seems to have slowed in  New England, but community associations continue to fight a seemingly endless  wave of financial issues as 2012 ends and 2013 looms. For this year-end  e…

2012 October Getting Ahead of the Curve By Lisa Iannucci

 Board members and trustees are volunteers with many responsibilities. They  devote time to their association, act as a governing body for the condo and  have the powers to control what is permitted to take place and not take place.  It’s …

2012 September Help with Going Green By Maggie Puniewska

 With the green movement in full swing across the country, it is not surprising  that incorporating energy-saving efficient measures has trickled into  condominium development and management. Today, many buildings in New England  pride the…

2012 September Q&A: Renter's Rights By Stephen Marcus, Esq.

Q We currently have a renter that was sneaked in by the owner. What is the proper way of addressing this and what are our legal rights? Can there be fines made to the owner? How can the unscreened renter be removed? —Illegal Subl…

2012 August Mind the Gap By Ann Connery Frantz

 Too often, association boards—and condo residents—discover serious coverage gaps in their insurance policies in the face of a  claim. And often, the gap occurs when neither group wants to pay a high  deductible.    In recent years,…

2012 April Chemical Concerns By Marie N. Auger

Since the 1950s, American lawns have been “hooked” on petroleum-based and synthetic chemicals. A plethora of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers have been eagerly embraced by both homeowners and landscape professionals, w…

2012 April Q&A: Rules for Extra Tenant By Stephen Marcus, Esq.

Q I have lived in a unit for the past three years. I am planning on having my boyfriend move in with me in a few months. Are there any community or state rules or regulations that will prevent this from happening? —Settling In …

2012 February Following the Golden Rule By J.M. Wilson

Every condo association has its own house rules—rules and regulations (hopefully) based on common sense and aimed at protecting residents’ safety and quality of life without undue disruption or inconvenience. Most unit owners w…