Who is legally responsible for 1) coordinating treating and 2) paying for treating bedbugs in a condominium unit? If one of the condo units is rented out to a tenant by the unit owner, does that change things? Once it spreads, what happens…
Q My condo association has a bylaw that limits the size and number of pets. About a year ago, a person moved in with a large puppy that has grown to be a very large dog. I reported it to the management and they did some investigating—then…
There are many different factors that potential condominium owners contemplate when looking to buy a unit. Aesthetics, price, and location are important, for sure. But perhaps the most critical factor of all is the safety of the building a…
One gated community in Sanford, Florida was struggling with security issues. In a one-year time period, from January 1, 2011 through February 26, 2012, police were called to The Retreat at Twin Lakes more than 400 times. Reports show that …
A billboard brags about a car with “all-wheel-drive for the winter months and a sunroof for the summer ones,” and New Englanders smile knowingly. Nevertheless, the fact is that Northeastern winters can be serious business, and for few more…
Hazardous materials can haunt any property. While lead paint is considered a potential problem only in structures built before 1978, contemporary projects can be dogged with the discovery of radon in the interior air or water. And brand-ne…
Notice of Violation and Fines Q We send violation notices and the owners just throw it in the trash. We would prefer to threaten fines rather than legal proceedings. Specifically, on issues such as leasing units without board approv…
With winter rapidly approaching and the memories of last winter’s onslaught of snowstorms still in mind, this is a good time to begin thinking about an association’s duties and obligations to maintain the common areas throughout these comi…
In an episode of the television classic, “Seinfeld,” George Costanza’s father (played by Jerry Stiller) invents “Festivus—for the rest of us” to mold all the holidays into one event. Attorney Frank Lombardi of the law firm of Goodman, Shap…
The life of a super is different every day, but it usually goes something like this: arrive at work each morning; check in with security for any possible situations that have come up during the night; review any outstanding work orders and…