Does our condo association have a case against the builder? They found out the roof was built against code and the cost to repair is upwards of $150,000. Q: In 2006, we purchased a condominium in Chicago on the third floor of a 3-story building. Over those years, we’ve experienced water issues with the roof [...]
Should you postpone condo board elections during COVID-19? This reader is hesitant to proceed with condo board meetings and elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Q: I live in a condominium building with around 100 units. We have seven board members and we are supposed to vote on some new board members this fall. Residents will [...]
Changing the percentage of ownership in a condo association. This reader says the value and square footage of certain units isn't accurate in the governing documents. Q: I have enjoyed your many articles in our local paper for some time. I am on the board of a condo association and it was brought to our [...]
Enforcing no smoking rules in condos. Condo boards can amend the rules and regulations to prohibit smoking, but how can they enforce the new rule? We continue to receive questions and comments about our recent columns on smoking (here and here) as well as the rules that condominiums and other associations are putting into place [...]
Coronavirus 2020: Will pools open this summer? Social distancing regulations could make it difficult for pools to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Q: Our 100-unit condominium has a small private locked outdoor pool that usually opens from Memorial Day to Labor Day. With COVID-19, what do we do this year? Should we open the [...]
Interpreting no smoking rules in condos. It’s up to the condo board to interpret and enforce rules and regulations about smoking for the association. Q: I live in a condo with four smokers living below me. They continually blow smoke out the windows and it rises and enters my unit. Our revised Rules and Regs [...]
How HOA fine schedules work. This reader wants to know why the condo association board fined homeowners different amounts for the same violation. Q: Can a condo association charge different fines for exactly the same infraction? Some of us broke the same rule in our association. We took matters into our own hands in making [...]
Can an HOA restrict smoking? This condo owner was told the association doesn’t have the authority to keep owners from smoking in their units. Q: Can a condo prohibit smoking in the building except for owners? At the time the rule was changed on the grounds that those owners cannot have the right to smoke [...]
Who is responsible for condo repairs? This reader wants to know why they have to pay for painting their unit after damage from association work. Q: Last year my condo association had a company replace the roof in many of our buildings. I live on the top floor of my building. When the new roof [...]
Can condo associations ban cannabis smoking in units? This reader wants to know how cannabis smoking can be prohibited if cigarette smoking isn’t. Q: I recently received a letter from my condo association about a proposed amendment to our condo declaration to ban cannabis smoking in our units. The letter states "The Condominium Act states [...]
