When you purchase a condo, one of the reasons you do so is for the amenities that come along with it. There may be certain services that are provided, such as lawn care or trash pickup. You may also be interested in using common areas, such as a swimming pool, a tennis court or a lounge.
As a general rule, as long as you are part of the condo association, you are allowed to use these areas. But there are some situations in which condo owners can be banned from common elements and facilities by the condo association.
Falling behind on financial obligations
Often, this is done if someone has not paid money that is due to the association. For instance, there are certain dues that must be paid every month, and an owner who falls behind by more than 90 days could be banned from common areas.
Additionally, if the owner is already late on payments, they may have accrued certain fees on top of what is already owed. If they fall behind in paying these necessary fees, as laid out in the paperwork they signed when they purchased the condo, that could also affect their access to common areas.
Furthermore, condo owners may owe certain financial fines. If the owner violates some of the regulations, they could be fined for misuse of the property. If the condo bans pets, but a condo owner tries to sneak a pet into their unit, for instance, they could be fined by the condo association. Once again, failing to pay this financial obligation can reduce their access to areas they would otherwise be allowed to use.
Resolving a conflict
Naturally, access to these amenities, along with the validity of fines and fees, can lead to certain disputes. Those involved need to know exactly what legal options they have.
