Monday, November 22, 2010

Important Information for Condo Unit Landlords

In this time of economic turmoil, more and more unit owners are leasing out their units when they have to move and are unable to sell. If you are an owner who leases your unit, you can make the leasing experience successful and positive for everyone by understanding your responsibilities. This will help preserve your property value specifically and maintain the association’s property value in general.

Your tenants may not be familiar with common-interest community living. Please take a few minutes to explain to them that living in a community association is very different from living in a rental apartment community. Specifically, your tenants, like all residents, are subject to the rules and regulations of the association, and it’s up to you to educate them and see that they comply. Your association normally will assist you in this area, but the responsibility lies with you. It is recommended that you provide your tenants with written copies of all policies and rules and advise them on the proper use of the association’s facilities. You can obtain copies of these and other useful documents from the Board or property manager.

It is also strongly recommend that you have a written lease agreement with your tenant. As a lessor (landlord) of a home in a community association, the lease you use must require tenants to comply with the association’s governing documents. Typically, in the event your tenant fails to comply with these documents, including the bylaws, or its rules and regulations, a representative of your association will first contact your tenants in an attempt to remedy the problem.

If your tenant does not correct the violation, the association will then contact you and expect you to remedy the violation using the recourse available to you through your lease agreement. If you are unable to correct the violation, the association may pursue appropriate legal action against the tenant, and possibly against you.

It is important that you provide the Board and property manager with the names and contact information of your tenants. This information is necessary if the Board or management company needs to contact your tenant for any reason and of course in case of emergency.

Follow these simple steps and you, the tenants and the association will all have a positive community association living experience:

• Provide your tenants with copies of association rules.

• Educate tenants about the need to follow association rules, and see that they comply.

• Advise tenants on the proper use of association facilities.

• Use a written lease agreement.

• Make sure your lease requires tenants to comply with all association governing documents.

• Provide the association with contact information for your tenants.

Renters: If you don’t have a copy of the association rules or you’d like more information about the association, please contact a board member or manager.

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