Year: 2018

By: Barbara G. Hager In Connecticut, common interest communities, especially cooperatives and condominiums, often have very limited space allocated to parking.  Many complexes were built in the early 1980’s and it seems they did not plan for each unit to have two,...

By: Barbara G. Hager ​So, it’s Christmas and I want to put up decorations at my townhouse (condo).  Can I put a wreath on my front door?  Can I put a balloon Santa in front of my unit?  Can I string lights on my deck railing?  Or did I read somewhere that I can only...

By: Ronald J. Barba The scenario is all too frequent when a board elects one of its members to meet contractors ahead of a major project.  Invariably, the board member with the most time on their hands is chosen to contact the contractors and to meet them on site to...

By: Kristie Leff ​With the cold temperatures now upon us, it is important that associations make sure that non-occupied units are property winterized so that water pipes do not freeze.  The reason this is important is because a pipe freeze can cause water damage to...

By: Barbara G. Hager ​​ When it comes to satellite dishes and condominium associations, “going with your gut” may get you into legal trouble! If you have lived in your common interest community since the early 1980’s you probably remember the time when the Association...

By: Barbara G. Hager ​ We at Bender, Anderson and Barba P.C. hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thinking today especially about all the board members of our client associations, who work very hard!  Thank you for all you do in service to your associations! ...

By: Kristie Leff ​As social acceptance of smoking cigarette smoking changes, smoking in condos is becoming a hot-button issue.  Smoking is not a constitutionally protected right, and more people are becoming aware of the health effects of second-hand smoke.  As a...

By: Kristie Leff One of the most important functions of condominium boards is the assessment and collection of common charges.  Without a properly funded budget the association will not be able to pay its expense, maintain the property, pay insurance premiums, or fund...

​Every Association has dealt with the complaints.  One (or more) unit owner who refuses to clean up after their dog.  It seems like such an easy thing for a unit owner to do, but for whatever reason, certain unit owners don’t find it necessary to bag the waste and...

By: Barbara G. Hager and Kristie Leff Under the Common Interest Ownership Act associations have the right to evict problematic tenants who violate the Declaration, Bylaws, Rules or Regulations of the association.  Associations can evict tenants even though the...