Can the Condo Board Change Due Date of Common Fees?

K.P. from New Haven County writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

Can the board change the due date of the common charges in the middle of the year? They were due by the 15th of month (stated on the coupon). Now, letter we got in the mail states due by the 10^th. Can they do that?

Mister Condo replies:

K.P., as a matter of practicality the Board can change the due date of common charges although I cannot imagine any reason why they would. However, adequate notice must be given to all unit owners and the Board may even need to amend the condominium documents to reflect such a change. Most documents specify what date the fees are due and what the penalties are for missing the date by a few days, if there is a grace period, and so on. Also, the Board must practice reasonable business judgment and notify unit owners of such a change in writing and provide reasonable notice. The coupon is a useful tool in collecting common fees and may need to be reprinted if the Board wishes to continue using them. Otherwise, if the existing coupons are incorrect, I would advise the Board to recall the coupons so as not to create confusion amongst well-intentioned residents like yourself who are used to paying on the 15^th and have coupon books printed by the association that state the 15^th is the due date.

The most important thing about common fees is that they are paid monthly by all unit owners. Whether it is the 1^st, the 10^th, the 15^th or whatever day of the month is somewhat irrelevant. However, the documents almost always spell out what the date is and the Board and unit owners need to abide by the documents. If the date needs to change, for whatever reason, there is a proper way to do it. From what you are telling me, it would appear that this Board has not done a good job of communicating to unit owners why the date was changed and why it was done when coupon books were already distributed. Clearly, this is causing confusion for you and, my guess, other unit owners.