P.H. from Montcalm County, Michigan writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Under what conditions does a guest of a condo owner become a resident in that condo? Under what conditions does a guest of a condo owner become a resident in that condo? We require co-owners to fill out an information sheet that includes cow-owner’s name, address of condo, and names of people living in the condo. We now have someone who, when asked, says no one resides with him other than a guest. That guest has been there more than 30 days. Thank you.
Mister Condo replies:
P.H., unless your governing documents or state law dictates the definition of a guest, it may be at the owner’s discretion. This is a common problem at condominium associations. Typically, an owner or renter claims a “long-term guest” so they don’t have to reveal the pertinent information or disclose that they are actually collecting rent from their “guest”. This is a real problem because the association has no record of who is actually living on their grounds and who might be a potential liability for the association. The solution is to modify your by-laws and define how long any non-occupant can be on the grounds. You still have the challenge of enforcement but without any rules to enforce, I think you will find it almost impossible to distinguish a “guest” form an undocumented renter. All the best!