R.Y. from New York writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Rules governing in-season remodeling versus repairs.
Mister Condo replies:
R.Y., I appreciate a person of little words. I have to assume you are referring to “in-season” as the time of year when most residents are around. Ski resorts come to mind as do lake communities where the residents are more plentiful certain times of years. Unless the governing documents address the seasonality of when remodeling or repairs can be made, I would guess that any repairs or remodeling can be done when the homeowner is around and able to provide oversight for the project or any contractors they bring on property. Of course, if the work is being done when other unit owners are enjoying their seasonal property, unhappy neighbors are likely to be the result. My advice is to check the rules and regulations regarding remodeling and repairs. It is quite possible that the rules are silent other than to require that only licensed and insured contractors are used so as to protect the association. Additionally, there are certain remodeling and repairs that will require Board approval. If there are no rules on the time of year when these repairs can be made, and there is enough demand to have some rules, you can petition the Board to add rules about this type of work. Depending on how your governance documents are written, certain rules will require a vote of all of the homeowners. These rules can be challenging to enact but if enough people are having their living experiences disrupted because of repairs and remodeling that is happening during the “in season” time of year, getting rules in place to address the problem shouldn’t be that difficult to pass and enact. All the best!