Potential Condo Landlord Needs To Know When Unit Can Be Rented

V.A. from outside of Connecticut writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

I want to know the renter’s history for our condo for the past several years. How many units were rented each year and how many of them were hardship exemptions and illegal renters. I asked the Board and Property Management company for this information and they said they cannot provide it because of privacy. I feel like I have a right to know this information. Am I correct? I mainly need this information to estimate how long it will take me to be able to rent my unit (I am on waiting list right now). I also don’t need people names or the unit numbers. If I do have right for this information, what actions would you recommend me to take?

Mister Condo replies:

V.A., as a unit owner you do have the right to association records. In an association that maintains a maximum percentage of allowable rental units, that information can be vitally important to you as a potential landlord. I agree with the withholding of personal information of renters names and I can see no value in providing you with “hardship exemptions” and “illegal renters”. For instance, if the association has 100 units and limits the rental to 20%, you need to know if/when that number changes so that you can legally rent out your unit. If the association refuses to release that information to you, I would likely bring suit against them for release of the information. What about the other folks on the waiting list? How do they know when the wait is over? Depending on your state laws, you may have additional tools at your disposal. If you are uncertain how to proceed next, may I suggest the services of a local attorney who is experienced in this area of law? It seems a simple enough matter to me. You are a unit owner within the association, you have a right to know what’s going on. Good luck!