G.D. from New York writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
My question is “Are we, as owners, required to give a copy of our lease agreement with a tenant and her Social Services information to the board?” It’s not a co-op. We own our unit and I feel her information is not their business. Am I right? Thank you.
Mister Condo replies:
G.D., I do not think that you are correct in this matter. Keep in mind that I am not an attorney nor am I an expert in New York community association law. For a legal opinion, kindly consult with a locally qualified attorney. As a general rule, the Board of any common interest community has a right and a need to know who is living in their buildings. There are generally rules on leasing that require a unit owner who is leasing their unit(s) to provide a copy of the lease with all parties named to the Board or managing agent so that there is a record of who does and doesn’t belong on the property. There are sometimes restrictions on the use of common amenities on leased units as well and the lease is the legal document that may allow a tenant to use things like a workout room or community pool or clubhouse. The lease may also restrict the owner of the unit from using these same amenities during the time that the lease is in effect. There are also insurance issues, emergency contact issues, and more that require copy of the lease to be in the Board or managing agent’s possession. There are also restrictions on short-term rentals or AirBnB type arrangements. Providing a copy of the lease also shows that you are not in violation of the covenants you agreed to when you purchased. Finally, there are many common interest communities that place a cap or limit on the number of units available for lease at any given time. By providing a copy of the lease, you are demonstrating that you are not in violation of these provisions as well. If you find that the Board or managing agent has used any of the information in the lease in an inappropriate manner, you may have recourse. Other than that, providing a copy of the lease is really in the best interest of you, your tenant, and the association. Good luck!