Where Can I Learn About Condo Laws in Connecticut?

L.S. from New Haven County, Connecticut writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

I am a second-year Board member at my condo. I keep hearing about new laws and changes to laws that have an impact on the relationship between the Board and the unit owners. As far as I know, my fellow Board members and I are doing a good job running the place but I am concerned that we don’t have all of the information we need to make sure we are in compliance with state law. Is there a central place where all of this legal information is available?

Mister Condo replies:

L.S., thank you for your service and thank you for your question. Volunteering to serve on your Board is a noble venture and I wish you and your fellow Board members continued success. There have been several changes and additions to laws that effect Common Interest communities in Connecticut over the past few years. First and foremost is the Common Interest Ownership Act (often referred to as CIOA). It expanded unit owner’s access to information and records of the association among other things. This past year, new laws were enacted that cover a wide range of topics such as required community association manager licensing, priority liens on units that are delinquent in common fee payments, budget ratification procedures and more. Keeping up with these laws can be tricky and even well-meaning Boards such as yours can find themselves on the wrong side of the law if they don’t keep current on these matters.

On Thursday, October 17^th, the Connecticut Chapter of CAI (CAI-CT) will be holding a legislative symposium at Oronoque Village in Stratford from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. to address this very issue. While the topics covered are too many to list here, it is fair to say that this one afternoon will cover you and your Board from soup to nuts on legislative issues facing today’s condominium volunteer leaders. You can read much more about the event here as well as register – http://www.caict.org/events/event_list.asp?show=&group=&start=7%2F17%2F2014&end=&view=&cid=12105.

I can’t recommend this event highly enough as this one day investment can save your Board from a years’ worth of legal troubles. I know I’ll be there and I hope you will too. All the best!