The Governing Documents

Your governing documents are usually provided during the closing of your sale.  Take a moment to review it, it's a wealth of information.  Want to paint your unit door, install a camera on your door frame, have 5 members on your board?  Your documents will guide you and provide the answer to all of these questions.  

Condominiums are created under the Condominium Act, this is a legal structure of how condos should operate.  Condominiums have three governing documents: a declaration the bylaws, and the rules and regulations.  

Declaration defines the common elements, the limited common elements and the units themselves; these are the three main parts of the property.  It also provides guidelines on the ability to sell and lease the condo, defines the allocation that each unit has in the common elements and may contain the floor plan of each unit.  

Bylaws establish the governing structure of the condo.  Among other things, these include the number of members needed for the board, requirements for board and association meetings, and powers of the board.  It will also list the rights and limitations of alterations and repairs for units and common elements, remedies in the event of unit-owner default and the unit owner's financial obligations.  

Rules and Regulations are writted by the board.  They're everyday, common-sense rules to ensure everyone is able to equally enjoy their living space.  Does your condo have a pet restriciton, breed or weight limitations, permissible hours for playing loud music and rules for using common elements such as the gym, deck, our lounge area?  These answers and more were writted by members of your community.  Paying your assessment fee late?  Your R&R may provide the charge of a late fee.  Want to rent your unit?  The R&R will have a moving packet that list what information is necessary and to whom it may be submitted, in order to avoid a fine.  

These documents will guide you during your home ownership.   While the Rules & Regulations are written by members of the community, the Declarations and Bylaws, while they can be changed, must go through a process of approval by unit owners and submitted to your local government before they become effective.