Few things cause more friction in a Boston condo association than a repair nobody's sure who owns. A leak, a cracked window, a failing heating line — is it the unit owner's problem or the association's? Getting it wrong costs money and goodwill. Here's the framework.
Massachusetts condominiums are governed by M.G.L. c. 183A, but the day-to-day answer lives in your association's master deed and bylaws. As a starting point:
The single most important sentence in this article: your master deed controls. It can move the line either way — some deeds make owners responsible for their own windows and doors; others keep those common. Read the document before you assign a bill.
Most disputes cluster around a few spots: windows and doors, decks and balconies, in-unit heating/AC that ties into a shared system, and — the big one — water leaks between units. For leaks, the question is usually where did it originate: a common pipe (association) or a unit fixture (owner). Negligence can shift the cost even when the component is common.
That last point is where a lot of Boston associations land: rather than juggling separate vendors and arguing about the line, they use one licensed general contractor for association maintenance that can diagnose the source, handle the common-area work, and coordinate cleanly with owners.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Responsibility in any specific situation depends on your association's master deed and bylaws and the facts of the case — consult your association's attorney for a binding answer.
In general, the unit owner is responsible for what's inside their unit and the association is responsible for the common areas and the building's structure and systems. The exact line is set by your condo's master deed and bylaws, which control over any general rule.
It depends on the source. If the leak originates in a common element (a shared pipe or the building envelope) it's typically the association's responsibility; if it originates inside a unit (a unit fixture or appliance) it's usually the owner's. The master deed and, sometimes, negligence determine who ultimately pays.
Yes. Massachusetts condos are governed by M.G.L. c. 183A, but the specific allocation of maintenance responsibility is set by each association's master deed and bylaws. Always check those documents first.
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