Methuen Condo and Co-op Lawyers

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Condominium and Cooperative Law in Massachusetts

Cooperatives and condominiums are types of "common interest" communities.

These are communities in which each resident rents or owns a residential unit. The residential units are part of a larger building, or complex of buildings, which are owned by another entity, such as a corporation or association. The residents are responsible for the upkeep of common areas, such as lawns and walkways. Rather than personally tending to these things, residents typically pay a fee that covers these necessities.

Merely viewing one of these communities from the outside (or inside) will not let you know whether it's a cooperative or condominium community.

This is because there are no physical characteristics that can clearly distinguish one from the other. The basic difference lies in the legal ownership arrangement. In a condominium community, the units are actually owned by the residents. The residents also collectively own the common areas, holding joint title to it. In a cooperative community, the buildings and land which make up the houses are owned by a single entity, and the individual units are often rented rather than owned by the residents.

Laws and Regulations Concerning Common Interest Communities in Methuen, Massachusetts

Several Methuen, Massachusetts laws affect common-interest communities. However, almost all of these laws govern real estate more generally, and there are very few laws written specifically for common interest communities. Such generally-applicable laws include zoning regulations, contracts, and the relations between landlords and tenants.

The daily lives of residents, and what they are and aren't allowed to do in their residences, will be far more heavily impacted by rules and regulations that the homeowner's association, or the owner of the land, has imposed.

Because the land they occupy is typically private property, it is the owners of this property who make most of the rules that will affect your daily conduct. A responsible manager will typically make rules designed to balance your right to live as you please in your own residence, with the right your neighbors have to a clean, safe, and quiet living environment.

This power, however, has limits. There are some rules which landowners cannot impose. Most obviously, they can't bar people from renting or buying units based on their race, religion, or national origin in Methuen, Massachusetts. This conduct is illegal under state and federal law, and can result in severe civil penalties.

Can a Methuen, Massachusetts Attorney Help?

If you have a dispute with a neighbor, your landlord, or your homeowners' association, a knowledgeable Methuen, Massachusetts real estate attorney can be instrumental in obtaining a desired outcome.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Methuen

Methuen, Massachusetts is a city in Essex County. It has a population of approximately 45,000 people.

The city was founded in 1642, around the time when England was working very hard to colonize North America, particularly the region now known as New England.

Methuen is located about 30 miles away from Boston, making that city easily accessible for people who live in Methuen, but work in Boston, or who simply want to visit the city.

Methuen boasts a large historical district, which contains many important historical landmarks. The district was created in 1992 to preserve the "Searles Tenney Nevins Historic District" because it was viewed as one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in Massachusetts, and worthy of preservation. Visitors and residents alike are to visit many points of historical interest, such as the music hall, memorial library, and the Urias Hardy House.

Methuen has an active legal community, which is always ready to serve the legal needs of Methuen, Massachusetts residents. Methuen, Massachusetts lawyers can probably handle nearly any case that a resident of Methuen might have.

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