Condominium and Cooperative Law in Pennsylvania

Co-ops and condo communities are forms of "common interest communities."

They are communities where each individual or family resident rents or owns an unit which is part of a larger building, containing other, similar, residential units. The residents are accountable responsible for the maintenance of the common areas of their living areas, such as gardens, walkways, lawns, and swimming pools. They usually meet this responsibility by paying a monthly fee to support this maintenance.

Just looking at the physical structure of a condominium or cooperative community, it would be nearly impossible to tell which is which.

There are no physical features distinct to either one, which can be used to distinguish them. Rather, the difference lies in the legal arrangement that governs the relationships between the residents and managers. In condominium communities, the residents own the units they live in, and collectively own the land and buildings in which they are located. In a cooperative community, the units are rented, and are owned by a single entity.

Laws and Regulations Concerning Common Interest Communities in Norwood, Pennsylvania

While there are a lot of Norwood, Pennsylvania laws that will affect the residents and owners of condominium and cooperative communities, there are few that are actually specific to such communities. Instead, they are mostly governed by laws of more general application, such as contract law, zoning laws, and landlord/tenant law.

Your day-to-day life in a common interest community will likelyy be impacted more by the rules set by the owner or manager of the property, rather than any local or state laws.

Because the land they occupy is usually 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 usually 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.

The enforceability of some of these rules may depend on Norwood, Pennsylvania's laws controlling relations between landlords and tenants.

Can a Norwood, Pennsylvania Attorney Help?

If you have problems with your landlord, your homeowners association, or a neighbor, a reputable Norwood, Pennsylvania real estate lawyer may prove invaluable.