Condominium and Cooperative Law in Pennsylvania

Co-ops and condo communities are types 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 responsible responsible for the maintenance of the common areas of their living areas, such as gardens, walkways, lawns, and swimming pools. They typically meet this responsibility by paying a monthly fee to support this maintenance.

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

This is because there are no defining physical characteristics which are unique to one type of cooperative community, but not the other. The important differences aren't embodied in physical characteristics, but in the legal ownership arrangement governing the communities: in a condominium community, the residents own the units they live in. In a cooperative community, the units are rented.

Laws and Regulations Concerning Common Interest Communities in Royersford, Pennsylvania

There are several laws in Royersford, Pennsylvania that might be applicable to common interest communities. But most of these laws are not unique to common-interest communities. Rather, they usually concern zoning, land use, and contract law, which are applicable to most other types of real estate, as well.

Usually, the rules established by the owner of the property, or the entity tasked with managing it, are going to have much more of a day-to-day effect on your life than any state laws governing these types of communities.

The land that common interest communities occupy is typically private property. Therefore, the owners of the property are free to make certain rules governing what is and isn't allowed on it. A good manager or owner will typically make every effort to strike a balance between residents' freedom to do what they want in their homes, and the rights of their neighbors to a safe, clean, and reasonably quiet living space.

Some of these rules, however, may not be enforceable, if push came to shove. This would depend on the specific laws of Royersford, Pennsylvania which regulate landlords and tenants.

Can a Royersford, Pennsylvania Attorney Help?

If you are in a dispute with your homeowners' association, a neighbor, or your landlord in Royersford, Pennsylvania, a knowledgeable real estate lawyer may prove extremely helpful, if the dispute cannot be otherwise resolved.