Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

monthly inspection of rented condo by assn

Every month the condo assn. has ''water inspections'' and requires all tenants in our building to be home or provide keys so they can check all rooms and closets for water damage, washers, or driers. They say they will fine owners if access is not provided on the day THEY choose- they will not accept appt--name removed--you must stay home until inspector shows up and completes inspection-and $400 will be charged if washer or drier is found (whether or not it is hooked up)and they will remove any appliances found. There are 11 buildings on the property, and this is the only one that has monthly inspections. Can they really go thru all of our homes, including closet? They will not give anyone copies of condo assn rules, and when asked why we couldnt have driers we were told it was against state law,(fire hazard) but the fire dept says there is no such law. We all feel we are being harrassed.There is nothing in our leases mentioning these appliances.Rule applies only to renters,not owners. Its annoying, time consuming, and degrading. To my knowledge no washer has ever been found in the building, they still inspect over and over. Are we really required to take the day off of work to let them in? Isn't this harrasment?


Asked on 7/21/04, 12:50 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: monthly inspection of rented condo by assn

You should have received a copy of ANY AND ALL CONDO ASSOC. BYLAWS AND RULES AND REGS.when you rented. Take copies of your lease/rental agreement and anything else in writing that the condo assoc. and your landlord has provided to you to a lawyer to challenge their right to enforce rules about which you were not given prior notice.

Read more
Answered on 7/24/04, 11:24 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Massachusetts