Who may attend a condo board meeting?
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Who may attend a condo board meeting?
I own a condo and occupy it with my boyfriend of over 18 years. We sometimes attend board meetings, although I am not on the board. At last night’s meeting, it was stated that only unit owners may attend and I don’t know if this means owners as opposed to renters or if only the person whose name appears on the deed may attend. Only my name is on the deed. Does my boyfriend have a legal right to attend or does the board have a legal right to prevent him from attending? Lastly, if we were legally married, would he then have a legal right to attend?
Asked on September 17, 2010 under Real Estate Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Now you are talking about board meetings not association meetings, correct? Generally, the board can exclude members from attending a board meeting by holding an "executive session" and thereby keep the proceedings private. So you may have no right to attend wither unless that right is conferred in your documentation as an owner. But in the context of a "community association" meeting, meetings can not be private unless it is to meet with legal counsel regarding pending litigation, etc. Your boyfriend has no right to attend any meetings unless he is designated as your "agent" for those purposes. A Power of Attorney specifically drawn for that purpose would suffice but then why would you be attending as well? Your attorney can always attend with you. Good luck.
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