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player ready...Q: I have severe hand deformities from a medical condition and have very limited use of, and dexterity in, my hands. I have asked the other unit owners in my small condominium association if they would mind if I switched the lock on the front door from a key lock to a keyless entry lock and even offered to pay for it. The president of the board responded he would take it up at the next board meeting, but no meeting has been scheduled and I am concerned they are not taking my request seriously. Do I have any rights here?
A: Federal laws are applicable to such situations regarding people with disabilities requesting a reasonable accommodation to modify existing premises.
The Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act requires an accommodation for people with disabilities if the requested accommodation is reasonable, necessary and affords a disabled individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing. In fact, Section 100.203 of the Code of Federal Regulations expressly provides that a disabled person is entitled to a reasonable accommodation to modify existing premises under such circumstances; however, the cost of the modification must be paid for by the unit owner.
It is unlawful for the board to not allow unit owners with disabilities to modify the premises at their cost in such situations. A resident who has a disability should request in writing to the board the reasonable accommodation to make a record of the request and demand an answer in a reasonable period of time.
Q: Recently, in my condominium association, a notice of meeting for a board meeting was delivered to unit owners with a single agenda item. However, at that meeting, in addition to addressing the single agenda item, the board conducted other business by unexpectedly repealing some rules. Is a vote on an unannounced and unlisted agenda item allowed?
A: While a notice of meeting may contain a list of agenda items, a condominium board is entitled to conduct any business it chooses at a properly called board meeting. In fact, many meeting agendas include a category under new business to discuss anything a board member wishes to discuss.
Thus, any business may be discussed, and voted on, at a properly noticed board meeting.
The repeal of the rule and regulation is within the authority of the board to do at any properly called board meeting. However, an addition or revision to the rules would require the board to send out a draft copy of any new or revised rule with at least 10 and not more than 30 days’ notice, and give the unit owners an opportunity speak about the new or revised rules, before the board may adopt or revise such rules.
Industry seminar. From time to time, various condominium and community association organizations host yearly trade shows and seminars that are open to industry professionals and the public. The annual Condo Lifestyles State of the Industry seminar and luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
Seminar sessions will explore a variety of topics, including legal and case law updates, navigating Palm II, energy use benchmarking, finding quality managers and board members, and communication and meeting strategies.
For more information, call 630-202-3006.