Published by KeyLeadsRE
Massachusetts Luxury Condo Document Checklist
Organize recorded documents, association finances, insurance, missing information, and questions for the professionals reviewing a condo.
Published
Match the unit to its recorded documents
Chapter 183A, Section 8 requires a recorded master deed describing the units, common areas, proportional interests, use restrictions, and amendment process, with plans identifying the units. As of 2026-09-05.
- Match the unit deed to the master deed, plans, percentage interest, and recorded amendments. Ask counsel to resolve conflicting descriptions before relying on them.
- Locate the current trust or bylaws and rules. Identify unit boundaries, maintenance duties, parking and storage rights, and restrictions on use, rentals, pets, or alterations.
- Ask counsel whether a right of first refusal applies and whether a waiver or other closing document is needed; do not assume every association uses the same process.
Request records and track unanswered questions
Section 10(c) lists governing documents, financial records, contracts, current insurance policies, and meeting minutes to the extent kept. Its inspection provision covers unit owners and recorded first-mortgage holders; it is not a blanket inspection right for prospective buyers. As of 2026-09-05.
- Coordinate requests through the seller, their representative, or counsel and the association's process. Keep a log: document/version, date requested, date received, missing pages, question, and reviewer.
- Review the current budget, reserves, financial statements, assessments, available minutes, and planned work together. Ask who bears pending costs and when they may become due.
- Ask insurance, lending, legal, and inspection professionals to evaluate coverage and deductibles, financing conditions, obligations, and building condition within their respective roles.
- Missing documents are unresolved questions, not evidence of no problems. Record a follow-up owner and deadline; agree with counsel how open issues affect your decision and any contractual deadlines.