Leni Cummins discusses the needs of residential versus commercial condominium owners with CooperatorNews. In mixed-use condominiums, both residential and commercial unit owners typically serve on the board. Conflicts often arise over expense allocation and budgeting, as the original financial frameworks don’t always reflect current realities or legal changes. Residential owners tend to prioritize building improvements to avoid fines, while commercial owners may defer these costs and pass the fines to tenants through lease provisions. Legal compliance also adds complexity, since the entire building is held accountable for carbon emissions, rather than individual units, leading to disputes over who bears the cost of retrofits or fines if a group fails to comply. Boards are encouraged to proactively address these issues through formal resolutions or bylaw amendments to ensure fair cost distribution and legal compliance.

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