AB781: Bill Text

Existing condominiums (condominiums established before the effective date of the bill) must, within 18 months after the bill's effective date, or within 18 months after the expiration of declarant control, whichever is later, establish a statutory reserve account unless, with the written consent of at least two-thirds of the unit votes, the association elects not to establish an account.

More generally, an association may at any time elect to establish a statutory reserve account, with the written consent of a majority of the unit votes, or to terminate a statutory reserve account, with the written consent of at least two-thirds of the unit votes.

Factors that a declarant or association is to consider in determining the amount to be assessed unit owners for the statutory reserve account include: funds currently in the account; the estimated cost of repairing or replacing common elements, other than routine maintenance; the estimated remaining useful life of common elements; the approximate proportion of the estimated cost of repairing or replacing common elements that will be covered by the account and the approximate proportion that will be funded by other means; and any other factor considered relevant. In the case of a conversion condominium, the declarant must also consider the required report of an independent architect or engineer.

Funds in a statutory reserve account may be invested in any investment in which local governments are generally authorized to invest by statute.

Funds in a statutory reserve account may be used only for the repair and replacement of common elements, other than routine maintenance, unless there is written consent of at least two-thirds of the unit votes to use the funds for normal repair or maintenance, customary services or other operational costs in excess of amounts budgeted. If used for the latter purposes, the funds must be replaced within 3 years from the date of withdrawal from the account.

A "statutory reserve account statement" must be executed when a statutory reserve account is established or an election is made not to have or to terminate a statutory reserve account. If an election not to establish, or to terminate, a statutory reserve account is made, the statement must indicate how it is anticipated that future expenditures for repairs and replacements of common elements will be funded. The statement must be recorded with the register of deeds.

Finally, a declarant, unit owner, association, or director, officer, manager or employee of an association is not liable in connection with the establishment or termination, or decision not to establish or terminate, a statutory reserve account or for any deficiencies in a statutory reserve account that relate to the determination of amounts to be assessed for reserve funds.

AB781, s. 34 Section 34 . 703.165 (title) and (1) of the statutes are created to read:

AB781,28,3 703.165 (title) Lien for unpaid common expenses, unpaid damages, and unpaid penalties.

AB781,28,7 (1) Definition. In this section, "assessments" means regular and special assessments for common expenses and charges, fines, or assessments against specific units or unit owners for damages to the condominium or for penalties for violations of the declaration, bylaws, or association rules.

Note: Creates a title for new s. 703.165 and a definition of assessment for use throughout the section. The definition expands the scope of the lien provisions of current s. 703.16 (3) to (9) (renumbered s. 703.165 (2) to (8) by Sec. 31 of the bill). Currently, those lien provisions apply to failure to pay assessments for common expenses. The new definition, in combination with the treatment of s. 703.16 (3) to (9) by Sec. 31 of the bill, expands the coverage of the lien provisions to include failure to pay charges, fines, or assessments for damages to the condominium and for violations of the declaration, bylaws, or association rules.

AB781, s. 35 Section 35 . 703.19 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB781,29,6 703.19 (8) Preservation of the right of appeal. The owner of each unit taken shall have the individual right of may appeal of the necessity of taking and of the condemnation award made for the taking. An association shall have the right of A unit owner may appeal of the necessity of taking of the common elements and the right of appeal of, and the condemnation award made for the taking, of the owner's interest in the common elements. An appeal by an association shall be binding upon the individual unit owners for the necessity of taking or the condemnation award made for the taking of the common elements. The unit owners having an interest in the ownership of limited common elements may individually or as a group appeal the necessity of taking or the condemnation award made for the taking of the limited common elements.

Note: Repeals the right of an association to appeal the necessity of taking, and the condemnation award made for the taking, of the common elements and the binding effect of the appeal upon individual unit owners. The revision reflects the policy judgment that individual unit owners should have the right of appeal. See also s. 703.195, created by Sec. 36 of the bill, below, for a related provision.

AB781, s. 36 Section 36 . 703.195 of the statutes is created to read:

AB781,29,9 703.195 Acquisition of common elements by condemnors. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB781,29,11 (a) "Acquire" means to obtain title to real property by purchase or condemnation.

AB781,29,13 (b) "Common elements" means all of a condominium except its units and any limited common elements.

AB781,29,15 (c) "Condemnor" means a person specified in s. 32.01 (1) who has the authority to condemn property under ch. 32.

AB781,29,19 (2) Applicability. This section applies to the acquisition by a condemnor of a portion of the common elements of a condominium that is created 6 months or more after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date]. This section is in addition to any applicable provision in ch. 32.

AB781,30,9 (3) Notice to unit owners and association. A condemnor who seeks to acquire a portion of the common elements of a condominium and who wishes to negotiate with the association instead of with each unit owner shall notify the association and each unit owner of the proposed acquisition, in writing, at least 30 days before delivery of the appraisal required under s. 32.05 (2) (b) or 32.06 (2) (b). The notice to the unit owners shall be sent by certified mail, requesting a return receipt signed by the addressee only. Notice is deemed complete on the date the addressee acknowledges receipt. The notice required under this subsection is in addition to any notice required under s. 32.05 or 32.06 and shall be provided simultaneously with the pamphlets that are prepared under s. 32.26 (6) and provided under ss. 32.05 (2a) and 32.06 (2a). The condemnor is responsible for the expense of sending the notice under this subsection.

AB781,30,11 (4) Content of notice to unit owners. The notice to the unit owners required under sub. (3) shall, at a minimum, contain all of the following:

AB781,30,12 (a) The name and address of the condemnor.

AB781,30,13 (b) The legal description of the property to be acquired.

AB781,30,15 (c) The public purpose for which the property is being acquired and a statement that the condemnor in good faith intends to use the property for that purpose.

AB781,30,17 (d) The following statement in substantially identical language, in at least 12-point bold type, if printed, or in capital letters, if typewritten:

AB781,30,25 THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY SECTION 703.195 OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES. SECTION 703.195 OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES PROVIDES THAT THE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF WHICH YOU ARE A MEMBER MUST ACT AS YOUR AGENT TO CONVEY YOUR INTEREST IN THE AFFECTED PORTION OF THE CONDOMINIUM'S COMMON ELEMENTS IF YOU WISH. HOWEVER, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE .... (NAME OF ACQUIRING AGENCY) ON YOUR OWN AND MAY REFUSE TO BE REPRESENTED BY THE ASSOCIATION.

AB781,31,10 IN ORDER FOR YOU TO PROCEED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE .... (NAME OF ACQUIRING AGENCY) ON YOUR OWN, YOU MUST WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AT THE INDICATED LOCATION AND DEPOSIT IT IN THE UNITED STATES MAIL. .... (NAME OF ACQUIRING AGENCY) HAS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE A POSTAGE PRE-PAID, ADDRESSED ENVELOPE FOR THIS PURPOSE. FAILURE TO SIGN AND RETURN THIS NOTICE MEANS THAT YOU CONSENT TO THE ASSOCIATION ACTING AS YOUR AGENT TO NEGOTIATE AND CONVEY YOUR INTEREST IN THE AFFECTED PORTION OF THE CONDOMINIUM'S COMMON ELEMENTS.

AB781,31,20 IF THE ASSOCIATION ACTS AS YOUR AGENT, YOU WILL BE LEGALLY BOUND BY ANY DECISION OF THE ASSOCIATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE OF YOUR INTEREST IN THE AFFECTED PORTION OF THE CONDOMINIUM'S COMMON ELEMENTS. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO NEGOTIATE ON YOUR OWN OR TO ALLOW THE ASSOCIATION OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY TO NEGOTIATE ON YOUR BEHALF, YOU WILL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS TO CHALLENGE THE RIGHT OF CONDEMNATION, THE NECESSITY OF CONDEMNATION, OR ANY AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION AVAILABLE TO YOU UNDER CHAPTER 32 OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES.

AB781,31,23 (e) A prominent place for the unit owner to sign his or her name to indicate the unit owner's objection to the association acting as the agent for the unit owner in the conveyance of the common elements at issue.

AB781,32,6 (5) Method of objecting by unit owner. A unit owner who objects to the association acting as the agent for the owner shall indicate the objection as provided on the form under sub. (4) (e) and send the form, within 30 days after the notice under sub. (3) is received, to the condemnor by U.S. mail to the address indicated on the notice. The objection is made when the completed form is mailed to the condemnor. Before initiating negotiations with the unit owner under s. 32.05 (2a) or 32.06 (2a), the condemnor shall provide the association and those unit owners who have objected a written list of all of the unit owners who have objected.

AB781,32,13 (6) No objection by unit owner; association as agent. If a unit owner does not timely object under sub. (5), the unit owner is deemed to have consented to the association acting as the unit owner's agent in the conveyance of the common elements at issue and the association shall act as the agent for the unit owner in the conveyance to the condemnor of the unit owner's interest in the common elements at issue. Failure of the unit owner to object within the required time does not affect any other rights of the unit owner under ch. 32.

AB781,32,16 (7) Method of conveyance. The association shall execute any conveyance under this section as the agent for each of the unit owners who did not timely object under sub. (5). Those unit owners shall be identified, by name, on the conveyance.

AB781,32,19 (8) Objection by unit owner; unit owner retains rights. A unit owner who timely objects under sub. (5) retains all of his or her rights under ch. 32 with regard to the acquisition of the common elements at issue and to unit ownership.

Note: Provides a procedure for a condemnor who wishes to negotiate with the association instead of with each unit owner for the acquisition of a portion of the common elements (excluding limited common elements) for a public project. The procedure is based on a Florida statute. [West's F.S.A. s. 73.073 (2001 Supplement).] "Acquisition" refers to obtaining title to real property by purchase or condemnation.

In general terms, a condemnor who seeks to acquire a portion of the common elements is required to notify the association and each unit owner. If a unit owner fails to object to the association representing the unit owner in the property acquisition within 30 days after receiving the notice, the owner is deemed to have agreed to that representation in any subsequent proceeding relating to the acquisition of the common elements at issue.

A unit owner who timely objects to representation by the association in the acquisition retains all of his or her rights with regard to the acquisition and all other rights pertaining to unit ownership.

The optional procedure may be used only to acquire a portion of the common elements of a condominium that is created 6 months or more after the effective date of the bill.

AB781, s. 37 Section 37. 703.20 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

AB781,33,10 703.20 (3) Declarant responsibilities for records. During the period of declarant control under s. 703.15 (2) (c), the declarant is responsible for creating and maintaining the financial and operational records of the association and shall turn the records over to the directors elected under s. 703.15 (2) (f). During the period of declarant control under s. 703.15 (2) (c) and for one year thereafter, upon written request to the association by the lesser of 3 unit owners or the owners of 10% of the units, not including units owned by the declarant, the association shall arrange for an independent audit of its financial records, but no request may be made for an audit within 24 months after the completion of a previous audit.

Note: Requires the creation and maintenance of, and provides means of access to, financial and operational records of the association during the period of declarant control. The declarant is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the records during the period of declarant control and must turn the records over to the board of directors elected after the period of declarant control expires.

Also, during the period of declarant control and one year thereafter, requires the association to arrange for an independent audit of the association's financial records if requested by the lesser of 3 unit owners or the owners of 10% of the units (not including units owned by the declarant). A limit is provided on the frequency of requesting an audit.

AB781, s. 38 Section 38. 703.24 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB781,33,14 703.24 Remedies for violations by unit owner or tenant of a unit owner. (1) Definition. In this section, "violation" means failure to comply with this chapter or the declaration, bylaws, or association rules.

AB781,34,2 (2) Liability for unit owner violation. A unit owner who commits a violation is liable for any charges, fines, or assessments imposed by the association pursuant to the bylaws or association rules as a result of the violation and may be subject to a temporary or permanent injunction.

AB781,34,6 (3) Liability for violation by tenant. (a) If a tenant of a unit commits a violation that results in a charge, fine, or assessment imposed by the association pursuant to the bylaws or association rules, the tenant is liable for the charge, fine, or assessment.

AB781,34,13 (b) If the association complies with the notice requirement of sub. (4), the owner of the unit occupied by the tenant when the violation occurred is liable for any charges, fines, or assessments imposed by the association for which the tenant is liable under par. (a) that are not paid by the tenant within 30 days after receiving the notice under sub. (4). This paragraph does not affect the liability of the tenant to the unit owner for any charges, fines, or assessments paid by the unit owner under this paragraph.

AB781,34,18 (4) Notice requirement for violation by tenant. If an association imposes a charge, fine, or assessment as a result of a violation by a tenant of a unit in the condominium, the association shall give notice to the tenant by any method under s. 704.21 (1) (a) to (e) and to the owner of the unit occupied by the tenant by any method under s. 704.21 (2) (a) to (d). The notice shall include all of the following:

AB781,34,19 (a) The amount of charges, fines, or assessments for which the tenant is liable.

AB781,34,23 (b) Notice that if the tenant fails to pay the association the amount for which the tenant is liable within 30 days after the tenant receives the notice, the owner is liable to the association for the amount unpaid by the tenant although the tenant may be liable to the unit owner for any amounts the unit owner pays.

AB781,34,25 (5) Other liability not affected. This section does not otherwise affect the liability of a unit owner or tenant who commits a violation.

Note: 1. Repeals and recreates s. 703.24, relating to liability of a unit owner for damages or injunctive relief caused by the failure of the unit owner to comply with ch. 703, the declaration, or bylaws. Current s. 703.24 provides as follows:

"If any unit owner fails to comply with this chapter, the declaration or bylaws, the unit owner may be sued for damages caused by the failure or for injunctive relief, or both, by the association or by any other unit owner.".

2. Subsection (2) revises current s. 703.24. It makes a unit owner who fails to comply with ch. 703, the declaration, the bylaws, or the association rules liable for any resulting charges, fines or assessments imposed pursuant to association bylaws or rules. Deletion of the current reference to suing a unit owner for damages for failure to comply is not intended to change the liability of a unit owner to the association or any other unit owner for damages caused by failure to comply with ch. 703, the declaration, bylaws, or rules. In this regard, see sub. (5).

3. Subsections (3) and (4) are new. The provisions make a tenant who commits a violation liable for any charges, fines, or assessments imposed by the association for the violation. Subsection (3) (b) provides that if the association complies with the notice requirement of sub. (4), the owner of the unit occupied by the tenant when the violation occurred is liable for any association charges, fines, or assessments for which the tenant is liable that remain unpaid 30 days after the tenant received notice. Double recovery by an association of any charges, fines, or assessments is not intended. Subsection (4) sets forth the notice requirement for holding the unit owner liable for a tenant's violation if the tenant does not pay the charges, fines, or assessments within the specified time.

See, also, Secs. 31 and 34, which expand the lien provisions of current s. 703.16 (3) to (9) (renumbered s. 703.165) to also include, among other things, unpaid assessments for penalties for violations of the declaration, bylaws, or association rules.

AB781, s. 39 Section 39. 703.25 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

AB781,35,3 703.25 (4) An action to abate a nuisance may be brought against an association as provided under s. 823.015.

Note: For convenience, cross-references the provision created by the bill in ch. 823. See Sec. 68 of the bill.

AB781, s. 40 Section 40. 703.255 of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Repeals the current provision that deals with uncompleted units (other than those included in an expanding condominium under s. 703.26, stats.). Under that provision, if a declarant fails to complete any unit described in the declaration within 5 years after recording the declaration, the declarant must obtain the agreement of at least 75% of the unit owners permitting completion of the units within 5 years of the date of the agreement. If the agreement is not obtained, the declarant loses the uncompleted units (the declarant must remove the units from the declaration and adjust percentage interests and votes accordingly).

AB781, s. 41 Section 41. 703.265 of the statutes is created to read:

AB781,36,4 703.265 Addendum to plat to reflect changes in building codes or zoning ordinances. (1) If the revision or adoption of a building code or zoning ordinance prevents or substantially affects the construction of a unit or common elements as platted, the declarant may reasonably modify the condominium plat, by addendum, to the extent necessary to comply with the code or ordinance in order to construct the unit or common elements.

AB781,36,9 (2) If the revision or adoption of a building code or zoning ordinance prevents or substantially affects the reconstruction of a unit or common element as platted, the declarant, unit owner, or association, as appropriate, may reasonably modify the condominium plat, by addendum, to the extent necessary to comply with the code or ordinance in order to reconstruct the unit or common elements.

AB781,36,11 (3) An addendum made under this section shall be recorded as provided under s. 703.095.

Note: Allows for the amendment of a condominium plat if the revision or adoption of a building code or zoning ordinance prevents or substantially affects the construction or reconstruction of a unit or common elements (including limited common elements) as platted. If such a revision or adoption of a building code or zoning ordinance occurs, the declarant, unit owner, or association, as appropriate, may reasonably modify the condominium plat to the extent necessary to comply with the code or ordinance in order to construct or reconstruct the unit or common elements. An amendment under this section is not subject to s. 703.11 (5); see Sec. 17 of the bill.

AB781, s. 42 Section 42. 703.27 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB781,37,3 703.27 Zoning and building regulations. (1) A zoning or other land use ordinance or regulations may not prohibit the condominium form of ownership or impose any requirements upon a condominium which that it would not impose upon a physically identical if the development were under a different form of ownership. No provision of a state or local building code may be applied differently to a building in a condominium than it would be applied to a if the building of similar structure or occupancy were under a different form of ownership unless the different application is expressly permitted in that provision and the different application is reasonably related to the nature of condominium ownership. No subdivision ordinance may apply to any condominium unless the ordinance is, by its express terms, applicable to condominiums and the application is reasonably related to the nature of condominium ownership.

AB781,37,9 (2) No county, city, or other jurisdiction may enact any law, ordinance, or regulation which that would impose a greater burden or restriction on a condominium that is not imposed on all other property of similar character not subjected to a condominium declaration or provide a lower level of services to a condominium than would be imposed or provided if the condominium were under a different form of ownership.

Note: 1. Clarifies, with editorial changes, the prohibition on imposing requirements under zoning or other land use ordinances or regulations that discriminate against the condominium form of ownership.

2. Clarifies the prohibition on applying a provision of a state or local building code differently to a building in a condominium than it would be applied if the building were under a different form of ownership, unless the different application is expressly permitted by the building code. Further clarifies that if the different application is expressly permitted, it must be reasonably related to the nature of condominium ownership. Similarly, clarifies that no subdivision ordinance may apply to a condominium unless, as currently required, the ordinance is expressly applicable to condominiums and, as added by the bill, its application is reasonably related to the nature of condominium ownership.

3. Clarifies the prohibition against enactment of any law, ordinance or regulation that would impose a burden or restriction on a condominium that is not imposed on all other property of similar character not subjected to a condominium declaration to specify that the law, ordinance or regulation may not impose a "greater" burden or restriction and, additionally, may not provide a lower level of service to a condominium than would be imposed or provided if the condominium were under a different form of ownership.

AB781, s. 43 Section 43. 703.275 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB781,38,4 703.275 (1) Agreement; legal effect. Any 2 or more condominiums, including 2 or more small condominiums or any combination of small condominiums and other condominiums, by agreement of the unit owners as provided in this section, may be merged or consolidated into a single condominium. Unless the agreement otherwise provides, the condominium resulting from a merger or consolidation is, for all purposes, the legal successor of all of the preexisting condominiums and the operations and activities of all associations of the preexisting condominiums shall be merged or consolidated into a single association which shall hold all powers, rights, obligations, assets and liabilities of the preexisting associations. The resultant condominium must bear the name of one of the preexisting condominiums.

Note: Authorizes 2 or more small condominiums, or any combination of small condominiums and other condominiums, to merge, as provided under the current merger provision--s. 703.275, stats.

AB781, s. 44 Section 44. 703.275 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 703.275 (2) (bc).

AB781, s. 45 Section 45 . 703.275 (2) (ac) of the statutes is created to read:

AB781,38,9 703.275 (2) (ac) In this subsection, "allocated interests" means the undivided percentage interest in the common elements, the liability for common expenses, and the number of votes at meetings of the association appurtenant to each unit.

Note: Relocates the defined term from the general definition section of ch. 703 (s. 703.02) to s. 703.275, the only provision within the chapter that uses the defined term.

AB781, s. 46 Section 46. 703.315 of the statutes is created to read:

AB781,38,12 703.315 Lease or rental agreements for residential units. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB781,38,15 (a) "Condominium rental agreement" means an agreement, whether oral or written, for the rental or lease of a residential condominium unit by the same tenant for a period of more than one month.

AB781,38,16 (b) "Tenant" means any of the following:

AB781,38,18 1. A person occupying or entitled to present or future occupancy of a residential condominium unit under a condominium rental agreement.

AB781,38,20 2. A periodic tenant, as defined in s. 704.01 (2), of a residential condominium unit that pays rent on a month-to-month or greater recurring interval of time.

AB781,38,22 (c) "Unit owner" means the owner of a unit that is rented or leased under a condominium rental agreement or by a periodic tenant.

AB781,39,7 (2) Agreement for compliance. Entering into a condominium rental agreement constitutes an agreement by the tenant, as a condition of the condominium rental agreement, to comply with this chapter, the rules and bylaws of the association, and the provisions of the declaration. Entitlement to occupancy of a unit as a periodic tenant, as described in sub. (1) (b) 2., constitutes an agreement by the periodic tenant, as a condition of the tenancy, to comply with this chapter, the rules and bylaws of the association, and the provisions of the declaration.

AB781,39,11 (3) Copy of written agreement to association. Within 5 business days after entering into or renewing a written condominium rental agreement, the unit owner shall provide a copy of the agreement to the association. The association shall keep a copy of any condominium rental agreement on file while the agreement is in effect.

AB781,39,13 (4) Contact of unit owner and tenant by association. The association may contact or give notice to the tenant or unit owner by: