703.26 History
History: 1977 c. 407;
1997 a. 333.
703.26 Annotation
Substantial compliance with formal requirements permitted by s. 703.30 (2) is limited to the condominium status of the property and title of unit owners. It does not apply to a project's status as an expanding condominium under this section. Rock Lake Estates Unit Owners Ass'n v. Lake Mills,
195 Wis. 2d 348,
536 N.W.2d 415 (Ct. App. 1995).
703.27
703.27
Zoning and building regulations. 703.27(1)
(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 it would not impose upon a physically identical development 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 building of similar structure or occupancy under a different form of ownership unless the different application is expressly permitted in that provision. No subdivision ordinance may apply to any condominium unless the ordinance is, by its express terms, applicable to condominiums.
703.27(2)
(2) No county, city or other jurisdiction may enact any law, ordinance or regulation which 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.
703.27 History
History: 1977 c. 407.
703.275
703.275
Merger or consolidation of condominiums. 703.275(1)(1)
Agreement; legal effect. Any 2 or more 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.
703.275(2)
(2) Reallocation of interests. The merger or consolidation agreement shall provide for the reallocation of the allocated interests among the units of the resultant condominium. The agreement may not change the ratio that exists before the merger or consolidation between the allocated interests of any unit and the allocated interests of any other unit in the same preexisting condominium. The agreement shall state one of the following:
703.275(2)(a)
(a) The reallocations or the formulas upon which they are based.
703.275(2)(b)
(b) The percentage of the total of allocated interests of the new condominium which are allocated to all of the units comprising each of the preexisting condominiums.
703.275(3)
(3) Agreement; other provisions. The merger or consolidation agreement may contain any provisions consistent with this chapter in addition to those specified in
sub. (2).
703.275(4)
(4) Votes. The merger or consolidation agreement is effective if the agreement is approved by the unit owners of units to which at least 75% of the votes in each preexisting association are allocated. If the declaration of a preexisting association specifies that a percentage greater than 75% of the votes in that association is required to approve a merger or consolidation agreement, the greater percentage applies to the vote of that association. A declaration of a preexisting association may specify a smaller percentage and the smaller percentage applies to the vote of that association only if all of the units in the preexisting condominium are restricted exclusively to nonresidential uses.
703.275(5)
(5) Recording. Both a restatement of the declaration of the resultant condominium that includes the merger agreement and an addendum to the condominium plat of the resultant condominium shall be recorded as provided in
s. 703.07. The register of deeds shall reference the document number, volume and page of the plat of the resultant condominium on the plat of the preexisting condominium and shall note that the preexisting condominium has been merged.
703.275 History
History: 1985 a. 188;
1997 a. 333.
703.28
703.28
Removal from provisions of this chapter. 703.28(1)(1) All of the unit owners may remove all or any part of the property from the provisions of this chapter by a removal instrument, duly recorded, provided that the holders of all liens affecting any of the units consent thereto or agree, in either case by instruments duly recorded, that their liens be transferred to the percentage of the undivided interest of the unit owner in the property.
703.28(1m)(a)(a) If the merger of 2 or more condominiums under
s. 703.275 would result in the creation of a new plat for the resultant condominium, the property of the preexisting condominiums shall first be removed from the provisions of this chapter by recording a removal instrument.
703.28(1m)(b)
(b) Before a certified survey map, condominium plat, subdivision plat or other plat may be recorded and filed for the same property, the condominium shall first be removed from the provisions of this chapter by recording a removal instrument.
703.28(2)
(2) Upon removal of any property from this chapter, the property shall be deemed to be owned in common by the unit owners. The undivided interest in the property owned in common which appertains to each unit owner shall be the percentage of undivided interest previously owned by the owner in the common elements.
703.29
703.29
Removal no bar to subsequent resubmission. The removal provided for in
s. 703.28 shall in no way bar the subsequent resubmission of the property to this chapter.
703.29 History
History: 1977 c. 407.
703.30
703.30
Rules of construction. 703.30(1)
(1)
Certain rules of law not applicable. Neither the rule of law known as the rule against perpetuities nor the rule of law known as the rule restricting unreasonable restraints on alienation may be applied to defeat or invalidate any provision of this chapter or of any condominium instruments, bylaws or other instrument made pursuant to this chapter.
703.30(2)
(2) Substantial conformity of condominium instruments and bylaws sufficient. The provisions of any condominium instruments and bylaws filed under this chapter shall be liberally construed to facilitate the creation and operation of the condominium. So long as the condominium instruments and bylaws substantially conform with the requirements of this chapter, no variance from the requirements shall affect the condominium status of the property in question nor the title of any unit owner to his or her unit, votes and percentage interests in the common elements and in common expenses and common surpluses.
703.30(3)
(3) Provisions of condominium instruments and bylaws severable. All provisions of condominium instruments and bylaws are severable and the invalidity of one provision does not affect the validity of any other provision.
703.30(4)
(4) Conflicts in provisions. If there is any conflict between any provisions of a declaration and provisions of a condominium plat or any provisions of the bylaws, the provisions of the declaration shall control. If there is any conflict between any provisions of any condominium instruments and any provisions of any bylaws, the provisions of the condominium instruments shall control. If there is any conflict between any provisions of any condominium instruments or any provisions of any bylaws and any provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
703.30(5)
(5) Instruments construed together. Condominium instruments shall be construed together and are determined to incorporate one another to the extent that any requirement of this chapter applying to one instrument is satisfied if the deficiency can be corrected by reference to any of the others.
703.30 History
History: 1977 c. 407.
703.30 Annotation
The application of this section is limited to the condominium status of the property and title of unit owners. It does not apply to a project's status as an expanding condominium under s. 703.26. Rock Lake Estates Unit Owners Ass'n v. Lake Mills,
195 Wis. 2d 348,
536 N.W.2d 415 (Ct. App. 1995).
703.31
703.31
Personal application. 703.31(1)
(1) All unit owners, tenants of the owners, employees of owners and tenants or any other persons that in any manner use property or any part thereof subject to this chapter shall be subject to this chapter and to the declaration and bylaws of the association adopted under this chapter.
703.31(2)
(2) All agreements, decisions and determinations lawfully made by an association in accordance with the voting percentages established in this chapter, declaration or bylaws, shall be deemed to be binding on all unit owners.
703.31 History
History: 1977 c. 407.
703.32
703.32
Easements and encroachments. 703.32(1)
(1)
Presumption as to existing physical boundaries. Any existing physical boundaries of any unit or common elements constructed or reconstructed in substantial conformity with the condominium plat shall be conclusively presumed to be its boundaries, regardless of the shifting, settlement or lateral movement of any building and regardless of minor variations between the physical boundaries as described in the declaration or shown on the condominium plat and the existing physical boundaries of any such unit or common element. This presumption applies only to encroachments within the condominium.
703.32(2)
(2) Encroachment as result of authorized construction, reconstruction or repair. If any portion of any common element encroaches on any unit or if any portion of a unit encroaches on any common element, as a result of the duly authorized construction, reconstruction or repair of a building, a valid easement for the encroachment and for the maintenance of the same shall exist so long as the building stands.
703.32(3)
(3) Easements included in grant of unit. A grant or other disposition of a condominium unit shall include and grant and be subject to any easement arising under the provisions of this section without specific or particular reference to the easement.
703.32(4)
(4) Association's right of entry to make repairs. An association shall have an irrevocable right and an easement to enter units to make repairs to common elements when the repairs reasonably appear necessary for public safety or to prevent damage to other portions of the condominium. Except in cases involving manifest danger to public safety or property, an association shall make a reasonable effort to give notice to the owner of any unit to be entered for the purpose of such repairs. No entry by an association for the purposes specified in this subsection may be considered a trespass.
703.32 History
History: 1977 c. 407.
703.33
703.33
Disclosure requirements. 703.33(1)
(1)
Material to be furnished by seller to purchaser before closing. Not later than 15 days prior to the closing of the sale of a unit to a member of the public, the seller shall furnish to the purchaser the following:
703.33(1)(a)
(a) A copy of the proposed or existing declaration, bylaws and any rules or regulations, together with an index of the contents.
703.33(1)(b)
(b) A copy of the proposed or existing articles of incorporation of the association, if it is or is to be incorporated.
703.33(1)(c)
(c) A copy of any proposed or existing management contract, employment contract or other contract affecting the use, maintenance or access of all or part of the condominium to which it is anticipated the unit owners or the association will be a party following closing.
703.33(1)(d)
(d) A copy of the projected annual operating budget for the condominium including reasonable details concerning the estimated monthly payments by the purchaser for assessments, and monthly charges for the use, rental or lease of any facilities not part of the condominium.
703.33(1)(e)
(e) A copy of any lease to which it is anticipated the unit owners or the association will be a party following closing.
703.33(1)(f)
(f) A description of any contemplated expansion of the condominium with a general description of each stage of expansion and the maximum number of units that can be added to the condominium.
703.33(1)(g)
(g) A copy of the floor plan of the unit together with the information that is necessary to show the location of the common elements and other facilities to be used by the unit owners and indicating which facilities will be part of the condominium and which facilities will be owned by others.
703.33(2)
(2) Disclosure form. The materials required in
sub. (1) shall be delivered to a prospective purchaser with cover sheet, index and tables of contents as prescribed in this section. A cover sheet and index shall precede all other materials required in
sub. (1). A table of contents shall precede the section to which it applies.
703.33(2)(a)
(a)
Cover sheet. A cover sheet shall be of the same approximate size and shape as the majority of the disclosure materials required in
sub. (1) and shall bear the title "Disclosure Materials" and shall contain the name and location of the condominium, the name and business address of the declarant, and the name and business address of the declarant's agent or, if the seller is not the declarant, the name and address of the seller. Following this information, but separate from it, there shall appear on the front of the cover sheet 3 statements in boldface type, or capital letters no smaller than the largest type on the page, in the following wording:
703.33(2)(a)1.
1. THESE ARE THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS COVERING YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CONDOMINIUM OWNER. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THEM, YOU SHOULD OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
703.33(2)(a)2.
2. THESE DISCLOSURE MATERIALS GIVEN TO YOU AS REQUIRED BY LAW MAY BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECT AND BINDING. ORAL STATEMENTS MAY NOT BE LEGALLY BINDING.
703.33(2)(a)3.
3. YOU MAY AT ANY TIME WITHIN 5 BUSINESS DAYS FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF THESE DOCUMENTS, OR FOLLOWING NOTICE OF ANY MATERIAL CHANGES IN THESE DOCUMENTS, CANCEL IN WRITING THE CONTRACT OF SALE AND RECEIVE A FULL REFUND OF ANY DEPOSITS MADE.
703.33(2)(b)
(b)
Index. Following the material required in
par. (a), there shall appear an index of the disclosure materials. An index may begin on the cover sheet, if space permits, and be continued on the first and subsequent pages immediately following the cover sheet or may begin on the first page immediately following the cover sheet and continue on subsequent pages. An index shall be in substantially the following form:
The disclosure materials the seller is required by law to provide to each prospective condominium purchaser contains the following documents and exhibits:
1. Declaration. The declaration establishes and describes the condominium, the units and the common areas. The declaration begins on page ......
2. Bylaws. The bylaws contain rules which govern the condominium and effect the rights and responsibilities of unit owners. The bylaws begin on page ......
3. Articles of incorporation. The operation of a condominium is governed by the association, of which each unit owner is a member. Powers, duties, and operation of an association are specified in its articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation begin on page ......
4. Management or employment contracts. Certain services are provided to the condominium through contracts with individuals or private firms. These contracts begin on page ......
5. Annual operating budget. The association incurs expenses for the operation of the condominium which are assessed to the unit owners. The operating budget is an estimate of those charges which are in addition to mortgage and utility payments. The budget begins on page ......
6. Leases. Units in this condominium are sold subject to one or more leases of property or facilities which are not a part of the condominium. These leases begin on page ......
7. Expansion plans. The declarant has reserved the right to expand the condominium in the future. A description of the plans for expansion and its effect on unit owners begins on page ......
8. Floor plan and map. The seller has provided a floor plan of the unit being offered for sale and a map of the condominium which shows the location of the unit you are considering and all facilities and common areas which are part of the condominium. The floor plan and map begin on page ......
703.33(2)(c)
(c)
Tables of contents and page numbers. In addition to an index required by
par. (b), there shall be provided tables of contents for the declaration, bylaws and articles of incorporation which shall identify each section of these documents and provide a page number for each section. Each section of disclosure material required in
sub. (1) shall, on the first page of that material, identify contents of that section but, with an exception of the declaration, bylaws and articles of incorporation, shall not be required to have a table of contents. Each page of disclosure materials shall contain a page number sufficient to identify it within the body of disclosure materials. Page numbers for the declaration, bylaws and articles of incorporation required in
par. (b) shall be the first page of the table of contents for that section. All other page numbers required in the index shall refer to the first page of that section on which the title appears.
703.33(2)(cm)
(cm)
Statements; building code violations. Except with respect to a conversion condominium with 4 or fewer units, in addition to the other information required by this section, the declarant of a conversion condominium shall provide to each purchaser all of the following:
703.33(2)(cm)1.
1. A statement by the declarant, based on a report prepared by an independent architect or engineer, describing the present condition of those structural components and mechanical and electrical installations that are material to the use and enjoyment of the building.
703.33(2)(cm)2.
2. A statement by the declarant of the expected useful life of each item reported on in
subd. 1. or a statement that no representations are made in that regard.
703.33(2)(cm)3.
3. A list of any outstanding notices of uncured violations of building code or other municipal regulations, together with the estimated cost of curing those violations.
703.33(2)(d)
(d)
Additions or exclusions. All materials required by this section shall be delivered to a prospective purchaser with disclosure materials required under
sub. (1) except that articles of incorporation, leases and expansion plans of the index need not be included if they clearly do not apply.
703.33(3)
(3) Change in material following delivery to purchaser. Any material furnished under
sub. (1) may not be changed or amended following delivery to a purchaser, if the change or amendment would affect materially the rights of the purchaser, without first obtaining approval of the purchaser. A copy of amendments shall be delivered promptly to the purchaser.
703.33(4)
(4) Purchaser's right to rescind contract of sale. Any purchaser may at any time within 5 business days following receipt of all information required under
sub. (1) and within 5 business days following receipt of all information required under
sub. (3), rescind in writing a contract of sale without stating any reason and without any liability on his or her part, and the purchaser is entitled to the return of any deposits made in account of the contract.
703.33(5)
(5) Untrue statement or omission of material fact. Any seller who in disclosing information required under
subs. (1) and
(2) makes any untrue statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make statements made not misleading shall be liable to any person purchasing a unit from him or her. However, no action may be maintained to enforce any liability created under this section unless brought within one year after facts constituting a cause of action are or should have been discovered.
703.33(6)
(6) Waiver of purchaser's right. Rights of purchasers under this section may not be waived in the contract of sale and any attempt to waiver is void. However, if the purchaser proceeds to closing, the purchaser's right under this section to rescind is terminated.
703.33(7)
(7) Sale of unit for nonresidential purposes. Requirements of this section do not apply to a sale of any unit which is primarily intended to be occupied and used for nonresidential purposes.
703.33(8)
(8) Location of condominium immaterial. Requirements of this section shall apply to a sale of any unit offered for sale in this state without regard to the location of a condominium.
703.33 History
History: 1977 c. 407;
1985 a. 188.
703.33 Annotation
Tips for Representing Condominium Sellers. Hagopian. Wis. Law. May 1993.
703.34
703.34
Blanket mortgages and other blanket liens affecting a unit at time of first conveyance. As a condition to the first transfer of title to each unit:
703.34(1)
(1) Every mortgage and other lien affecting such unit, including the undivided interest in the common areas and facilities appurtenant to such unit, shall be paid and satisfied of record;
703.34(2)
(2) A unit being transferred and an undivided interest in the common areas and facilities appurtenant thereto shall be released by partial release duly recorded; or
703.34(3)
(3) A mortgage or other lien shall provide for or be amended to provide for a release of the unit and the undivided interest in the common areas and facilities appurtenant thereto from the lien of a mortgage or other lien upon the payment of a sum certain.
703.34 History
History: 1977 c. 407.
703.35
703.35
Termination of contracts and leases. If entered into before the officers elected by the unit owners under
s. 703.10 take office, any management contract, employment contract, lease of recreational or parking areas or facilities, any contract or lease to which a declarant or any person affiliated with the declarant is a party and any contract or lease which is not bona fide or which was not commercially reasonable to unit owners when entered into under the circumstances then prevailing, may be terminated by the association or its executive board at any time without penalty upon not less than 90 days' notice to the other party thereto. This section does not apply to any lease the termination of which would terminate the condominium.
703.35 History
History: 1977 c. 407.
703.36
703.36
Provisions requiring employment of declarant or vendor to effect sale. Any provision of a declaration or other instrument made pursuant to this chapter which requires the owner of a unit to engage or employ the declarant or any subsidiary or affiliate of the declarant for the purpose of effecting a sale or lease of any unit is void. Any provision of any contract for a sale of any unit which requires a purchaser to engage or employ the vendor or any subsidiary or affiliate of the vendor for the purpose of effecting a sale or lease of any unit is void. This section applies to declarations, instruments and contracts made prior to and after August 1, 1978.
703.36 History
History: 1977 c. 407.
