CAI-NJ August 2021

Use of Amenities by NON-RESIDENTS/GUESTS — (Your Grandkids have Overstayed their Welcome) By Domingo Ramirez, Associa - Community Management Corporation of New Jersey, AAMC

A s another lazy summer blossoms over our condo- minium properties, the sometimes-sticky issue of non- residents or guests using the amenities can rear its ugly head. Grandkids, cousins, aunts and uncles, brother and sisters, and relatives far and wide can descend upon condominium communities like the 17-year locust. This is a situation that will affect communities all over the United States and worldwide. Due to the last 18 months of the COVID -19 pandemic, friends and family members visiting our residents and our communities has not been an issue that board members and property managers have needed to address. This, combined with the majority of communities keeping their amenities closed last year and part of this year meant that non-resident amenity issues were simply non-existent. However, with COVID -19 vaccinations now available, and the fact that many communities have made the deci- sion to open up some or all of their amenities to residents,

those non-resident issues can rapidly become a major con- cern. Furthermore, the use of the swimming pool or other amenities by non-resident guests could result in insurance liability issues that the association may have to contend with. The possibility of an association having to defend itself against one or more lawsuits filed by guests who contracted COVID and who at one time or another used a community’s amenities is a very real possibility. In order to avoid possible lawsuits many communities have chosen to limit access to the amenities to residents-on- ly in 2021. This action by boards can be disappointing to some residents, especially those who love sharing their community’s amenities with their friends and family. There can also be strong pushback from the residents regarding these “No Guest” policies being in place, this pushback would be due to the aforementioned availability of vacci- nations combined with the reopening of communities and activity centers around the country. CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 38

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