Answer: Anyone seeking to construct, alter, or demolish a structure, install a sign, or any work that is not a direct replacement of the existing elements, must first obtain a building permit from a building inspector at the Inspectional Services Department. The building permit must be obtained before the start of any work and must be prominently posted at the job site.

Building permits are issued to construction supervisors licensed by the City of Cambridge or the State of Massachusetts. The State license is only valid for work involving structures of less than 35,000 cu. Ft. As an exception to this requirement, building permits are also issued to homeowners doing work on one or two unit dwellings where they reside or intend to reside. It is noted that when homeowners are issued building permits, they may be liable for contractors working on their property and they are not eligible for protection under the provisions of the Homeowners Improvement Contractor Law. For these reasons, ISD encourages homeowners to have the building permit taken out by a properly licensed contractor.

Answer: Work must be started within six (6) months of the date the permit is issued. Once started, the work must be progressed continuously to completion. The City Noise Ordinance does not permit construction activities prior to 7:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on Saturdays and holidays) and after 6:00 p.m. Sunday work is not permitted.

Answer: These permits are issued to Massachusetts licensed plumbers, gasfitters, or electricians. Permits are issued in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws (MGLs); MGL 143-3L in the case of wiring permits and MGL 142-13 in the case of plumbing and gas permits.

Answer: No. Unit Owner cannot subdivide his/her unit. It violates the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, applicable to the Condominium designated with precisely 37 separate dwellings.

Answer: No. All Board members are volunteers.

Answer: No. Unit Owners elect a Board of Trustees. The Board then develops a budget, handles both the fiscal and regulatory affairs of the Condominium.

Answer: Yes. Although condominium ownership is different from home ownership, an owner still has a fiscally responsibility to the maintenance of the common areas of the condominium. Unlike home ownership, a condominium owner does not have to “go it alone” when costs are incurred outside the unit. However, a monthly condo fee may not cover all needed expenses. Therefore, special assessments will be needed from time to time to address any maintenance issues and repairs, as well as capital replacements of the Condominium. Unit Owners/Residents are also required to observe the Rules and Regulations regarding the upkeep of the Common Areas and Elements.

Answer: Depends. Although maintenance to the interior of individual unit is Unit Owner’s responsibility. The Management Office does offer a variety of simple maintenance services to individual Unit Owners within their unit by request. Please contact the Management Office for details on the scope of work offered and the associated service fee.

Answer: No. Unit Owners/Residents MUST make their own arrangements for the disposal of large discarded items such as appliances, furniture, etc. If discarded items are left on the sidewalk for an extended period of time, City of Cambridge will issue a ticket for a trash disposal violation to the property owner. The Owners/Residents will be responsibility for such penalty, and additional fine from the Condominium Association.

Answer: No. All Unit Owners share the cost of all the water and heat used in the Condominium. There is one water meter and one gas meter for the entire building, not separate meters as there are for other utilities. Unit owners are reminded to help conserve energy and water. Everyone is encouraged to check their toilets and faucets for leaks regularly, install water-saving showerhead and faucet, and replace the old thermostat with a programmable one. Your cooperation in this matter will help to control the annual expense of the Condominium for energy and water consumption.

Answer: No. There is no routine daily, weekly, or monthly inspection of the building except for weekly cleaning and trash removal. When a resident first identifies a problem which needs service, such as malfunctioning door knobs with an exterior door lock, pipe leaks, area flood, or lighting problems, etc., the resident should initiate service by calling the Managing Office as soon as possible.

Answer: No. For liability reason (such as identity theft or mis-identification that potentially leads to crime), Management Office can only use the unit keys kept in the office for emergency maintenance use and not for lockouts. Residents should make their own contingency arrangement by leaving a spare key with friends and neighbors, or call a locksmith. Unit Owner(s) can visit the Management Office and retrieve their stored key(s) directly with identification(s).

Answer: Absolutely Not. Not only it is in violation of the Uniform State Plumbing Code, it also violates our contract with the laundry room company CSC Serviceworks. Violator will be fined and CSC Serviceworks will be notified.

Answer: Contact CSC ServiceWorks directly. Neither the Management Office nor the Board of Trustees manage/repair the laundry appliances. If the washers or the dryers are not functioning properly, residents must contact CSC ServiceWorks directly to request and schedule the repair. Resident can either scan the QR code on the machines with their cellphone app or go online (cscsw.com/request-service/) for maintenance. CSC ServiceWorks is also the sole authority in setting the price for washing/drying per load. Residents should contact CSC ServiceWorks with any fee and charge related issues. If the wash basin is clogged and there is a potential flooding situation related to the water discharged from the washers, residents should contact the Management Office immediately.

Answer: Absolutely Not. Short-term rentals of 30 days or less are strictly prohibited for renters and non-resident Unit Owners, regardless of whether the Unit Owner or renter remains in the Unit. Units renting for less than 30 days are in violation of the Master Deed and in violation of City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. Fines per-day and/or per-occurrence will be imposed on the Unit Owner(s)/Resident(s). Violator(s) may also face legal action.

Answer: No. Renters cannot directly rent out their parking space to any third party, even if it is permitted by the Unit Owners (Landlords).

Answer: Not Advised. The Board of Trustees strongly discourages Unit Owners who rent out their unit(s) to allow subletting by their Tenant(s). Subletting dramatically increases the risk of damage to a property and also blurs the lines of responsibility for that damage. Bear in mind that many mortgage lenders and insurance policies do not allow sub-letting. Any violation will result in higher premium and loss of coverage in the event of any damage cause by the sub-letter(s) as sub-letter(s) has no legal relationship with the Landlord.

The Board of Trustees encourages rental unit lease to include a “no-sublet” clause: “The Tenant agrees not to assign sublet, part with or share the Premises with any persons other than the persons named as the Tenant or any other person approved of in writing by the Landlord to occupy or reside in the Premises. The Tenant agrees not to take in Lodgers or Paying Guests without the Landlord’s written consent.” Unit Owners (Landlords) or their realtor/agent who allow subletting must notify the Management Office of the change in residents with a copy of the sublease.