Q: My sister and I inherited a condo when my mom passed last year. We have been living here for a year with no problems. We plan to sell the apartment and move later this year to be closer to family. We got a notice from the board that we must be vetted and pass a background check at $100 for each of us. If we don’t play their game, can they make us leave or interfere with selling our unit? — Robert
A: If your community association’s documents allow it, a board, often with the help of the management company, can vet new residents by looking at various factors, such as credit score, income, and a background check.
However, a community association cannot get in the way when someone comes to own real estate by “operation of law,” such as by winning a foreclosure auction or inheriting it.
