Basics for Living at 24 Norman Street

We have a fair number of tenants renting or subletting units at 24 Norman Street, and therefore a pretty high turn-over rate, so it is sometimes beneficial to post some Norman Street basics.
As a trustee, I hear the complaints about building issues. Here are three common issues that come up again and again. If you pay attention to these issues and the solutions, you will avoid 99% of the difficulties associated with living in a compact, 39-unit building.

1. Excessive noise
This is the biggest complaint among owners and tenants in the building. The condo rules state no excessive noise between 9 pm and 9 am. That could mean anything from loud TVs and music to loud talking. Please note: Because of the age of the building and the way it was converted into condos, there is not much sound buffering between floors. In most cases, the ceiling of one unit directly abuts the floor of the unit above it. Sound carries very easily between units, more than you may be aware of, especially if you live on the 2nd or 3rd floor. Also, because of the layout of the lofts, most unit's sleeping areas are directly below the entry and bathroom of the unit above it. This also amplifies the effect.  
Solution: Be quiet between 9 pm and 9 am.
Curtail any loud activities. If you cannot avoid activity during that time, do your best to keep it as quiet as possible. People can hear you. If you are not quiet, and your neighbor lodges a complaint with Markwood Management, the owner of the unit may be fined until the situation is corrected.

2. Parking
This is the second biggest complaint from owners and tenants in the building. Besides griping about the restrictions and general lack of on-street parking, the next biggest issue is the misuse of the side drop-off area on the north-east side of the building. It is intended as a drop-off area for residents loading and unloading from their cars. It is not intended as an auxiliary parking lot, or as a personal work area. It is for short-term use. If you are parking your vehicle there for more than 30 minutes, you are abusing the privilege.
Solution: Don't park your vehicle in the side lot for more than 30 minutes
If you park there any longer than that, your vehicle may be towed at your expense.

3. Building Maintenance
Last, but not least, is building maintenance. This is a broad category which covers everything in the common areas of the building, the hallways, entryways, laundry room, roof, dumpsters, drop-off area and grounds and includes activities such as painting, landscaping, carpeting, cleaning.
Many complaints about maintenace have to do with the quality, appearance and even the smell of the property.
Some people have a tendency to treat anything outside of their individual unit as a kind of dumping ground for anything from shoes and unwanted household items to cigarette butts and trash. Random acts of vandalism have also been known to occur.
The common areas are just that, common areas, held in common trust by every owner in the building. We pay for its maintenance, which means when you abuse the common areas, you are taking money out of your neighbor's pocket. 
Solution: Don't use the common areas as your personal trash bin/smoking lounge/anger management tool.
Abuse of or vandalism of the common areas may mean fines and/or prosecution.

Courtesy, respect and consideration go a long way.

This is Not Your Frat House

We have another WTF? winning moment.
This last weekend there were not one, but two large, very noisy parties on the second floor of 24 Norman Street. One was on Friday night, the other on Saturday night. They were so large, that they spilled out into the hallway, where people were found to be drinking, smoking, and making enough noise to wake people in the adjacent units, if not the entire floor. This would have been bad enough during early evening hours, but this party was in full swing at 2:30 a.m. Several complaints were logged by Markwood Management, from residents on all three floors of the building. There were also cigarette butts as well as other various items of trash strewn throughout the stairs and hallways.

It cannot be stressed enough that this is a serious violation of condo bylaws, (as well as just common consideration for your neighbors), and there will be serious consequences for anyone, owner or tenant, who violates these laws. There are prohibitions against making any loud noise or disturbance between 12 midnight and 9 a.m. There are also prohibitions against smoking or drinking in common areas (i.e., hallways, stairwells, laundry room, outside of your unit, but inside the building) at any time.
If you lack the sense or consideration that would tell most people that having a loud party at 3 a.m is a bad idea, know this: this is not your frat house or college dorm. This is not your friend's house in the suburbs. This is a tightly-packed, small building in which sounds and smells travel easily down the halls and through the floors. In short, this is not a building suited for late-night parties.

If you are an owner, re-read your condo documents. If you are subletting to a tenant, it is your responsibility to inform them of the bylaws governing the building. "I didn't know" is not a viable excuse. If you live in the building, you should be aware of the bylaws.

If that isn't enough for you, remember that your careless behavior and "F*ck you" attitude is not engendering any good feelings or generosity from your neighbors.

Markwood Management has the right and the will to levy stiff fines for these violations.

And last, you may be subject to a visit by the local constabulary if it happens again.

Remember, a little consideration goes a long way.