Single tier condominiums - by Saul Feldman

Saul Feldman, Feldman Law Office

Often, in my opinion, there is reason to use a two tier condominium structure (a Condominium within a Condominium). However, there are also reasons to use a single tier condominium structure – using just one condominium rather than two condominiums.

A two tier condominium differs from the more traditional single tier condominium.

For example, I recommend the two tier approach when the bottom half of the building is a hotel and the top half of the building is a luxury residential condominium. The hotel wants to be totally independent of the residential condominium. In this scenario, there will be a two unit primary condominium consisting of the hotel unit and the residence unit. There will be a secondary condominium consisting of all of the residential units. The hotel will want broad power. For example, the primary condominium will be run by three (3) directors. The hotel will want to select two (2) of the three (3) directors with only one (1) director selected by the residences, but the residential director will have a veto over “major decisions.” The concept of a condominium within a condominium works in this situation.

There are drawbacks to the two tier, condominium within a condominium structure. For example, lenders on the units in the secondary residential condominium will insist on reviewing the documents and the financials for the primary condominium. It may be true that a two tier structure can make it easier to obtain the approval of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA. However, in a small condominium which has, for example, two commercial units and four residential units, it may be better just to obtain a portfolio lender for the “non-conforming” four residential units.

The separation between the commercial and the residential units can be achieved by a single master deed and a single condominium trust with: (1) a sub-board for the residential units and another sub-board for the commercial units; and (2) limited common areas for the residential units and limited common areas for the commercial units. In a single tier structure, the master board of trustees maintains only those common areas which are shared by all of the units in the building.

In any event, attorneys and their developer clients need to weigh carefully at the planning stage the pros and cons of the two tier structure and the one tier structure for mixed use condominiums.

Saul Feldman is a real estate attorney with Feldman Law Office, Boston, Mass.