Association-sponsored Garage Sales

Summer is just around the corner, and garage sale season is quickly approaching. Many Associations inquire about the implications of conducting Association-wide, Association-sponsored garage sales. Here are a few tips to ensure you follow protocol to protect the Association:

1. If the Declaration prohibits garage sales, you cannot circumvent this by a Board vote;

2. Make sure that the Association or owners within the Association have obtained proper permits from the city;

3. Check your insurance provisions to make sure the Association has insurance coverage for any incidents that might occur. Your insurance company may require an event policy depending on the scope of the sale;

4. Keep in mind that a garage sale may violate provisions of the Declaration prohibiting one from running a business from their home;

5. If you live in a condominium where a sale would require you to open up doors usually locked to the public, keep in mind safety and security concerns, and make visitors sign in and out to ensure everyone has vacated the building.

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