A condominium is a single unit of real estate—usually a home or residence—in a multi-unit residential development in which each owner of a unit has both a separate ownership interest (often everything inside the front door)—and a common ownership interest (with other unit owners) in the common areas of the property outside the front door—such as roofs, hallways, driveways, walkways, stairways, stucco, brick, paint, stone, and landscaping.

A condominium development is usually governed by a homeowners’ association (HOA) through its board of directors, elected by the homeowners as provided by the HOA’s declaration and bylaws. Unit owners or homeowners in the association are required to pay monthly HOA dues for the maintenance and repair of the common areas of the property and its insurance.

In Rhode Island, condominiums are regulated under the Rhode Island Condominium Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36.1-1.01 et seq.). This act provides the framework for the creation, ownership, and governance of condominiums. Each unit owner has an individual ownership interest in their unit and a shared interest in the common areas. The common areas include parts of the property such as roofs, hallways, and landscaping, which are collectively owned and maintained by all unit owners. The homeowners' association (HOA), governed by a board of directors elected by the unit owners, is responsible for the management of the condominium development. This includes enforcing the declaration and bylaws of the association, managing the common areas, and handling the finances, which often involves collecting monthly dues from unit owners to cover expenses such as maintenance, repairs, and insurance for the common areas. Rhode Island law outlines the rights and responsibilities of unit owners and the HOA, ensuring that the condominium community operates smoothly and that the property is well-maintained.