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 West Virginia, condominiums are regulated under the West Virginia Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WVUCIOA). This act provides the framework for the creation, management, and dissolution of condominiums. Each condominium unit owner has an individual ownership interest in their unit and a shared interest in the common areas of the property, such as lobbies, gyms, and outdoor spaces. The condominium association, often structured as a homeowners' association (HOA), is responsible for the management of the common areas, enforcing the community's rules, and collecting monthly dues from unit owners. These dues are used for the upkeep, maintenance, and insurance of the common areas. The HOA is governed by a board of directors, which is elected by the unit owners, and operates according to the association's declaration and bylaws. These governing documents outline the rights and responsibilities of the unit owners, the association, and the board of directors, including how the HOA dues are determined and used.