Co-owners could ask courts to turn two-unit buildings into condos

A co-owner could request condo conversion, and the Land Court would have to order it when the stated conditions are met. This would cover land and a building containing two homes held by tenants in common, meaning each owner holds a share of the whole property. This process would apply only when no recorded agreement binding all co-owners governs division of the property or conversion to condo ownership. The court’s duty to order conversion would follow a co-owner’s petition under this process.

The court could set reasonable conditions for conversion, and the unit owners would have to record a master deed, the document establishing the condos. These rules would apply to owners whose property is ordered into condo ownership through this process. Court conditions could cover shared access and utilities, drainage, and upkeep of shared structures or facilities. The deed requirement would apply once the court orders conversion.