Condominiums—By-laws Did Not Require Unit Owner To Pay Attorney Fees Relating to Wrongful Use of Unit as a Short-Term Rental

A plaintiff Board of Managers of a condominium (board) alleged that a defendant unit owner (owner) had used his unit as a "short-term rental such as Airbnb…." The board had moved to renew a motion for a default judgement with regard to a claim for the cost and expenses of the subject action, including reasonable attorney fees and disbursements, together with interest. The unopposed motion was denied.

The board had previously filed a complaint and an order to show cause for a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the defendant. The board alleged that the owner had not used his unit as his residence. Rather, he "rented it out for short-terms as advertised in the Airbnb or similar websites." The board sought injunctive relief to restrain the owner from renting his unit in violation of the law and the by-laws and house rules of the condominium (governing documents).