Section 17. (a) Rebuilding of the common areas and facilities made necessary by fire or other casualty loss shall be carried out in the manner set forth in the by-law provision dealing with the necessary work of maintenance, repair and replacement, using common funds, including the proceeds of any insurance, for that purpose, provided such casualty loss does not exceed ten per cent of the value of the condominium prior to the casualty.
(b) If said casualty loss exceeds ten per cent of the value of the condominium prior to the casualty, and
(1) If seventy-five per cent of the unit owners do not agree within one hundred and twenty days after the date of the casualty to proceed with repair or restoration, the condominium, including all units, shall be subject to partition at the suit of any unit owner. Such suit shall be subject to dismissal at any time prior to entry of an order to sell if an appropriate agreement to rebuild is filed. The net proceeds of a partition sale together with any common funds shall be divided in proportion to the unit owners' respective undivided ownership in the common areas and facilities. Upon such sale, the condominium shall be deemed removed from the provisions of this chapter.
(2) If seventy-five per cent of the unit owners agree to proceed with the necessary repair or restoration, the cost of the rebuilding of the condominium, in excess of any available common funds, including the proceeds of any insurance, shall be a common expense, provided, however, that if such excess cost exceeds ten per cent of the value of the condominium prior to the casualty, any unit owner who did not so agree may apply to the superior court of the county in which the condominium is located on such notice to the organization of unit owners as the court shall direct, for an order directing the purchase of his unit by the organization of unit owners at the fair market value thereof as approved by the court. The cost of any such purchase shall be a common expense.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Title I - Title to Real Property
Section 2 - Application of Chapter; Creation of Other Interests in Realty
Section 3 - Nature of Interest; Sale or Descent
Section 4 - Exclusive Ownership and Possession; Restrictions
Section 5 - Interest in Common Areas or Facilities; Percentage; Division
Section 6 - Common Profits and Expenses; Lien
Section 7 - Contribution Toward Common Expenses; Liability; Offset, Deduction, or Waiver Prohibited
Section 8 - Master Deed; Recording; Contents
Section 8a - Leasehold Condominiums; Rights of Unit Owners
Section 9 - Deeds of Units; Contents
Section 11 - By-Laws; Mandatory Provisions
Section 12 - By-Laws; Additional Provisions
Section 13 - Claims Involving Common Areas and Facilities; Liability
Section 14 - Taxation and Betterment Assessments; Lien
Section 15 - Subdivision Control Law
Section 16 - Submission of Property to This Chapter
Section 18 - Improvements; Costs
Section 19 - Removal From Provisions of This Chapter
Section 20 - Municipal Participation in Condominium Organization and Ownership
Section 21 - Multiple Family Condominium Units; By-Laws; Master Deed
Section 22 - Foreclosure of Condominium Development; Liability of Lender and Developer
Section 23 - Prior Consent for Amendment of Deed, Trust or Bylaw