Drummer Boy Homes Association, Inc. v. Britton, et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-043-16)
NOTICE: All slip opinions and orders are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. If you find a typographical error or other formal error, please notify the Reporter of Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500, Boston, MA, 02108-1750; (617) 557-1030; SJCReporter@sjc.state.ma.us SJC-11969 DRUMMER BOY HOMES ASSOCIATION, INC. vs. CAROLYN P. BRITTON & another.[1] Middlesex. January 7, 2016. – March 29, 2016. Present: Gants, C.J., Spina, Cordy, Botsford, Duffly, Lenk, & Hines, JJ. Condominiums, Common expenses. Real Property, Condominium. Lien. Mortgage, Priority. Practice, Civil, Standing, Attorney’s fees. Civil actions commenced in the Concord Division of the District Court Department on August 8, 2007; February 6, 2008; and October 6, 2008. After consolidation, the case was heard by Peter J. Kilmartin, J., on a motion for summary judgment, and a motion to alter and amend the judgment was also heard by him. After review by the Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court granted leave to obtain further appellate review. Thomas O. Moriarty (Jennifer L. Barnett with him) for the plaintiff. Michael A.F. Johnson, of the District of Columbia (Rhiannon A. Campbell with him), for Federal Housing Finance Agency & others, amici curiae. Randy A. Britton, pro se. The following submitted briefs for amici curiae: Alan E. Lipkind & Elizabeth Brady Murillo for Avidia Bank & others. Henry A. Goodman, Ellen A. Shapiro, Charles A. Perkins, Jr., Scott J. Eriksen, & David R. Chenelle for Community Associations Institute. Clive D. Martin & Diane R. Rubin for Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts, Inc. Stephen C. Reilly & Jennifer E. Greaney for Bank of America, N.A. SPINA, J. At issue in this case is whether G. L. c. 183A, § 6, permits an organization of unit owners to establish multiple contemporaneous priority liens on a condominium unit by filing successive legal actions to collect unpaid monthly common expense assessments (common expenses).[2] We conclude that the statute allows for such liens. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the Appellate Division of the District Court,[3] which reached a contrary conclusion.[4] 1. Background. Over the last ten years, the parties in this case have been involved in protracted and contentious litigation concerning parking rights at a condominium complex. Our recitation of the factual background and procedural history encompasses only those matters that relate to the specific issues now before this court. Drummer Boy Condominium II, which consists of twelve individual units, is one of nine condominiums comprising Drummer Boy Green in Lexington. In the aggregate, the nine condominiums have approximately 150 units. The defendant, Carolyn […]