Our Building
Learn about how Brentwood Park is managed and get answers to FAQs
Report a Building Issue
If you notice an issue in the building, please report it to a board member. If there is an issue in your unit and you're not sure whether it's your responsibility or the HOA's responsibility, you can ask a board member.
Contractor List
If you are looking for contractors to do work on your unit, the listed contractors have had previous experience with our building, and may be able to better assist you. You are free to solicit other companies to do the work in your unit as well. You are not required to use any of the companies on the list.
Unit Repairs and Alterations
Responsibility for Unit Repairs
The Amended By-Laws and Master Deed determine who is responsible for repairing all elements of the building. Based on that document and a review from our attorney, the board has also created a Responsibility Matrix that puts this information into table format so that you can more easily determine if a repair is a co-owner or HOA responsibility. If you are still unsure after reading these documents, you can contact a board member.
Unit Alterations
BOARD APPROVAL
You need the board's approval if you want to:
Change structural elements of your unit (load bearing walls, etc.)
Change elements that are visible from outside your unit (doors, windows, door handles, exterior lighting, etc.).
Change your HVAC setup (hot water heater, air handler, air conditioning, and/or furnace). Some systems require cutting the building's siding to add vents, which requires approval. Also, HVAC companies may recommend a system that are not compatible with our building's gas supply.
Please see Article VI, Section 3 of the By-Laws (on document page 34 of 57 of the condo documents) or contact a board member to find out if your work requires Board approval. You must fill out the Alteration Form, send it to the board, and receive approval prior to beginning alterations if you wish to change one of these elements.
CITY OF EAST LANSING APPROVAL
You may need to get a permit from the City of East Lansing if you are altering plumbing, electric, or structural elements of your unit. Our condo building is a commercial property, which means that many changes that do not require a permit in a residential house do require a permit in this building.
You can contact the relevant inspector at the City of East Lansing's Building Division to find out if the work you are doing requires a permit. If you are unsure of where to begin your search, you can contact Leslie Yabs, the division secretary, by phone (517-319-6810) or email (lyabs@cityofeastlansing.com).
Building Info and By-Laws Fast Facts
Balcony Door Locks
Almost everyone who lives at Brentwood has been locked on their porch before, sometimes at night in the freezing cold. We strongly suggest that you change your french door's lock to be a deadbolt, hide a spare key on your porch, or never go on your porch without your keys.
Cleaning
We hire a cleaning service to clean public restrooms and dust once a month and to vacuum twice a month. All other cleaning is performed voluntarily by residents. Please always clean up after yourself and keep the trash room as clean as possible.
Common Rooms
Brentwood has a large common room and library, both located off the lobby. You are free to use both rooms.
Rooms may be reserved for private functions by placing a sign on the door up to one week before with the date and time of your event and unit number. (Example: Library reserved on 1/15 from 12-5 pm, Unit 103).
The large common room has a fridge, microwave, and sink. There are more tables and chairs available upon request. Please clean up after using the room by emptying trash, cleaning the kitchen, and vacuuming.
Front Door Intercom & Security
There is an intercom box located on the right side of the front vestibule at the main entrance. To have your phone number linked, please contact a board member.
RULES
For the safety of all those who live here, the board strictly enforces the following rules:
Never buzz in someone who you have not personally met before.
Never buzz in a delivery person, including those from FedEx, UPS, Amazon, and grocery or takeout delivery services. They may leave their packages on the dresser in the air lock.
Never prop open doors, even for people doing work on your unit, unless you can personally see the open doorway at all times. You should instead provide that service worker with a spare key that they return to you when work is complete.
If you fail to follow these rules, your phone number may be removed from the intercom's directory.
INSTRUCTIONS
To use the intercom box, visitors can dial the four digit extension next to your name. You will receive a call from the intercom company. You should speak to the person over the microphone on the bo to verify that you know the person, then give access to the building by dialing 9 on your phone. A quiet click will indicate that the door is unlocked.
Garbage & Recycling
While most buildings around us have an outdoor dumpster, we are very fortunate to have a trash chute on each floor located behind a door at the northeast corner of the building. Please follow these rules to avoid fines from our trash and recycling provider:
All trash must be disposed of in a trash bag that has been tied shut.
Do not leave any large items in the trash room. You must make alternate plans to dispose of items that cannot fit in a trash bag. You can schedule a pickup with Lansing's Habitat for Humanity ($20 fee), drive your items to the local Goodwill (free), or schedule a pickup with a local trash company like Dumparoo (variable rate).
Recycling bins are located in the basement. Please break down all boxes and follow the signs posted on what is allowed to be recycled.
Laundry
There are two laundry rooms on the second and third floors across from the elevator. Please avoid using these rooms from 10 pm to 8 am as they share a wall with units. If there are any issues with the washers or dryers, please submit a maintenance request.
Maintenance
We do not have a maintenance staff. If work needs to be done, we hire contractors.
If you have a maintenance request for a building element that is the HOA's responsibility, please let the board know. If you are looking for contractors to do work on your unit who have experience in our building, you can contact a board member to see if they might have a personal, unofficial recommendation.
Parking
Each unit is allowed to have up to two personal vehicles on the premises, including the one parked in their garage or carport. The building has 60 units and only 21 garages. All garages must be owned by a unit co-owner. All other units are grated a carport by the HOA.
There are 3 parking spots located at the entrance to the building for 1-hour parking. These spots are meant for deliveries, service people, and emergency vehicles. Those who do not respect the 1-hour limit may be towed without notice at the owner's expense.
According to a City of East Lansing's Ordinance, all cars parked in the parking lot must be in working order (no flat tires) and have current tags and plates.
According to Article VI, Section 8 of the By-Laws, recreational vehicles and trailers are not allowed unless the board provides temporary approval.
Pets
We all love our pets at Brentwood! Please register your pet(s) by filling out the Pet Registration form and sending it to brentwoodparkcondominiums@gmail.com.
According to Article VI, Section 5 of the By-Laws:
Your pet must be registered with the board and Ingham County.
The board may require proof of the pets' vaccinations at any time.
Pets must be kept on leash by a responsible adult while on the common elements of the property.
Pets cannot be tied up, kept in a pen, or let off-leash while outside.
Pets cannot be obnoxious because of noise, smell, or unsanitary conditions. Occasional barking is understandable, but if barking becomes a frequent and continued, you may receive a warning or fine.
You must immediately pick up your pet's waste. A pet waste station is located on the West side of the building with pet waste bags and a trash can. If your pet has an accident in the hallways or elevator, please clean the mess by at least blotting the spot dry and cleaning it with dish detergent and warm water right away.
Renters & Other Non-Owning Residents
PERMITTED USE (Article VI, Section 1 of the By-Laws)
Units are only designated for single-family use. We use the City of East Lansing's definition of "family."
POTENTIAL RENTAL UNITS (Article VI, Section 2, Part A of the By-Laws)
If you (the co-owner) are not living in your unit, you may need a rental license. You should check with the City of East Lansing to know whether you need a rental license.
The board cannot approve more than ten units to be rented out at one time, except under a few specified circumstances (see Part B). If you are interested in getting a rental license, please check with the board to find out if less than 10 units currently have rental licenses.
Before you apply to the City for a rental license, you will need written approval from the Board of Directors. You should email your application to brentwoodparkcondominiums@gmail.com to request approval.
If you purchased a unit with a rental license, you must ask to the board for written approval to retain the rental license before renting your unit
CURRENT RENTAL UNITS (Article VI, Section 2, Part C(1) of the By-Laws)
You must submit a copy of the lease to brentwoodparkcondominiums@gmail.com for the board to review at least 10 days before you show it to a potential renter. The board must approve the lease agreement before the potential renter can sign it.
Promptly send a copy of the signed lease to brentwoodparkcondominiums@gmail.com after it has been signed by the renter.
If you do not live in the unit you are renting, you must keep the board informed of your current correct address and phone number.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the board revoking your permission to hold a rental license here.
Storage Units
Almost every unit has a storage unit in the basement. Contact a board member to locate it.
Tornados & Power Outages
The basement is the safest place in the case of a severe storm or tornado.
If there is a power outage, the emergency lights in the hallways will turn on. You can call the Lansing Board of Water and Light (877-295-5001) or report and track the outage on their website.
Water Leaks
Contact APM immediately at 810-539-8005 if you find a leak in your unit or someone else's who is not home.
If there is an active leak where water is flooding the unit, you should turn off your unit's water. Your water shutoff valve is likely located in your laundry closet, although not all units have a water shutoff valve. If you have a gate valve (a circular handle that you rotate clockwise to turn off), make sure that you turn the valve slowly, otherwise it could break in the on position. If you have a ball valve, just gently turn the valve 90 degrees to turn off the water.
If you have their contact information or know where they live, you should also notify a board member. Otherwise, APM will notify the board so that cleanup and mold remediation steps can be taken immediately.
Wifi
Wi-Fi is available in the library and common room for all residents.
NETWORK: Brentwood
PASSWORD: Brentwood338
Workout Room
There is a workout room located in the northeast corner of the first floor for all residents. Be courteous of residents who live near this room by not using the equipment after 10 pm or before 8 am. Please sanitize the workout equipment after each use. You can let a board member know if the sanitizing wipes have run out.
Note: This webpage explains some of our FAQs by explaining important rules, but it is not exhaustive. Please refer to the Amended By-Laws and Master Deed for a full explanation of our rules.