Apartment dwellers may want to get into the Christmas spirit by hanging lights on their balcony, but they should be aware that their building's management association may have rules that prescribe if and how they can hang lights.

While you have exclusive ownership of the inside of your apartment, your balcony is technically part of the building's public space with usage rights granted to the apartment owner. As such, owners and tenants must follow the rules for the use of balconies which are set out in the management agreement.

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