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## § 55.1-1956 – Control of common elements

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A. Except to the extent prohibited, restricted, or limited by the condominium instruments, the unit owners’ association shall have the power to:

1. Employ, dismiss, and replace agents and employees to exercise and discharge the powers and responsibilities of the association arising under § 55.1-1955;

2. Make or cause to be made additional improvements on and as a part of the common elements;

3. Grant or withhold approval of any action by one or more unit owners or other persons entitled to the occupancy of any unit that would change the exterior appearance of any unit or of any other portion of the condominium, or elect or provide for the appointment of an architectural control committee, the members of which must have the same qualifications as officers, to grant or withhold such approval; and

4. Acquire, hold, convey, and encumber title to real property, including condominium units, whether or not the association is incorporated.

B. Except to the extent prohibited, restricted, or limited by the condominium instruments, the executive board of the unit owners’ association, if any, and if not, then the unit owners’ association itself, has the irrevocable power as attorney-in-fact on behalf of all the unit owners and their successors in title with respect to the common elements, including the right, in the name of the unit owners’ association, to (i) grant easements through the common elements and accept easements benefiting all or any portion of the condominium; (ii) assert, through litigation or otherwise, defend against, compromise, adjust, and settle any claims or actions related to common elements, other than claims against or actions involving the declarant during any period of declarant control reserved pursuant to subsection A of § 55.1-1943; and (iii) apply for any governmental approvals under state and local law.

C. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the grant by the condominium instruments of other powers and responsibilities to the unit owners’ association or its executive board.