Shared yards or decks (percentage, fee, house hunting, owners)

[Alinka]

On so many house hunting shows I hear that yards, and more commonly, decks, are "shared". My question is about who decides how and when they are used, especially in smaller buildings. For example, if four units share a rooftop deck is their time split? by days? hours? by reservation? What is someone wants to sit out and quietly read, can another resident come in with ten guests and have a party? play music?

Or, is it shared by space, with each resident having a certain area, seen or not seen by others?

[George Chong]

Shared spaces are usually common areas meaning that everyone owns a percentage of ownership of the space. In many of the rooftop decks that I have seen in Atlanta are first come first served. There is no stopping a resident that is sun bathing quietly and then have a second resident come with a group of people and hanging out.

Each HOA has their own rules regarding the use of club rooms and common spaces. Some are open to all members without a fee but the reserving of the club room and the use of the catering kitchen are usually reserved for a fee.

[Alinka]

Now a big rooftop deck would be one thing, but as you described it, that does not seem like much of a plus. At least it does not seem practical to plan anything private on a shared deck. I'd rather have a tiny little deck or patio for me and me alone. I imagine that some buildings have that and then a rooftop deck as well for a pool and views.

Thank you for explaining it.