Pop star Madonna is suing the board of her Upper West Side (NY) co-op building, claiming the board illegally changed the terms of her lease on her $7.3 million pad to deny access to the apartment for her children or domestic help while she is out of town.

According to news reports, the board of One West 64th Street recently changed the terms of its lease agreements to ban anyone under 16 years old from living in an apartment unless someone over the age of 21 years old is in the residence. Madonna, who claims her world-renowned recording artist status keeps her constantly on tours and around the world, is demanding that the judge void the new lease terms and allow her housekeepers, nannies and four children - Lourdes (20), Rocco (16), David (11), and Mercy James (10) - to stay home while she is traveling.

In an affidavit filed in the case, Madonna referred to her unit as "home," adding that she purchased the apartment in 2008 and "[a]t this time I was, and still am, a world-known performing artist. At the time One West knew or should have known I traveled extensively and owned other residences. One West knew that I would not be physically present at all time."

Madonna further claims she is being denied the use of the apartment and that she has had to pay for alternate housing during the time of the dispute.

The housing board has asked the court to throw out the lawsuit, noting, among other defenses, that Madonna has made no effort to establish the home as a "primary residence." Madonna also owns a house on East 81st Street that is valued at $32.5 million. The board, which says the rules apply to everyone in the building, is asking that Madonna pay all of its legal fees.

—Source: dailymail.com