@Rhodie said:
This is compounded by the owner having recently purchased the unit. Previous owner/tenant could have removed the closer.
If the closer was removed by the previous owner or one of the previous owner’s tenants then the current owner can’t be held liable for its replacement. Unless you can prove it was the current owner who removed it, the liability falls back on the Owners Corp (as it should, for failure to inspect and maintain common property fire safety installations).