Windows and window screens are homeowner responsibility to maintain and repair. If windows are replaced, they must be aesthetically identical to the original windows.
Category: Maintenance - MC22
Is a sewer back-up or plumbing leak the association’s responsibility?
Sewer back-ups and plumbing leaks are a homeowner responsibility to repair to the extent they serve one unit. If the issue exists at a point that serves more than one unit, it becomes the association’s responsibility, most often with sewer back-ups that cause flooding in more than one unit. If a leak or back-up from one unit affects another unit, that is a matter between the homeowners to resolve. Depending on the extent of damage, both owners are encouraged to inquire with their insurance agents as to whether filing a claim is appropriate. Management can help facilitate getting neighbors in touch with each other but in most cases cannot become directly involved in making the repairs or arbitrating responsibility for damages.
Sometimes, especially when a leak or back-up is affecting more than one unit, it can be difficult to tell if the source is a single unit’s plumbing or if it is something common. In this case, management may call a plumber at the association’s expense, but if it is later determined one unit was the cause of the problem, the costs may be assessed back to that unit owner. To prevent this possibility, please investigate any leaks or back-ups as best you can before calling management. Check with your neighbors as well.
Is the association responsible to fix my roof leak?
The question arises often as to why, if the association is responsible for the roof it is not responsible for damage to the interior caused by a roof leak. Remember, the association is not some third-party entity. As a homeowner, you are a member of the association. You pay assessments to the association to cover the costs of some maintenance items for all homeowners collectively instead of individually. The association covers the cost of the roof repairs via the money from those assessments because the governing documents for the association states it must. The governing documents do not specify the association is responsible for your interior. Just because one leads to the other does not mean it extends responsibilities beyond what the governing documents state.
I submitted a maintenance request, but there’s been no progress, or it’s taking a long time to complete. Why?
Different types of requests may take different timeframes to complete. Some types of contractors are quick to respond, while others may be scheduled out for a couple of weeks. Some items are seasonal and must be done at an appropriate time of year.
The primary reason for delays, however, are when costs exceed what we as management are allowed to spend without board approval or if your need is relatively common and will be combined with other similar needs to save the association money and keep your association assessments as low as possible. A frequent example of this is tree trimming and removal, as it is very expensive to trim or remove one tree and it’s far more cost effective if we handle several at once.
You are welcome to inquire with us about your specific issue, but these are the most common reasons delays may occur.
How do I submit a maintenance request?
Aside from contacting our office, you can log into your Resident Center account and click on Requests in the menu. You can also do so without an account by clicking here.