Posted on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 @ 08:03 AM
Our condo has been paying for window replacements. I am not sure this has lead to the best use of funds. I was wondering how other associations deal with this issue. Do owners normally pay for this or does the association? We also are at a point where the current windows are a style that is not energy efficient and we may need to go with a different style. So, my last question is, when choosing a company and window to go with what have been some things that have worked and not worked?
Posted on Fri, Feb 01, 2013 @ 09:56 AM
We are a small 29 unit condo association. We have had an issue with unauthorized repairs to common areas (inside the unit but defined as such) after severe weather. There was a disagreement between the owner and president if it was authorized, so we would like to tighten up this in the future. Does anyone have an emergency repair policy for their association or suggestions for this issue? thanks.
Posted on Mon, Jan 28, 2013 @ 05:04 AM
I am in Illinois. We own a condo. The condo is on a crawl space. The steel support column is sitting on a piece of rotted wood (which has collapsed) and therefore, now sitting on gravel, which is over dirt. This should be sitting on a concrete pad, not dirt. The steel support columns have both given way and the condo unit is now sinking about 2 inches. This has done substantial damage to the interior of our unit. The condo association says that the damage on my unit is my responsibility. Is that true? I can not imagine that a common element that has given way and caused damage to my unit would be my responsibility. None of this is an insurance claim. I don't see in the IL Condominium Act where damage to unit from common element is addressed.
Posted on Sun, Jan 13, 2013 @ 10:58 AM
My condo has a significant foundation problem. The property manager told me after looking at the cracks in my walls that I needed a new door hinge. He sent out a foundation "expert" who said I had no foundation problem. I finally had to hire my own structural engineer and present a report to the association board before they finally agreed there was a problem. Now, the issue is that they have to come into my unit and dig up my kitchen floor and possibly go into the wall to place the piers to make the foundation repairs. They are saying that putting the floor and the wall back to how it is now will be all MY responsibility - even if they are incidental to the repairs. I have repeatedly asked for them to show me in the bylaws where it says that it is my responsibility if the damage to my floor and wall is part of the repair. They only say that the interior is my responsibility. Their attorney has lied to me - telling me that I would pay for 50% of those repairs - when I asked for documentation, he said he never said that. Am I wrong to continue asking them for documentation? Is there anything that states what a "repair" includes? We have been going back and forth for 3+ months now, and they are now threatening to forcibly enter my unit to make the repairs, saying it is a common area and they don't need my authorization. What can I do?
Posted on Fri, Jan 11, 2013 @ 08:05 AM
I am on the board of an association in the south suburbs of Chicago. Recently, it was discovered that some kind of rodent chewed through the air conditioner wiring inside the wall of one of the units. The homeowner, of course, feels that chewed wiring is not her responsibility and this should be the responsibility of the association because she got a quote and the AC company wants $350 to fix it, but most of the board feels differently. Our buildings are of the townhouse variety and each unit is responsible for their own unit. The air conditioners were not included in the base price of the unit, and were installed during construction as an extra cost option. How does that work when it comes to wiring inside an outside wall that is damaged? Our governing documents only say that the AC is unit owner responsibility. Thanks, Howard
Posted on Fri, Jan 04, 2013 @ 08:27 AM
My 220 unit condo association has a number of washer hose floods causing thousands of dollars in damages. The board wants to implement an efficient, economical program to install new hoses in each unit. They've heard conflicting opinions on how to accomplish this and what brand of replacement hoses to use. We'd appreciate your input.
Posted on Wed, Dec 26, 2012 @ 06:51 AM
I live in a condo that stormwater enters the crawlspace. I believe that water coming down the hill has found a vein in the dirt. It goes under dirt, under retaining wall, under patio and foundation and bubbles up into crawlspace. Our CR&R's lists the foundation,support beams and posts, blocks etc as common elements. I have sent the Association several letters asking them to fix problem. They said unit owners fix under the unit and they take care of the outside.In 2009 they spent $35000 on drainage issues for the center units. Nowhere in the cc&r does it say that we are responsible for under the unit. I told them that unless it is raining under my unit they need to stop water from coming in. Now they say I have to go door to door to get people to vote in my favor. It could take 2 years. BUT they sent a contractor over to fix the rotton post in the crawlspace caused by high water. Who is responsible? also the Board Pres. works for the landscape Co. that they switched to. He is the business manager. Is that legal
Posted on Thu, Nov 15, 2012 @ 06:57 AM
We had a leak in our shed roof in July of 2011 and had to do an emergency repair with shingle replacement. The only permissable color for our roofs was not available as it was no longer being produced. In January of 2012 I was given notice that the shingles had to be replaced with the only color (again, not available) or I would be fined. The HOA assured me they would look for the shingles and let me know if they located some. They have not and then in July of 2012 it was decided we could have a second color used on our roofs. This is a year later. Can they really make me change the shingles now? A year later?
Posted on Fri, Oct 05, 2012 @ 08:10 AM
Do special assessments have to be for a specific common area maintenance project? Our board charged home owners with a $1900 special assessment because 50% of the units were not paying their monthly dues. I have refused to pay this assessment and now I am being sent collection letters stating that they will place a lien on my property. I have requested to see the minutes time and time again to determine the purpose of the assessment but have been ignored. What are my rights?
Posted on Mon, Sep 24, 2012 @ 08:15 AM
I need advice as to how to resolve an ongoing issue. I own a condo and am part of an association. According to our bylaws, the basement and landscape/exterior is a part of our "common area". The crawl space directly below my unit has a moisture problem. It NEVER dries out. It is causing a mildew smell in my bedrooms. I, personally, installed a dehumidifier but it has done no good. The smell is still there. I've contacted my board numerous times over the past SIX years! Nothing has been done. They did have two guys come out last fall. They dug up the yard but I'm not sure what else they did. I asked upon their arrival and was shunned like a six-year old. I've asked since and no one will answer me. It is clearly a landscape issue. That and our "handy man" has installed sprinklers that shoot straight into both crawl space vents. I am beyond frustrated and have no idea where to turn to get help in lighting their fire to fix this ongoing issue. The latest word was they were going to hire a plumber to check for leaks. Please, someone, give me a lead as to where to go next.