Condo Association Management Blog

The primary answer is contained in your legal documents for the condo.  
 
The descriptions for "common elements," "limited common elements," and "unit" are the defining language. It is common for a condo unit owner to be responsible for items serving a single unit such as your water supply.  
 
However, some states have enacted language that states the condo is responsible for repairs to all items affecting all or any unit. For instance, MD permits the condo to only charge the owner for the deductible up to $1,000.  
 
After reading your condo legal documents, check the state Condo Act. Then follow up with the insurance agent - hoping you have HO6 policy. If so, your insurance coverage may apply.  
 
If you don't have HO6 - obtain it now for the future.  

Your declaration should give a description of what yours and what is theres, usually fixtures are yours and water lines are theres. But you would be required to fix the sheet rock because that is yours, i believe thats a standard. depends on how your Condo rules, declarations are written up.

I am the original poster. 
 
The condo documents state that the water lines serving one unit exclusively are the responsibility of the unit owner. The surface of the wall also belongs to the unit owner, but not the bulk of the wall. However, as the property manager explained, because the damage to the wall was caused by the pipe that is my responsibility, it is also my responsibility to repair the wall. No question there. 
 
My question is do I have to reimburse the association for the plumber's bill? The bill is addressed to the managing company, and has already been paid by the managing company two month ago. I am confused why all of a sudden two months later the association now wants me to compensate it.

Yes, you must reimburse the association, otherwise they can lein and foreclose on your unit. If you dont have all the money contact them for payment arrangements. You are responsible for repairs to your water line as you stated above.

To Realist: 
 
Would it be prudent to confirm that the plumbing company would have charged me (as individual) the same amount as the billed to the association? Because I suspect that the numbers would be quite different, the number billed to the corporate entity being higher. I also have a note from the property manager saying that the contractors the association is using are significantly more expensive than equivalent contractors I could hire myself. I actually have that in writing, from when I asked her what the quote was for repairing the wall. (The building handyman actually brought the drywall contractors to get an estimate, because he, too, assumed that the association would be responsible for the repair.) 
 
Thank you for answering!

What is an HO6 as compared to any other condo insurance? 
 
Many thanks.

IMO the association insurance may have covered the charges (except for the deductible). If not, check with your insurance to see if they would cover this claim. Either way, you should only be responsible for the deductible amount - that's what insurance is for! 
 
If this were an emergent situation, they may have hired the first place that could respond to the location. If not, they should be getting at least three estimates for the work before proceeding.

If you are in a condo where the water bill is paid by the association and your share included in your dues, It is hard to believe that the water line in discussion was an exclusive line run to your unit alone.

Also, consider what happens when your drains get backed up. 
 
if the back up occurs before the junction where everyone ties in, you are responsible. 
 
If the pipe serves only your unit or that part of the pipe then it is on you. 
 
I have a similar situation where a common facet for all 4 condos runs through my wall. if the pipe breaks its on them. How would you know if the hoa decides to pay the plumber to state that it was my pipe instead? 
 

Two meter panels located on the outside of our bldg were tampered with one is mine. Assoc had to repair and replace all panels because they were older style. Condo is now billing me for my unit and my neighbors unit. Is this correct?

To Howard: 
 
Yes, the association pays the water bill; it comes out of our assessment. The pipe in question connects the water main to my bathroom sink. The leak was in one of the junctions. If it were in the water main, it would have been the association's responsibility. But because the leaky pipe was connecting my sink it is deemed exclusive to my unit, and makes me responsible for the repair, according to the property manager. 
 
To Mike: 
 
Funny thing is that the plumber's report does not mention that the pipe is exclusive to my unit. It appears that the property manager had written in that part herself because the handwriting is different. 
 
To Suzanne: 
 
I can see them billing you for your panel, but why for your neighbor's? Does not make sense.

Please help, I need advice to deal with the HOA. I rented out a 1 bedroom condo to a tenant who do not complain or report any leaks. On last Monday The HOA called me and stated that there's a leaking in our bathroom that possibly cause water damage to the next door unit. Upon cheecking they claimed that the problem came from the failing copper pipe connection to the tubspout/stopper outside our shower wall. The copper piping and pvc drain beind/under tub appear to be in order. It turns out that the next door owner had been reporting and complaining to HOA about that water damage in his bathroom since at least two months ago and HOA thought it was the A/C leakage which was fixed but the water damage was continuing and the HOA did not respond to it. The next door owner finally opened up his own wall and found the leak which was reported to HOA. Then HOA contacted me and demand a full payment for damages caused by my unit. My questions are what are the average normal/ standard peiod of time that the HOA must attend / respond to the problem because if HOA respond quickly there'll be no substantial water damage incurred. The other question is if there's no leak visible on our unit then how do we determine any possible problem in the future ? Thank you.

interested on the advice, as i really don't have any.

Water pipe above the ceiling in my condo unit started leaking and damaged ceiling. HOA called plumber and fixed it. Cost maybe $500. To establish whose pipe, i.e. (exclusiviley serving a single unit) it took 1/2 day raising bill to $1400. I can accept pay ofr repeair but what about establishing identity.