COMMENTS
In our condo if the water has entered from the outside the association is 100 per cent responsible. We recently had this happen at our condo and the condo property manager took over the entire drying, replacement of wall board and carpet.
Read the condo documents. There is an insurance section that will tell the board what they must purchase and what it must cover. Often, I see the association must purchase insurance to rebuild the condo unit back to builder grade (carpeting not hardwood flooring). If you have documentation that the building had drainage issues and this was bought to the boards attention and no action was taken. You may have a liability case against the association for your damages. Often Condo buildings are built with residential rain gutters and they should have been built with larger commercial gutters.
Our association carries what is referred to as an HO-6 insurance policy. The owner is responsible for the deductible but it is only $500 and if they have insurance that covers contents their insurance can kick in for the deductible. The HO-6 covers pretty much everything except personal property. The associations documents also state that damage caused from outside water is the responsibility of the association.
I don't live in a condo so I cannot comment. However, I wanted to give my opinion regarding the manager's attitude in addressing this problem. The manager acts on the board's instructions; however, some manager's think they are the boss and will do as they please. I don't know how your board operates, but if the manager doesn't act as you think he/she should you should be dealing directly with the board.
In addition to reviewing your association bylaws get and read a copt of the Illinois State Condominium Act. Between those two documents you should be able to establish responsibility for damage repair responsibility to your water damage.
Had a similar problem and am in Illinois. The condo insurance covered all the damage - including my wood flooring. The association was responsible for the deductible required of the condo insurance. I paid nothing because none of it was caused by my individually owned portion; it was owned by the condo association. The responsibility falls on the responsible party.
I had notified the association months prior that the roof over my garage was leaking. They chose to ignore it. Once the big rains came my piano which was stored there was badly damaged. It is the associations responsibility to fix problems in a timely manner. They did not and were responsible for the damage.
I am responding to Leslie...a condo association does not carry the HO-6..that is the unit owner's coverage form. The association carries the master policy which is a commercial policy, and covers the exterior of the building to include roofs, gutters, downspouts, common elements. The HO-6 covers the unit from the studs in and the unit owner's personal property and personal liability.
I live in a condo building and since I have moved in (2009) I have been getting water damage during rain storms. I have documented each and every time it has occurred. I have repeatedly reported this to the front office/board. Initially they seemed helpful and explained that they were tuck-pointing my tier and the damage should be resolve after that. Well, in Oct. of 2010 another rain/snow storm revealed that the issue was not corrected. Again this past week, my unit was damaged in a storm, while attempting to correct the previous damage from last October. While the office continues to place blame on unit owners above me, my unit is still being damaged. I am convinced that this is a structural problem and the association is responsible. What is my best course of action at this point?
Jessica, I am going thru the exact problem in my building. Maybe the same building haha. I have already pulled an insurance claim on my unit because of severe mold problems of where the rain water was coming in. The assication said they fixed in repeatedly by sealing windows above my unit and it hasnt stopped leaking into my condo. It has gotten to the point where I have called an attorney to handle the situation. This is due to a bylaw stating I cannot go after another condo owner for damages in my unit which I know the association will try to blame it on. What I want out of them is to have a professional company come out and find where the water is coming in throughout the entire building. There are several unit owners who have my issue as well. It frustrating because I feel like I dont have a voice or not taken seriously.
The drywall within any condo unit is covered by the association. Since the damage is not a result of neglect or intentional damage by any one owner the association is responsible to cover the damages/costs/repairs.
In my helpless time, you give me help. Sincerely thank you!!!!!
Damage caused by water is sometimes very severe. And if damaged property is insured prior then it is a right of the client to have the complete claim. And for those who don't insure their house and faced a water damage must call some professional plumber immediately so that the effect of the damage can be minimized.
HI all,my concern and big question to all is,I live in a complex of small 13 units.I have a bad board from not long ago, a guy who moved not long ago above me started construction with no permits, started taking his floors out wals etc, banging everyday like crazy, noises all around ok it was understandable.This building is 80 yr old, so wall didnt hold and cracked a lot because of my new neighbor,since he had no insurance I did but my insurance didnt pay anytihing because they said its association resposibility and neighbors, my assosiction said its not their problem and now whos right?i was left off with craks on my walls, craked ceiling all over my living room and kitchen.Please help.
Same issue in my building with two basement units and water damage. I know they've replaced their floors at least once after flooding. They never came to agreeance with the HOA on estimates for the damage so they've never gotten any money. Now they just refuse to pay HOA fees ever. Pretty riduculous situation and the HOA is preparing to lean their properties.
It seems like there should be some type of buyer beware in this siutation, especially with ground floor, below grade units. Did they not have an inspection? The floors had water damage when they moved in but they chose to ignore that and jump on the cheap price instead.
HELP sick from toxic dust in CONDO;
subfloor/slab foundation w/ ducts crumbling making us all very sick, dust everywhere & docs are saying & EPA this is so very toxic; WHO IS RESPONSIBLE for faulty bad concrete work; EXPERTS SAY FOUNDATION DUCT WORK SHOULD BE SEALED & NEW DUCTS INSTALLED; SUBFLOOR DUCT WORK BLOWS & WE ARE COVERED IN TOXIC DUST EVERYDAY IS THE ASSOCIATION RESPONSIBLE? MANY BUILDING WITH SAME ISSUES & WORSE, PLEASE HELP US!