Likely Condo Plumbing Issues and How to Avoid Them (IL)

One of the burdens that accompanies home ownership is plumbing issues. Condo plumbing issues are particularly destructive because they can not only affect the home where the event occurred, but surrounding homes as well. We interviewed Eric Stein of One Stop Contractors to hear first hand the biggest plumbing concerns for condo associations, and best […]

Problem Solved: An Elevator Modernization Takes a Nasty Twist (NY)

One of our recent jobs is a really beautiful high-end building down in Tribeca. It’s a $1.4 million job — a four-car, four-passenger elevator group modernization. They were all overhead traction elevators, 2,500-pound capacity each, which is pretty normal, especially in a building that size. It was four 34-story elevators all in line, pretty much […]

Condo association lags on maintenance

Q: Hi, I live in a condo that I’m confident is not being cared for properly and I need some information, please, on what to ask for with regard to better maintenance not only from our board of directors, but then also with the management company.     Read the Q&A……………………………….

Condo and HOA Common Elements: Who is Responsible?

Maintenance responsibilities in condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations are not always clear. Is the association or is the unit owner responsible in the event of a repair issue? Who is responsible for a maintenance issue involving a common element?   Read the article………………………..

Tips for Maintaining Your HOA’s Common Areas

Oftentimes, the look and feel of a community significantly impact a person’s decision to buy a house in the neighborhood. Neighborhoods with community associations often have a better look and feel.   Read the article………………………..

Are Dirty Dryer Vents Posing A Safety Risk to Your Community?

Laundry rooms and dirty dryer vents alone are responsible for thousands of house fires each year, costing up to $75,000,000 worth of damage to people’s homes.  These fires are responsible for ruining many lives and causing millions of dollars worth of property damage. These fires stem from the flammability of dryer lint, which can quickly […]

Broken elevator keeps disabled residents trapped at home (CO)

The Problem Solvers were called back out to the Bayberry Condominiums in Aurora following our story on a broken elevator back at the end of August. Residents had asked for help since the elevator then had been broken going on six weeks.   Read the article………………………..

Condo and HOA Maintenance: Who is Responsible?

There are many benefits to being a member of a condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community association. By paying assessments, unit owners share the cost for a variety of association expenses including common area maintenance (ex. lobbies, hallways, elevators), amenities (ex. club house, gym, pool), landscaping, utilities, and more.   Read the article………………………..

Is Your Community Association in Need of Major Repairs?

Completing repairs and capital improvements helps maintain property values and enhance the community. If your association is considering a major repair project, it’s important to know what financing options are available.   Read the article………………………..

Tragedies Place Focus On Condominium Model’s Flaws

More than 14 months after the shocking Champlain Towers South condominium tower collapse in Surfside, Fla., many condominium owners lack clarity about the role of condominium associations and owners in preventing future such tragedies.  Read the article………………………..

Leaking water main at Worcester condo complex finally fixed, a month later (MA)

A water main on West Mountain Street that has been leaking for a month was fixed on Monday, the city confirmed.  “The leak was fixed Aug. 22 by a contractor hired by the condominium association,” city spokesman Robert Burgess said in an email on Tuesday. “The condo association is paying the contractor for fixing the […]

Broken elevator forces older residents to the stairs (CO)

The Problem Solvers were contacted by multiple residents at the Bayberry Condominiums in Aurora because they say the elevator in the building has been broken for nearly six weeks.  “Many of us are seniors. We don’t walk very well,” said Geoffrey Jones, who has owned his condo in the building for 15 years.    Read the […]

Tips for Streamlining Your Community’s Projects

With budget season upon us, it’s important to think about upcoming projects for the next year. Does your community need to update the clubhouse? Spruce up the landscaping? Repair the pool? Now’s the time to jumpstart these projects! Join us below for some tips to streamline the process.   Read the article………………………..

Condominium Repairs: Who Is Responsible? Condo Owners Or The COA

Condominium repairs are an inevitable part of condo ownership. But, not all elements of a condo unit fall under the responsibility of the owner. Sometimes, the condo association is on the hook for maintenance and repairs.  Read the article………………………..

Maintenance and Insurance Charts

An association’s maintenance and insurance obligations are typically set forth in the association’s covenants. However, in many instances, simply reading the maintenance and insurance provisions of the declaration will not give boards or managers clear answers. Often times, provisions of the declaration must be cross referenced and read in conjunction, and statutes consulted, before an […]

Tips for Reviewing Construction Contracts for Your HOA

A former construction company executive earned a 15 years prison sentence for his role in a scheme to control homeowners associations and took $58 million fraudulently. Often, homeowners association board members fall into the trap of inadvertently and unknowingly signing biased construction contracts.   Read the article………………………..

High-Rise Maintenance Tips Your HOA Should Follow

High-rise buildings have unique and sometimes challenging maintenance obligations. An essential responsibility of the association is to ensure that the community is maintained to the highest possible standard, focusing on safety and appearance.   Read the article………………………..

HOA Roof Replacement Guidelines To Follow

Living in a homeowners association comes with plenty of advantages, such as improved curb appeal and increased property values. But, it also means having to adhere to the community’s rules and seek approval for architectural changes. This includes an HOA roof replacement.   Read the article…………………………

New Federal Proposal Would Help Condos Finance Critical Repairs

This week, Reps. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) introduced H.R. 8304, the Rapid Financing for Critical Condo Repairs Act of 2022, legislation that allows the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Federal Housing Administration to insure condominium association building rehabilitation loans made by private lenders.   Read the article……………………………

The Association’s Duty to Maintain, Repair, and Replace: Adequate Assessment and Planning (MI)

Whether your community is a condominium, subdivision, or you live in a cooperative, one of the most important functions of your association is to plan for an execute repairs and maintenance of common elements, areas, or assets. This requires money, which almost always comes solely from the assessment of member homeowners.   Read the article…………………………………

Who is responsible for repairing damaged insulation in a condominium?

Q: My condominium association has repeatedly repaired our roof. It has also paid for repainting parts of the ceiling in my unit on multiple occasions. I live on the top floor of a five-story building.  Whose responsibility is it to replace rain-damaged ceiling insulation?    Read the Q&A……………………………….

What is HOA Preventative Maintenance

Preventative maintenance refers to the routine maintenance tasks performed on the Association’s physical assets and mechanical equipment components. Preventative maintenance is performed to help extend the life of the different assets and equipment within the community’s property, decrease repair costs, and prevent the likelihood of equipment failure and unplanned downtime.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Summer Maintenance Tasks For HOAs To Focus On (IL)

Warmer temperatures took a little longer this year, but it’s finally here! This is a great time for your HOA to tick a few maintenance tasks off their to-do list to ensure that your condo community’s shared areas are all in top shape for summer. Read the entire article……………………………….

HOA Vs. Condo Owner Repairs: Who’s Responsible For What? (IL)

Many individuals and families in Chicago choose condo life because of the benefits of living in a community with a homeowners association. One of the main perks is knowing that a portion of the upkeep will be taken care of by the HOA. But what portion exactly? Understanding what your responsibility is as a condo […]

Who Repairs the Incidental Damages Caused by the Association? (FL)

Imagine: the association has just informed you it is set to begin a massive concrete restoration project. As part of the project, the contractor will need access to the rebar beneath the concrete slab connected to (or in legalese, “appurtenant to”) your unit’s balcony. To access the balcony slab, the contractor will have to remove […]

Keys to Creating a Comprehensive Community Maintenance Plan

As an elected leader of a condominium corporation, you know that running a community involves much more than hosting events, attending board meetings, and building relationships with homeowners. Overseeing maintenance, including ensuring grounds are kept clean, facilities operational, and components working, is a big part of the job, too. Having a plan in place is […]

How to Run a Successful Capital Improvement Project for Community Associations – A Best Practices Primer for Board Members and Property Managers (IL)

Now that Spring is come it is time to switch gears from hunkering down and weathering Old Man Winter to planning for successful capital improvement projects.  Capital improvement projects are the most expensive undertakings for a community association. As a result, associations must ensure that there is professional oversight every step of the way from […]

Tips for Pool Season

Although it’s pool season year round in South Florida, it’s also helpful to follow these tips as the weather heats up and we see an influx of more residents and guests. The following tips will guide you when keeping your pool area safe.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Avoid the Collapse of Deferred Maintenance (CA)

By now, most have seen the awful images of the collapsed Champlain Towers which resulted in nearly 100 deaths, countless injuries, property damage and unanswered questions about how this could have happened. While not every case of deferred maintenance has such catastrophic results, the Bay Area is not without its own examples.   Read the entire […]

Preventative Maintenance for Water Management (CO)

Preventative maintenance for water management around commercial and residential buildings is commonly overlooked unless an active leak is occurring from a roof or from a lower level basement area. Active water intrusion issues are primarily due to the lack of preventative maintenance on the exterior of the building. These overlooked conditions typically exist at the […]

Maintenance Now, or Disaster Later?

Many homeowners association boards shy away from addressing day-to-day maintenance needs and may be unwilling to spend assessment funds for preventative maintenance. That apprehension is often motivated by a genuine desire to keep HOA dues low or simply due to indecision from a good faith desire to make only the right decisions. Whatever the motivation, […]

Spring has Sprung: Spring Maintenance Tips for Condo Corporations (ON)

Spring is the time of the year when homeowners clear out the old, and make space for the new. The same can be said for condominium corporations. Spring is the best time to tackle maintenance issues in the building. As the snow recedes, the evidence of needed work becomes apparent. Typically, there are 2 categories […]

Beloved Carolina Beach condos return to action after battle with ‘salt, rain and wind’ (NC)

One longtime Carolina Beach condo complex is wrapping up repairs after a routine inspection last summer revealed “dangerous” corrosion in the building’s stairwells.  Read the entire article……………………………….While the Pelican Watch condo complex was deemed structurally sound last August, engineers also found substantial corrosion where the stairs attached to the main structure, said Ron Hagner, president […]

How to Create a Comprehensive Community Maintenance Plan

A structured community maintenance plan guides community owners in their property management. Cleaning schedules, routine inspections, upkeep, and major outage strategies are part of the maintenance plan.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Maintaining Aging Buildings – Older Structures Have Special Concerns

Nothing lasts forever, even with good maintenance—including most building components. Exterior elements are perhaps most subject to wear and tear in any climate. Their construction and material type dictate their maintenance needs and repair schedules; masonry façades clearly have different needs than wood or clapboard fronts. But with a good care program and a bit […]

Building Inspections – Up & Down, Inside & Out

Car owners know that in order to operate their vehicle legally, they must have it professionally inspected every year. An older car might need some relatively minor repairs or adjustments to bring it into compliance with state emissions requirements, but for most, getting that mandatory approval sticker is a simple, inexpensive, predictable process that takes […]

HOA Inspection Checklist

An HOA inspection checklist is a valuable tool for community managers and Board members. It can help you keep track of the condition of the community, identify any potential problems, and make sure that all areas are being regularly inspected.    Read the entire article……………………………….

How to Get Out in Front of Emergency Maintenance in Residential Buildings

At one point or another, every home needs a little bit of attention. Maybe the door sticks during the summer months. Maybe the shower drips. While these issues all need to be resolved, you wouldn’t describe any of them as urgent. But every once in a while, a home will have a time-sensitive issue where […]

What to do about cracked (parking) ramp?

Question: Robert, I live in Santa Clarita in a homeowner’s association where I am a board member. We have a parking ramp, which takes us down inside our garage. I’ve submitted photos to show two cracks on top of the ramp and the bottom. There is water entering these cracks, causing leaks to the below […]

Condo Board Goes in for Early Detection of Water Leaks (NY)

Ask any co-op or condo board member or their property manager to name the biggest headache they get from their building, and the answer is guaranteed: water leaks. Whether it comes through the building envelope or passes from one apartment to another (or many), water is Enemy No. 1. A condo board in Toronto — […]

Don’t Let a Burst Pipe Burst Your Bubble (IL)

With Chicago weather at full force, it is inevitable that condominiums, townhome associations and homeowner associations will be confronted with burst pipes and the subsequent damage. As a means of preparation, please review the steps below so you can be ready for when a pipe bursts your bubble.    Read the entire article……………………………….

HOA Homefront: Tips before starting major repairs on your community (CA)

One of the greatest challenges HOAs periodically face is major reconstruction.  Whether a new roof, balcony rehabilitation or other major repairs, the typical volunteer board and professional manager are not regularly involved in hiring for such work. Therefore, many potential pitfalls can contribute to extra costs or risks. Before sending the contract to legal counsel […]

5 Community Maintenance Tips for Long-term Success

Homeowners trust board members to keep the community adequately maintained and habitable at all times for the benefit of all the members. However, it is essential to understand that achieving a well-maintained and active community goes beyond cleaning the compound and planting flowers- you are required to safeguard the amenities therein to ensure they serve […]