Many times when describing a condo, I have heard the description, the homeowner owns everything inside the paint. The association owns, and here I am defining “owns” to describe who’s responsible for repairs, the outside paint and of course the commons. Associations are willing to maintain the “commons including painting the doors and walls. Here is the rub: there are lots of things between the paint, in the walls.
In the case I am investigating, the pest operator has called the threshold, door, and door jam as rotting with dry rot, and needs to be removed. He tells the buyer that the subflooring inside the unit feels okay. No rot detected with his probe.
So first, it is moisture that has caused the damage that came from outside, and secondly, it is a particular type of door. The door has windows top to bottom, and is a custom size, smaller then average, and probably requires an association design review to replace with another “look”.
I have learned that in some associations where the door is attached to a townhouse, the association will pay for the door jam and frame, but the actual door is the owner’s responsibility. In other cases where the condo has a specific look, as in this case, the association will own the whole thing as they require a specific type of door.
One more thing for a buyer to think about when purchasing a condo or townhouse, as there is no clear cut answer, unless it is addressed in the association bylaws. Besides doors and windows, there is plumbing, and electrical.
Does your homeowners insurance cover a plumbing leak from the bath tub above your unit? Not necessarily….
