In a condominium building, owners have exclusive control over the inside of their units. Some of the improvements and maintenance that they perform inside of their units may be governed by the rules and regulations of the condominium, but the financial responsibility for in-home maintenance activities lies solely with the homeowner. In the case of common areas, however, the condominium association has an affirmative duty and the financial responsibility to take care of problems. Many types of problems such as structural issues, mold, and pests need to be remedied by the association as soon as possible.
Structural Problems
When the flooring or doors within a common area need repair, the association should attempt to fix them as soon as possible. Any type of problem that creates a potential safety is hazard needs to be addressed especially urgently in order to avoid an accident or injury and a resulting claim against the association.
Mold
Condominiums that are located in regions where there is heavy humidity or frequent rain or snowfall are particularly susceptible to the development of mold inside of a common area. If you suspect that there may be mold present in the common area of the building, you need to investigate the issue right away. When you’re looking for a mold inspection Portland, you should work with an inspector who can help identify the probable source of the problem and produce a detailed mold report.
Pests
When there are pests present in the common area of a condominium, the infestation can quickly spread to the inside of individual units. It’s important for buildings to adopt an integrated pest management plan in order to defend against infestations. An effective treatment plan to keep a building free of pests may require treating the inside of individual units. Whereas the cost for in-unit treatment can be allocated to individual owners, the association is responsible for the cost of treating the common areas.
