The Weakest Link


In attached unit associations, it is important that each individual owner understands and takes care of their maintenance responsibilities. If individual unit obligations are not properly met, it can not only cause problems for the unit owner, but often for other adjacent unit owners as well.


If individual unit obligations are not properly met, it can cause problems for adjacent unit owners as well.


It is also critical that the association ensures maintenance items and projects throughout the community are performed properly and in a timely manner to avoid additional issues and prevent further damage. How can the association guarantee a level of quality control on these important building envelope items while setting clear expectations for the owner? Furthermore, when considering those concerns, might it be a good idea for the association to shift important maintenance responsibilities to the association via an amendment to the governing documents?


My siding


doesn’t look “that bad,” I’ll fix it next year…


Standards for Key Maintenance Items


While performing any maintenance item in a timely manner is important, delayed repair of building envelope items often has a substantially larger impact on a unit. Given the potential for a negative impact to owners if such projects are not taken care of when a problem presents itself, the association should consider adopting a policy that provides specific timelines for repair or replacement of building envelope items.


Many associations have maintenance standards for building envelope repairs.


Many associations already have initial maintenance standards for building envelope repairs in their governing documents. These standards can be expanded to set specific and reasonable time frames to complete repairs, replacements, upgrades or modifications.


I’m paying for the


siding; I’ll choose what kind I want…


Replacing Like for Like


When building envelope items are an individual owner’s responsibility to maintain, repair, or ultimately replace, it is important that the association adopt specific guidelines on what products may be used. Not only does this ensure that the owner is replacing “like for like,” but it also maintains community aesthetics and exterior uniformity. These specifications can easily be included in an Architectural Control Committee (ACC) document for each exterior element. For example, guidelines for windows can include what framing material is acceptable or if there is a clear glass requirement. Similarly, roofing guidelines can include what type of shingles and colors are acceptable and if that roofing should match items like plumbing or attic vents.


While owners have the best of intentions, tastes differ.


While most owners are acting with the best intentions, everyone has a different aesthetic. It is important when creating guideline documents that the association is as specific as possible to avoid disputes or difficulties.


I’ve fixed my siding, now what… Project Completion Inspections


Many governing documents or existing policies include a project completion inspection to ensure that repair or


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