Unauthorized Repairs

The manager of my HOA stopped me before I could get out of the car on Sept. 3 saying that a pipe in my unit was leaking into the unit below. I could not see the leak. The pipe was hidden inside the wall. They had the repairs made, without a signature from me. They replaced a faucet that was NOT leaking. They told me that they paid the bill. They sent me a bill for almost $3,000. Am I obligated to pay them? I did not authorize any repairs. I could have found a Tennessee plumber to work for less than $150.00 per hour + $75.00 per hour for their helper. That's $225.00 per hour. It seems to me that pipes between units should be considered a common area and that the HOA should pay for any needed repairs. We have one of the highest HOA fees in the county.

You need to review your governing documents. If the pipe is a common element the association should be responsible for the leak. If the pipe is your responsibility you might be on the hook. Your governing docs may have a language stating that in case of emergency they may enter your unit and do necessary repairs. I don't know if this would constitute an emergency and I don't know what protocol your association needs to follow in this case.