Cleaning Dryer Vents - Association Responsibility?

Started by JamieN • 6 replies • 6393 views

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JamieN (Missouri)
Posts: 4

Posted:

Is dryer vent cleaning a responsibility of the COA/HOA?

I agree that it would be good to negotiate a deal with a company based on volume of residents, but if the Association starts offering this service, then are they legally liable to continue this service till the end of time?

If we start and a futre BOD stops and there is a fire due to lint build up, would the Association be liable for these damages?

What has been your experiences?

Thanks!

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

The HOA can vote for what services they want with their dues money. If a majority wants this as a service then the board should look into this and find out what to do. Your HOa members can expect a raise in dues or a special assessment for doing so. You want it you pay for it....

Former HOA President

BethJ2 (California)
Posts: 62

Posted:

You need to read your CC&Rs to determine who is responsible.

We have recently discussed this issue at length with a very divided Board and with our attorney. In the past Boards enforced this incorrectly, telling the owners that they were responsible, but this was wrong.

Our CC&Rs say that the association is responsible for all common area maintenance, including restricted or exclusive use common area. Certain plumbing issues (between shared or perimeter walls) IS the responsibility of the HOA. Same for dryer vents that are outside of the "Unit". Our CC&Rs are very specific in the definition of the "Unit" which is undecorated surfaces in. Other than if an owner modified something in the common area, the HOA is responsible, including dryer vents up to the wall.

I suspect if your CC&Rs say the HOA is responsible and you do nothing, resulting in a fire or damage, then there could be some pretty serious consequences, but I'm not an attorney.

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

Jamie,

I would say that if the association owns the dryer, cleaning the vent is their responsibility. If you own the dryer, cleaning the dryer vent is your responsibility.

JayP3 (Florida)
Posts: 154

Posted:

Depending on the construction of your unit you may own the dryer but have no access to the complete dryer venting system.

Take a 4 unit townhome I once lived in... The dryer is in the unit but the vent is located in a common plenum centrally located on the roof. Owners have no roof access but access to the plenum is required to clean the system. Unauthorized access to the roof could result in the accusation of roof damage that may or may not have resulted in water or other damage to neighboring units.

So now what?

Each case is different and it may be a private or a common expense depending.

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

As others have said you should be able to find those answers in your documents. Under our documents IF the system services just one unit and does not join up with those supplying other units it is the responsibility of the property owners not the association.

Electric lines, phone lines, gas lines and vents.

Now you have problems to face with location of services and ability to get at those lines. The can become quite a can of worms. Not as simple as cleaning out the vents lines but perhaps upgrading the material the lines are made of, satisfying building codes which might have changed due to the age of the property. Depending on the number of units and age of the units you could run up quite a bill.

I would be careful before taking on the responsibility of maintaining any such component on your property. This becomes a permanent cost and you would then accept liability as you are responsible for maintainance.

The cost per unit could end of being quite high.

JamieN (Missouri)
Posts: 4

Posted:

Thank you everyone for your great responses!

Read through our governing documents (Bylaws & CCR's) and we are only responsible for the exterior of the buildings, which leads me to believe that we are only responsible for the vent on the exterior of the building for each unit. The Association should not want to take on the additional responsibility, cost, and liability of cleaning individual unit's internal duct; from dryer to outside vent.

Thank you again!

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