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JR4 (California)
Posts: 6
Posted:
If someone can give me some advice I would appreciate it.

I bought a condo in a 4 unit complex and took over the board a year ago. There was serious neglect to the building from termite damage, landscaping, leaking water etc. Of course the dues over the last 10 years have been just enough to cover the basics, water, sewer, trash, Common area electricity, minimal landscaping, pest control (not termite) and so on. The association collected about $1000 a year above set costs for repairs when I first did the budget. The board and I approved repairing all the wood damage to the common areas as described by our CC&R's. While doing the repairs we removed the facia and trim boards around the wood windows on the end unit and discovered the window frames were significantly damaged with termite and water damage. The owner had done makeshift repairs which is the only reason the glass did not simply fall out.

The current owner who is a real challenge to deal with is threatening to sue if we don't replace his windows due to the long term neglect the building has experienced. Note he has been here over 20 years, the longest of all members, refuses to pay his insurance and has stated he will never pay a penny more than the $200 dues we currently pay (yeah I know, only $200).

Our CC&R's state, "Each owner shall also be responsible for repair, replacement and cleaning of the windows and glass of his unit, both exterior and interior."

My question: is the HOA responsible for the termite damage to his wood window frames? Reading the CC&R's my gut says no.

Thanks for helping.
RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 1,767
Posted:
Yes, the association is responsible for the termites, when it affect the common area. The area the termites infect would be considered common area. You should a section within your CCRs which specifically deals with this topic.

If you can find that section, I would then be able to help you deal with a remedy.
JR4 (California)
Posts: 6
Posted:
To help clarify, The HOA addressed the termites already years ago. What we are working on now is the damage they did.
RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 1,767
Posted:
"I am not a lawyer, but at times try an play the role of an lawyer"

As your CCRs states, the actual cost of the windows must be borne by the unit owner. My recommendation is that the association pay any portion of the frame that must be replaced due to either termite or water damage. If you do this, the association would have acted in good faith in the event any legal challenge would come from this.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
JR

My initial blush (based on what you say) is the windows are probably fine but the sash/frame might have suffered termite and water damage.

I say the association is responsible for the sash/frame issues so they remove the windows, fix the damage, re-install the windows. If the owner wants new windows, he pays and they must be identical.

My initial reaction to any threatened lawsuit is bring it on. Do not be intimidated by this threat.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Richard

While I appreciate your posts, I do agree with your statement:

I am not a lawyer, but at times try an play the role of an lawyer.

That can be dangerous if people base their decisions on such advice versus proper legal advice.

Allow me to add that in many cases, the only difference between your scumbag lawyer and my scumbag lawyer is one of those scumbags is mine....LOL
RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 1,767
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnC46 on 05/01/2014 4:13 PM
Richard

While I appreciate your posts, I do agree with your statement:

I am not a lawyer, but at times try an play the role of an lawyer.

That can be dangerous if people base their decisions on such advice versus proper legal advice.

Allow me to add that in many cases, the only difference between your scumbag lawyer and my scumbag lawyer is one of those scumbags is mine....LOL

The difference between your lawyer and mine, is mine is the same one people reference when commenting on California issues on this site.

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