Meter Socket Replacement Question

I am a trustee within a 49-unit townhome association. Two neighbors of mine recently asked whether or not the association would cover the replacement cost of their units' electric meter sockets. My inclination was to tell both unit owners that because these meter sockets provided electricity for their units only, and not for any common area outdoor electricity, it would be their financially responsibility to replace them. Nevertheless, this remains unclear to me. Heat pump air condenser maintenance is definitely on the unit owners, but I am uncertain about the electric meters.

Section 11 of our master deed, titled Common Areas and Facilities, states that "The common areas and facilities of the Condominium comprise and consist of (a) the land described in paragraph 3 hereof, as may from time to time be amended, together with the benefit of and subject to the rights and easements referred to in paragraph 3 hereof and common areas and facilities shown on the Condominium Plans annexed hereto; (b) the foundations, structural columns, girders, beams, supports, exterior walls, interior floor and ceiling joints, including all studding, balconies, porches, breezeways, exterior stairs, roofs of the buildings, and the carrying common walls between said town houses of the buildings; (c) all sewer, water and electric lines, and exterior lighting chimneys and flue lines, conduits, ducts, pipes, plumbing, wiring, flues and other facilities for the furnishing of utility services which are contained in portions of the building contributing to the service and/or support of the town house, other town houses or common areas and facilities, but not including the lighting, heating, plumbing, fixtures and kitchen and bathroom cabinets located within said town houses serving the same exclusively, (d) all such facilities contained within any town house which serve parts of the Condominium other than the town house within which such facilities are contained.

Part C above seems ambiguous about whose responsibility the meter socket replacement is. If anyone has a better idea of the answer to this, your insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I agree with Joe, but do your documents have a section on what would be owner responsibility? If so, read that.

I also live in a townhouse community and I think the meters are homeowner responsibility, but if your documents are unclear, get an opinion from your association attorney, if necessary.

I agree with SheliaH that there is a decent chance that the Declaration may say more about who is responsible for maintenance and repairs of a common element serving less than all units.

It is also possible that the Declaration may say the repair is the HOA's responsibility, but if the common area infrastructure serves less than all unit, the HOA has the right to bill only those unit owners served by the infrastructure.

(c) sys that the common area does not include, "....the lighting, heating, plumbing, fixtures and kitchen and bathroom cabinets located within said town houses serving the same exclusively..." But this cited Article only is definitional. There should be another that defines what comprises the Owners "separate interest," i.e., something items that is provided for the use of only individual owners.

But as Shelia observes there's another part of the Deed Restriction that says whose obligation it is to to repair/replace common area items. It also probably contains a section that says whose obligation it is to repair/replace items that only are used by a single unit. Our condo building's CC&Rs are very specific about who repairs/replaces what.

Anything that solely services my condo unit is my responsibility.

Are you board president, MikeP? Even if so, imo, it's better if such questions are encouraged to go only to the Board as a whole vs. an individual director. That is, I guess, unless the Board has assigned the president to answer such questions??? Even if so, this should all be done in writing and someone how noted at a boar meeting. The entire board is responsible for your advice.

This sounds like something associated with the utility company. Has anyone contacted them?