Community wide chimney failure

What are the implications of the following scenario?
All chimneys in a community fail; the chimneys are under the responsibility of the “association” to maintain just like the roofs.

The homeowners were instructed to repair / replace the chimneys individually, although they must submit plans to the board.

The board’s decision was based on a desire to avoid an assessment since repairing these chimneys would bankrupt the association.

By placing this responsibility on the homeowners, how does this impact the community as a whole? Should any changes be made to our docs?

Does this set precedence for things to come?

If selling the condo, who would be responsible for any repairs required by the inspection? The seller would be able to show in the docs that the association has responsibility.

I would appreciate any advice.

I'm confused. Have all chimneys gone bad at the same time? How can the association abdicate their responsibility and tell the owners to fix it yourself? But get approval first? Someone needs to set your board straight. Why was there no reserve for this problem?

All of the chimneys!!! Can you believe it?!
Inspections were done community wide in Sept 07.The First ones since I have lived here ( since 05). My best guess for the cause of the failures(b/c whys were not addressed)was that inspections had not been done; therefore, what repairs if any were never addresses. Of course there is more sordid little juicy detail but they may be extraneous at this point.

here is what the my condo docs say:
Common elements
the common elements of **** consist of all the land building and improvements as described in schedules 2.1 and 2.2 to this declaration or as shown on the Declaration Plan or as actually exists on the land whether or not described and shown, except for and excluding the units described in schedule 5.1 to the declaration, and as further shown on the declaration Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, the Common Elements include:
(a) the land on which the buildings are located.........
(b) the foundations, structural part, supports, main walls, roofs, basements, halls, corridors, lobbies, stairways and entrances and exists(sic) of the buildings;
(c) parking lot
(h) every components of the fireplaces including the chimneys and flue components, except the pre-fabricated metal boxes inserted in the fireplaces on the declaration plan, which boxes shall become a part of the units.

I was "not heard" when I brought this issue up regarding the specific of the "docs". Instead, the Pm made two interesting statements to me questioned modifying the condo docs: repairing would bankrupt us; and did I want an assessment then?!

I am concerned mainly for the long time. Fixing a chimney "never used" is certainly not a priority for me; however it would be a very different story if it were manadated (by assessment and for the best of community) Does that makes sense? I think in this regard the board is attempting to be the friend instead of the mama.

But doesn't the issue remain that none the less, regardless of what the board has stated; the condo common elements have not been changed officially and legally.
So to summarize the present condition: almost 300 chimneys bad, all but one has been capped( for insurance purposes).

On a personal note: I am fortunate b/c my chimney is not too bad, and i am on the top level,which reduces costs.It will be fixed....... soon.
Please advise or opinions would be most appreciated.

You might also ask the BOD if it is possible to go after the builder or architect; 300 chimneys going bad at once is either a design failure or poor construction. Did the city/county building department sign off on the original construction?

Ignornace has gotten all of us in community to this point. As with most things in life, knowledge is power. all of the residents should have been at the level two chimney inspections. All of us should have talked to the inspectors about the reports and the grandfathering of portions that were up to code at the time. The chimneys have a life expectancy like most things and that life is over. There is a reserve account, but once a house or a building reaches a certain age, if updates have not been done than guess what? Cha ching!!
I think that is what has happened. Our council and previous management companies have in the past couple years and are currenlty replacing and repairing items that could be dangerous. IMO the chimneys were most likely dubbed non essesntial once the the chinmeys were sealed.
Regardless of the "whys" situation still remains. My main concern is the real property.
I don't know how to proceed with our council. I don't know that i have any support. No one wants a assessment ( who does ?). My initial protests were precieved as such; oh, and that this would destroy the assocation ( somehow this was my fault?).
Also, alternatives to wood burning would have been great. Personally the whole idea of a "fire" in any capacity in a building with six units is frightening. I am not well versed in the many alternatives but they are out there and maybe even less than the total replacement of chinmeys.