SteveS8 (New York)
Posts: 128
Posts: 128
Posted:
We are a relatively new community whose Board is still controlled by the builder. I run a community blog which is not sanctioned by the Board nor the builder.
A few months ago, it came to my attention that our condo (3 story apartment building housing 15 residences) garage was not the only one leaking after storms. In fact, I have now found out that every single condo garage in the community (all 23 buildings) have seeping water from girders, through the walls, and from vents after rain storms. In many cases, the seepage is serious enough to case puddles in the garages. I also have gathered testimonials that complaints have been registered by residents for over 2 1/2 years, and, in most cases, the repairs made were inadequate or never made at all.
Since management never made this fact public to the residents, I decided to send an email directly to the community with 8 very specific questions that I wanted to submit to the Board, and I asked for others in the community to put their names on along side mine. The questions asked why this problem was allowed to go on for over 2 1/2 years. It asked why new buildings, built since the first reports of leakage, still had the same problems. It asked exactly what was going to be done about the problem. And it asked for an independent engineering analysis of the the situation and a report of what is wrong with the garages and what must be done to stop the leaks permanently
Additionally, I mentioned a development (rental, not condo) across the street from us that was closed down (and has now reopened) because of mold and that it cost the builder close to $40,000,000 to correct the problem. I suggested, "It is an established fact that persistent leaks in concrete and wood have a propensity to develop mold and aid in its spread."
This email was met the next day by a two page letter from the builder. This letter was attached to every door handle in the community. It basically said that I was acting as "self appointed leader". I was "irresponsible" and a bunch of other adjectives. He spoke about how he loved our community and cared for the people in it. It even copied my cover letter to the community but managed to leave off the 8 questions that I wanted posed so we would have the answers that we needed. Additionally, he never attempted to answer any of those questions but instead said that he would take care of the problems.
That was about a 2 weeks ago. Shortly thereafter, I noticed digging at the foundations of 4 buildings (mine being one). The area dug was about 10' - 15' across and apparently was intended to seal around some pipes that came into the electrical rooms of those buildings. However, in our building, at least, that might solve one of the 14 leak problems we have, but is unlikely to take care of any of the others.
For the last 4 or 5 days the construction equipment has disappeared, and, as usual, there is no word, whatsoever, as to what is supposed to happen and when.
Are the residents entitled to any information about what appears to me to be, potentially, a very serious problem? The Board has never said a word about the leaks.
What can be done?
Thanks,
Steve
A few months ago, it came to my attention that our condo (3 story apartment building housing 15 residences) garage was not the only one leaking after storms. In fact, I have now found out that every single condo garage in the community (all 23 buildings) have seeping water from girders, through the walls, and from vents after rain storms. In many cases, the seepage is serious enough to case puddles in the garages. I also have gathered testimonials that complaints have been registered by residents for over 2 1/2 years, and, in most cases, the repairs made were inadequate or never made at all.
Since management never made this fact public to the residents, I decided to send an email directly to the community with 8 very specific questions that I wanted to submit to the Board, and I asked for others in the community to put their names on along side mine. The questions asked why this problem was allowed to go on for over 2 1/2 years. It asked why new buildings, built since the first reports of leakage, still had the same problems. It asked exactly what was going to be done about the problem. And it asked for an independent engineering analysis of the the situation and a report of what is wrong with the garages and what must be done to stop the leaks permanently
Additionally, I mentioned a development (rental, not condo) across the street from us that was closed down (and has now reopened) because of mold and that it cost the builder close to $40,000,000 to correct the problem. I suggested, "It is an established fact that persistent leaks in concrete and wood have a propensity to develop mold and aid in its spread."
This email was met the next day by a two page letter from the builder. This letter was attached to every door handle in the community. It basically said that I was acting as "self appointed leader". I was "irresponsible" and a bunch of other adjectives. He spoke about how he loved our community and cared for the people in it. It even copied my cover letter to the community but managed to leave off the 8 questions that I wanted posed so we would have the answers that we needed. Additionally, he never attempted to answer any of those questions but instead said that he would take care of the problems.
That was about a 2 weeks ago. Shortly thereafter, I noticed digging at the foundations of 4 buildings (mine being one). The area dug was about 10' - 15' across and apparently was intended to seal around some pipes that came into the electrical rooms of those buildings. However, in our building, at least, that might solve one of the 14 leak problems we have, but is unlikely to take care of any of the others.
For the last 4 or 5 days the construction equipment has disappeared, and, as usual, there is no word, whatsoever, as to what is supposed to happen and when.
Are the residents entitled to any information about what appears to me to be, potentially, a very serious problem? The Board has never said a word about the leaks.
What can be done?
Thanks,
Steve