April 2013 - Ask Mister Condo

Condo Water Damage Caused Over 8 Years!

By Mister Condo | April 30, 2013December 10, 2014 by Mister Condo

P.M. from New Haven County writes: Dear Mister Condo, I have a problem with my upstairs neighbor who is currently being fined $20 per day for non-compliance of the condo Bylaws. Two independent water testing studies have shown that repeated leaks into my condo are the result of eroding balcony doors and defective flashing underneath the sliding doors in his unit. The rules and bylaws dictate that thresholds are unit owner’s responsibilities but the neighbor…

Board Condominium Damage Insurance Legal

Contractor Damaged the Condo Floor. Who Pays?

By Mister Condo | April 28, 2013December 10, 2014 by Mister Condo

M.J. from Washington State writes: Dear Mister Condo, The property manager and board of my condo hired a contractor to work on some joists and beams that were affecting our front room. When the contractor pulled up the carpet, pad, and sub floor to do the work, he damaged the carpet, pad, subfloor, and tile. Are my property manager and board responsible if the contractor or his insurance does not take care of the damages? …

Board Condominium Governance Neighbor Issues Smoking

How to Stop Secondhand Condo Smoke?

By Mister Condo | April 26, 2013December 9, 2014 by Mister Condo

C.O. from Windham County writes: Dear Mister Condo, Hi! We have a nuisance policy concerning odors coming from other units. There are some smokers who live on the first floor of my condo building. Their smoke fumes/gasses enter into the upstairs condos. I have read that there is a 50/50 chance the courts will back the non-smoker and require the smoker to NOT smoke in their unit, as they have no legal protected right. Our…

Architectural Compliance Board Condominium Governance

This Path Leads to Condo Controversy

By Mister Condo | April 25, 2013December 9, 2014 by Mister Condo

O.F. from New Haven County writes: Dear Mister Condo, A resident had a path made of pavers installed by the condo developer. This path was installed without knowledge or permission of the Board of Directors. In our complex, it is the only such path and does not conform to the overall uniform appearance of other units. Is this path allowable? Can the Board ask that it be removed? Mister Condo replies: O.F., I guess it…