K.B. from San Diego, California writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
I purchased condo 14 years ago. I am trying to sell and inspection indicates asbestos on water heater pipe. The condo was built in 1980. Is it my responsibility to remove or HOA?
Mister Condo replies:
K.B., I am sorry to say that the responsibility is likely yours. I am assuming you are referring to a water heater pipe inside of your unit since the alert came from a home inspection of your unit. If the inspector is referencing a water pipe that is not inside your unit, then it is possible that the association is responsible but they would not have any reason to change the pipe covering as it is not part of the sale and the pipe covering was likely to code when it was installed. Additionally, if the pipe covering is owned by the association, you are not allowed to change it without permission of the association.