C.B. from Alameda County, California writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
I own a first-floor unit in a three-story building with 21 units total. I have a patio attached to my unit and the sliding screen door needs to be replaced. The issue is the door has an added green metal trim that is the same color as the rest of the exterior of the building. Am I responsible for buying a new screen door and making sure it is painted to match the building exterior or is that the responsibility of the HOA? A screen door is not that expensive but if it needs to be customized that may be a hassle and add additional costs. I rent out my unit so I need to take care of the issue. for my tenant. Thank you.
Mister Condo replies:
C.B., before taking on any repair or replacement you need to contact the Board and make sure you are following the rules of architectural compliance. You may need to submit an application and await approval. Typically, the rules are that replacements need to be “like kind” meaning you will most likely have to comply with color and material standards. If you simply replace the screen door and the Board calls you on the repair, the hassle of having to remove the new screen door and replace with an approved door will be far costlier than having the replacement door approved in advance. Good luck!
Sometimes the board has a specific model or model number of the screen door and paint. Check with them to see what it is they want you to replace it with. We replaced a screen door without checking with the board first and we had to take it down and buy their kind and color. Waste of money.