J.T. from Fairfield County, Connecticut writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Are the individual condo owners responsible for the equipment (heating system water heater and maybe central air) for their individual unit or is the condo association responsible for them? We are shopping around for master condo insurance policy and this question has come up. Thanks.
Mister Condo replies:
J.T., unless the utilities are provided in common as an amenity, it would be more common for the HVAC units and hot water tanks to be owned by the individual condo unit owners. Are multiple condo owners serviced by the same air conditioner? If so, then the air conditioner is likely association-owned and serviced. Are multiple units delivered hot water from a single boiler or central supply? If so, then the boiler system is likely an association-owned common element. Are either of these utilities included as an amenity and paid for by common fees? If so, they are likely the association’s responsibility. If your condo is single units with individual air conditioners and hot water tanks for each unit, then it is likely that the unit owners own and maintain their own appliances. I hope that helps. All the best!
You need to check with your insurance broker. I am not sure ownership of heating and cooling has much to do with master or owner insurance policies. My understanding is that either way insurable losses over the deductible are covered by the master policy. Of course it is important who owns them when it comes to responsibility for maintenance, especially periodically replacing water heaters.