In this blog post, we share proactive measures you can take to understand the condition of your building and increase your building and unit's insurability. These actions will not only protect your investment but also contribute to the overall well-being of your condo community.
Questions for Unit Owners to Ask Their AOAO Board
The list of questions below is not exhaustive nor is it intended to provide legal advice. They are intended to help unit owners become informed about the condition of their buildings and to create dialog with their AOAO board.
- When was the last time our building was inspected for structural soundness?
- Does the reserve fund include sufficient funds to timely repair and/or replace all critical building components including but not limited to plumbing systems, spalling and windows?
- How old is the plumbing system in our building?
- Is there a plan for plumbing system replacement?
- Are fire sprinklers being considered at the same time as pipe replacement?
- If sprinklers are not installed, will this affect our ability to procure insurance for th,e building?
- Does our building mandate smoke detectors in each room of every unit?
- What is our building doing to ensure water leaks are mitigated?
- Do we have a plumbing policy?
- Do we have regular plumbing inspections? If yes, what is the policy for recommended repairs? If no, why not?
- When was the last time all of the horizontal and vertical main drains were cleaned by a licensed plumbing contractor?
- For water heaters within units, does the Board require replacement when the warranty period is over? If yes, is this enforced? If no, why not?
- Has the Board considered water detection devices within units to mitigate water losses?
- ls our building insured to its full value for hurricane insurance? If not, what is the plan to procure hurricane insurance?
- If hurricane insurance is not purchased for the full value of the building, what are the consequences including Board liability, value of the building, buying and selling of units, and inability to secure mortgages or HELOCs?
- ls unit owner's insurance being reviewed annually by the Board to ensure compliance with deductibles of the master policy?
Things Unit Owners & Their Tenants Can Do to Help Prevent or Reduce Claims
In addition to asking your AOAO Board about issues important to a building's health, unit owners or tenants can proactively inspect the units they occupy for tell-tale signs of water damage issues. Contact your property manager and/or a licensed plumber if problems are noted:
- Check for potential problems and/or leaks from plumbing supply lines to:
- Refrigerators/lcemakers
- Washing machines
- Water heaters
- Dishwashers
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Look for condensation around the pipes;
- Watch for stains on walls or ceilings, or musty smells; and
- If your unit has a fire sprinkler, make sure you do not hang or support anything on the sprinkler head, pipes or other components.