In-Unit Damage

No one is more interested in the value of your unit than you. Sure, the association wants units to sell for as much as possible. They want units to look nice, especially from the outside. Similarly, they want the common area to look nice, and cared-for. But that’s where their concern ends.

Generally, associations don’t care about what goes on in your unit unless it impacts others. Play your music as loud as you want, unless other residents complain about it. Smoke as much as you want, unless that smoke filters into other units. My point is, the association take very little interest in what goes on in your unit. Therefore, if there’s ever an issue cause by another unit or a common area, know that that ‘very little interest’, is only upgraded to little interest. Sure, the board wants to resolve the issue but they’re not going to bend over backwards to solve it quickly, especially if you seem to have no interest in solving an issue in your unit.

A leak caused by a common area? You have to be proactive, in informing the board about the leak, answering questions regarding the issue, providing access to your unit when necessary and following up with the board when it seems to have been forgotten. Sure, they remember the leak, yet they may not know how urgent the issue may be. They may think it’s already been resolved. They may be waiting insurance information or estimated from a roofer. My point is, it’s not their priority, and when it’s not a priority for you, it easily becomes forgotten. You are your unit’s best advocate, not the management company and certainly, not the board. It is you who must remind the board (volunteers no less) of your issue. It is you who must follow-up with the management company and respond to every email requesting information. The urgency lies with you.