Condo policy

fhorns147

I want to have a plumber come and do a few updates for me.  I live in an apartment condominium.  The trouble is in order for him to do his thing I need the water shut off for a little while.  The shut-off valve is in the basement so I need one of the maintenance workers to go in there and shut it off when the plumber comes (and then turn it back on after).  We asked at the condo management office how to go about it and they said we need to fill out a form about what we want to do and include the plumber's information including his license number and insurance information.  We also have to give a $1000 deposit, and they need to inspect everything before giving it back.  All just to get the water shut of for a little while! 

Our plumber has a license and insurance, but he's doing us a favor and is taking a shortcut that isn't up to code to make the cost less so he doesn't want us to give management his license number.  I'm also not crazy about the $1000 deposit.  Can they do this?  Does anyone know if it's legal for condo boards to restrict us like this?

xmaryrickx

I would think that yes it is legal and they do it exactly for this reason. Why are you cutting corners on something as serious as plumbing? There is a reason for building codes, and one should not just ignore them. That is why your condo board is making you jump through these hoops. Someone likely did the same thing you are trying to do and it came back to bite them in ass. 

fhorns147

From everyone I've consulted, this particular code doesn't really have a purpose.  As far as I understand it there are MANY codes that don't have a real purpose (at least where I live).  My point was I own the apartment so how do they have the right to stop me from doing something in the space that I own?  I would expect this from a co-op board, but not a condo board.

Riss91

Plumbing is something that affects other condos as the pipes are all connected. Many condo bylaws state that while you own your apt, shared walls are still community space and therefore must be altered/repaired appropriately. It really isn't much different than a co-op in that way. This is just part of living in a coop/condo community. The laws protect everyone. As an owner, you wouldn't want others to be able to skirt the rules and possibly cause damage. Properly repairing is safer and keeps costs down in the long run.

julygal

Not a lawyer, but I am fairly positive if it is in your bylaws then it is legal for them to do it. 

I personally would be leery of a plumber suggesting doing something not up to code and especially that he's unwilling to give out his license number over this repair.  Also, think about long-term when you go to sell that most likely this code violation will come up on the inspection and you'll be paying to repair it then.  

judy201

I know what you mean that a lot codes mean absolute nothing, "been there done there!!!". But I think the management comp has a right to say that. You would have to check your contract by the terms and conditions.

Ginger Le Coeur

xmaryrickx:

I would think that yes it is legal and they do it exactly for this reason. Why are you cutting corners on something as serious as plumbing? There is a reason for building codes, and one should not just ignore them. That is why your condo board is making you jump through these hoops. Someone likely did the same thing you are trying to do and it came back to bite them in ass. 

 

This exactly!