Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst!

Sometimes bad things happen to good Associations… a fire or flood destroys several units, and the repair costs are huge. Even if the problem can be narrowed down to negligence by a single owner, you’d be surprised to learn that the Association’s master policy might be required to cover the entire expense. What can an Association do to protect itself? Here are 5 practical steps an association can take to protect the property and the residents:

1. Review and update maintenance standards regularly. 

Unit owners should be performing routine, preventative maintenance to their units, just as any homeower does. Checking the water heater for leaks is simple, no cost, and can prevent huge amounts of damage.

2. Perform a yearly review of the Association’s master insurance policy.

Connecticut law currently requires that the master policy cover the costs of clean-up and restoration, while the owner is responsible for their personal items in the unit.

3. Make certain everyone is insured.

Owners need to carry HO-6 Homeowners Insurance equal to the Association’s master policy deductible. Their tenants should carry insurance as well. This will help the Association at least recover the deductible amount if a situation occurs.

4. Take on responsibility of performing tasks in high-risk areas.

Yearly inspections and cleaning of dryers vents and chimneys should be required, and built into common charges or billed back to each owner to ensure compliance.

5. Reinforce the importance of preventative maintenance with owners on a regular basis.

This can be done with newsletters, emails, website updates and covered at annual meetings. 

Floods, fires and other disasters can occur anywhere, without warning. It is the responsibility of the Board and manager to eliminate as many dangers as possible.

Spring Project Spotlight - Hamlin Court Parking Lot Cleanup

Hamlin Court is a 28 unit condominium complex located in downtown Middletown. The building was the former Central School, converted to condominiums in the 1980s. It's a very unique property, with several different unit types and sizes.

In addition to the main resident parking lot, there is a small overflow lot down the block from the building. It wasn't clearly marked, so there were unauthorized cars, vandalism to the signs, overgrown weeds and litter. As you can see from these photos, the lots looked abandoned.

With the help of one of the Board members with graphic design experience, we were able to create a new sign made of a durable PVC material. The association's landscape contractor cleaned up the weeds and litter, and then our maintenance team installed the new signage. 

 When a driver goes to pull into the lot, they now see this sign directly in front of them:

 

If they still aren't sure if the lot is for public parking, we also installed these standard signs at each end of the lot:

We're hoping that these changes will make this space look less like an abandoned lot and more like an extension of the complex.

Do you need a management company that cares about your property as much as you do? Contact Premier Property Management Services, LLC today! (877) 208-4570 or visit our website.