Can you help?  There have been several questions posed to the group on the CMCA listserv.  Do you have a solution?  Let us know in the comment section.  If you’ve got a question of your own, post that as well.

Fencing

When a builder puts up the short 6- or 8-foot long fence on either side of each townhouse, how does an owner know which fence is his/hers?  Or are both sides just considered a shared fence?  If one needs to be replaced, is it then a shared expense and one owner may have to convince the other owner?

Radon

For those who manage condominiums – if a unit (in this case a lower unit, partially below grade) tested high for radon, have you paid for the abatement as a common expense or have you left the individual unit owner responsible?

Asbestos

As a portfolio manager, one of the properties I manage is a small development of 40 units.  Recently we had a roof leak that went unreported and developed into mold problem in the attic of the building.  A small bit of mold seeped through onto the sheetrock ceiling that has a popcorn material.  The development was built in the mid 1970’s and when the mold remediation company checked the unit they also tested for asbestos and found the popcorn material contained asbestos.  None of this was previously known to management or any board or homeowners.  Now the homeowners are concerned about disclosure for future sales and the board does not want to abate the material due to high costs.  The association common areas do not include the insulation or sheetrock.  Any advice on disclosure of the asbestos?

Contractors

The community I manage is looking at a change in policy from requiring owners to use an association hired contractor who installs required window replacements to providing owners with specifications (architect written) and required, pre-approval from outlining protocol.   Has anyone had experience with allowing owners to have their own window replacements done and what were some of the problems encountered?