do condo fees cover windows

Condo fees or maintenance fee in a condominium apartment building can cover heat, hydro, water, cable, common elements, window cleaning, pest control, landscaping, exercise, gym, pool, tennis, squash, billiards, concierge etc. Approximately 35 to 45 per cent of condo fees cover utilities such as gas, hydro and water – items that are always over and above your mortgage and tax payments, irrespective of where you live.

Full Answer

What are condo fees and how do they work?

Condo fees, also known as condo maintenance fees, are fees that condo owners pay to the condo association (COA). The association then uses these fees to pay for various maintenance and repair costs. Condo owners pay these fees on a regular basis. Depending on the association, it could be on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.

Does condo association have to pay for window replacement?

One condo does not have windows while the other says owners are fully responsible, even though the association has paid for panel replacements in the past.

Do I have to pay condo fees if I’m not renting?

This, however, should not be the case. Condo fees are typically the responsibility of the unit owner and not the tenant, and the owner will have to pay these fees whether the unit is being rented out or not.

Are my condo windows covered by my Hoa?

If your windows are eligible to be covered by your HOA, all the better. There are private and shared elements of a condo. When you bought your condo, you were purchasing your own private home as well as an interest in the shared spaces.

Who owns the doors and windows in a condo?

Answer: The Condominium Property Act states that all doors and windows of a unit that are located on interior walls of the unit are part of the unit unless otherwise stipulated in the condominium plan.

Who is responsible for windows in a condo in Florida?

the AssociationIf the condominium documents provide that unit owners are responsible to repair and replace windows, then you as the unit owner would be responsible for the repair. If the condominium documents provide that the Association is responsible to repair and replace windows, then the Association is responsible for the repair.

Who is responsible for windows in a condo in NYC?

Building owners are responsible for purchasing all window guards in common areas. For apartment units, building owners can charge a one-time fee per window guard but cannot charge for window guards previously installed in the apartment.

Can condo owner change windows?

The first is that board approval is required for any window or door that can be seen from a common area (ie. outside or from a common hallway). Adjusting these elements without approval from your condo board could result in a fine or other penalties.

Are condo corporations responsible for windows?

An entire window is a common element of a condominium unit and thus repairs or replacement are the condo corporation's responsibility, writes Gerry Hyman.

Is a leaseholder responsible for windows?

If your lease does not say that it is your individual responsibility to repair your windows in your flat, what that means is all leaseholders are expected to pay a share of the cost of works to any windows in your building in exactly the same way as they would be expected to share the cost of repairs to the roof.

Are windows part of a building's structure?

Building Components. The basic Components of a Building Structure are the Footing, Column, Beam, Slab, Lintel, Doors, Windows, Sill, and DPC.

How often do housing associations have to replace windows?

A local authority or social housing landlord may replace windows across part or all of an estate every 20 years, sometimes sooner, as part of its capital budget plan.

Who owns the windows in a flat?

Generally speaking, the responsibility for maintaining the structure of the building and completing any exterior repairs like painting of windows lies with the freeholder, or the management company if there is one.

Should my landlord replace my windows?

Your landlord is responsible for most major repairs to your home if you rent privately. This includes: the structure of the property, for example walls, roof, windows and doors. sinks, baths, toilets.

Are exterior windows common property?

If the doors and windows as part of the exterior of your buildings are common property, they remain common property.

What are condo windows made of?

Energy-efficient Commercial Condo Window Replacements Today's most current windows are dual-pane windows with an option of wood, aluminum, fiberglass, or vinyl frames. You can request these windows with a few options to increase both the insulating value and heat-reflecting qualities of the window and frame.

Do landlords have to provide screens for windows in Florida?

The landlord, at commencement of the tenancy, must ensure that screens are installed in a reasonable condition. Thereafter, the landlord must repair damage to screens once annually, when necessary, until termination of the rental agreement.

What is the condo association responsible for in Florida?

Fla. Stat. § 718.111(11)(f) states that the association is responsible to insure the buildings in the community including all windows and sliding glass doors, common areas, and anything for which the unit owner is not responsible under the law.

What is the Florida Building Code for windows?

The Florida Building Code (FBC) requires windows to be impact-resistant or protected from impact if located within one mile of the coast where the design wind speed is 130 mph or greater and anywhere the design wind speed is 140 mph and greater.

Who is responsible for condo repairs in Florida?

The Condominium Act requires all condo associations to maintain and repair structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical elements shared between multiple units, including the building's roofing and exterior walls. The act also requires condo associations to carry primary coverage for damage to these common elements.

What do condo fees go towards?

When you pay condo fees, you can expect them to go towards the maintenance of exterior areas, including painting the outside of the property, cleaning the windows, and maintaining the landscaped areas to keep the complex looking its best.

Do condo owners pay condo fees in Alberta?

All Alberta condo owners are required to pay condo fees. These fees cover a variety of expenses that you incur as a property owner. The exact amount of the fees varies, depending on how much property you own.

Does condo fee cover water?

It’s not unusual for condo fees to also cover the cost of the buildings’ utilities, including water, hydro (electricity), and heating. However, in recent years, some of the utility systems have begun to change, and you may find that the utilities you’re expected to pay has changed.

Can hurricanes damage your roof?

Natural disasters and extreme weather can be detrimental to many homeowners. However, homeowners often have insurance coverage for their homes in a case like a hurricane or a blizzard destroys the roof of your home.

Can you reduce the monthly payment for window replacement?

The common practice for many homeowners is to check the budget of new windows. Most companies offer inclusive financing plans that can reduce the monthly payments for window replacements and construction-related duties.

Do you have to pay for replacement windows?

If your agreement declares that your windows are part of the exclusive common elements than you are responsible to pay for the replacement. As long as you decide to replace windows without adjusting the measurements of the rough opening.

Do condo owners have to replace windows?

For condo owners, the insurance is a shared commodity between everyone in the condominium unit and the association is responsible for choosing the right coverage for your home. Your windows should be replaced with the agreement of the condo association that protects homeowners from natural disasters. In this case, you are not responsible for the replacement if your windows were damaged by extreme weather.

What do condo fees cover?

To get a better idea of what you would be paying for, here are the main expenses that condo fees will cover: In addition to a number of other expenses that can be included, these are the main expenses that your condo fees will be used to cover. Additionally, a portion of the condo fees that you pay will go towards a shared reserve fund ...

Why do condo owners pay fees?

Condo owners will pay these fees in exchange for having a minimal role in maintaining and managing their property while also enjoying the services that are provided by the condo association.

How to get a better idea of condo fees?

To get a better idea of the fees that you have to pay and what expenses they cover, you should get involved with the condo board, attend their meetings, or ask for their meeting minutes to know exactly how your money is being used.

How are condo fees calculated?

Condo fees are calculated based on the total costs and expenses for maintaining and managing the entire condominium complex, and each owner of a condo unit will pay a portion of the total amount depending on the portion that the unit makes up of the entire complex.

What is condo unit?

A condo unit is a real estate property that exists in a condominium compound; a set of separate residential units that are located in an area, share a common space and are managed by the HOA (House Owners Association) or the elected condo board. Individual owners of condo units have to pay monthly or annual installments, ...

Do condo fees count as cash flow?

Similar to how you would plan the rent of any other type of property, condo fees are included as an expense. When calculating the cash flow, you simply deduct the amount of fees (in addition to any other expenses) from the amount of rent on the property. To get a positive cash flow, the rent must be higher than the total costs and fees ...

Do condo fees have to be paid separately?

Condo fees are not an added expense of owning a condo. Meaning, if you own any other type of residential property, you will still be paying these fees separately. In the case of condo fees, however, a number of different expenses are included and are paid directly to the condo board who will then use the money to pay off any expenses or costs ...

What Are Condo Fees?

These common areas, though, do not just maintain themselves. All owners are responsible for keeping these common areas in good condition. This is where condominium fees come in.

What Is Included in a Condo Fee?

Before choosing a condominium to live in, you must first understand how condominium fees work and what they cover. Again, not all condo maintenance fees cover the same things.

Why Are Condo Fees So Expensive?

The location, exclusivity, and amount or extent of amenities in your condo can affect the cost of your fees. If you feel like your fees are too high, though, the condo board should take a look at some of the ways it can reduce the association’s expenses.

What Happens When You Don’t Pay Condo Fees?

If your daily living expenses are already too high for you to handle , you may feel tempted to skip paying your condominium fees altogether. That is a bad idea, though.

What is condo maintenance fee?

Condo fees, also known as condo maintenance fees, are fees that condo owners pay to the condo association (COA). The association then uses these fees to pay for various maintenance and repair costs. Condo owners pay these fees on a regular basis. Depending on the association, it could be on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.

What do condo boards consider when making a budget?

To prepare the budget, the condo board must consider all of the association’s basic expenses. They anticipate how much the COA expects to pay for things like trash collection, snow removal, landscaping, and other maintenance work. They also take into account things like insurance, utilities, housekeeping, property taxes, legal fees, wages, office expenses, etc.

What is the purpose of the board of directors in a condo association?

Every condo association has a set of members, called the board of directors, who manage the association. Along with overseeing the maintenance of the community, the board also carries the task of preparing the budget for the upcoming year. From this, the board can calculate how much to charge each condo owner in fees.

What happens if a window fails in a condominium?

The windows in a condominium building are invariably common elements. If the windows have failed, it is the obligation of the corporation to replace them.

Can you be assessed for window replacement?

When paid from the reserve fund, the owners will not be assessed for the amount of the necessary window replacement. However, if the payment reduces the reserve fund below the amount required, then the owners may be assessed to restore the fund to its proper level.

Can a corporation replace windows in a condominium?

If the windows haven’t failed, but the board wishes to replace them by more attractive windows — or more modern windows with more effective opening and closing mechanisms — the corporation could only replace the windows in accordance with section 97 of the Condominium Act as alterations to the common elements. Section 97 allows the corporation to make such an alteration if it is required by a mutual use agreement, to which the corporation is a party. Section 97 also allows it if the alteration is necessary to ensure the safety or security of persons using the condominium property, or of the condominium’s assets. As well, it is also allowed if the cost of the alteration is no more than one per cent of the annual budget of the corporation for the current fiscal.

What is an HOA and why do they charge condo fees?

When you purchase a condominium, or condo, you’re buying a private unit within a larger complex with shared, jointly owned areas. Condo complexes usually have an HOA, or homeowners’ association, which manages the upkeep of the community, including the building’s exterior and common areas. To pay for this upkeep, the HOA charges all residents a monthly or annual HOA fee.

What happens to the HOA fees if a condo goes into foreclosure?

If a condo unit goes into foreclosure, the owner often stops paying their HOA fees. Those fees don’t just go away; the HOA will still take measures to recoup them as the property goes through the foreclosure process. If the property is being taken over by the bank, the bank is then responsible for paying for a portion of the missed dues or negotiating a set amount with the HOA.

What is the typical cost of an HOA fee?

Condos can be an affordable option for a first-time buyer, or they can be a high-end luxury property worth more than a mansion in the suburbs. And just as condo values vary, so too do their associated HOA fees.

How are HOA fees determined? Can I negotiate my HOA fee down?

Your HOA fee is usually determined based on your percent of ownership in the complex. But you shouldn’t assume that by living in a complex with ten units, you automatically have 10 percent of the ownership.

How can I factor in HOA fees when buying?

Because you’ll pay your HOA fees on a regular schedule — usually monthly or annually— you should consider the fees within your buying and owning budget. When searching condos on edinarealty.com, you can calculate your monthly costs for each condo you consider, including:

What are HOA dues used for?

What are the HOA dues used for? HOA coverage varies from one community to the next, but it’s typical for HOA fees to cover the building’s exterior and common areas — such as the secure entry points and lobby, elevators, garages and parking lots.

What is HOA reserve?

The HOA will reserve a portion of the fees and create an approved schedule for large-scale projects like new siding, roofing repairs and other structural maintenance. These reserves may also be used for emergencies or unexpected, but necessary, repairs. As a condo owner, you want to be reassured that your property will maintain as much value as ...

What does "dox" mean in condo?

=-=-=#N#In our condo, the dox very clearly state that windows are the Unit Owners responsibility for either repair or replacement. If replacement they must be in harmony with all existing fenestration.

Where is the 70+ condo unit?

We are ina 70+ condo unit in St. Thomas, USVI. We sought two legal opinions on this and it was determined that based on our bylaws and organizational documents, that the windows and doors are association responsibility. It may depend on your bylaws.

Is a 1/2 moon window permanently affixed?

This would include the windows. However, most units have a 1/2 moon window which happens to be permanently affixed within the building structure.

Should condo associations replace windows?

If it is an Association's responsibility to replace windows, it is also their decision to decide whether windows will be replaced.....if someone buys a condo unit and simply wants new windows instead of replacing two $15 ballasts on an old but perfectly useable window the Association should rightly say no.

Breaking Down Condo Fees

What Do Condo Fees Cover?

• To get a better idea of what you would be paying for, here are the main expenses that condo fees will cover: 1. Landscaping 2. Maintenance 3. Repairs (including roofs, walls, and floors) 4. Managing the property 5. Pool cleaning 6. Gardening 7. Parking 8. Security 9. Insurance 10. Garbage collection 11. Water, electricity, and gas 12. Access to com...

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Condo Fees – Whose Responsibility Are They?

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