I have read Meadow Hill’s Documents, By-Laws, and Rules several times. Yet, regularly a Board member or owner brings a matter before the Board which highlights an un-familiar portion of the text or an easily mis-understood interpretation. One of the frequent and often confusing areas is: Where does Meadow Hill’s responsibility for a problem end and the unit owner’s responsibility begin?
When faced with such a problem or question, the unit owner should call our management company, Advance Property Management first. This is for two reasons: First, if repairs are made by anyone else, it may not be possible to determine responsibility, and the unit owner would normally be liable. Second, if a problem is Meadow Hill’s responsibility, we need to determine the most cost effective solution and be responsible for the method of repairs. Let’s look at two examples from my brief history at Meadow Hill.
As very new owners, as part of renovations, we discovered a long hidden pinhole leak along with plenty of mold. We and our insurance company assumed it was our responsibility. They paid most of the costs while we paid a substantial deductible and had a claim registered against our policy. Many months later, I realized such problems are usually the responsibility of Meadow Hill.
Last year we had a plugged kitchen sink drain. We called the management company. Darien and Tim responded quickly to explain that the critical factor in responsibility was the exact location of the blockage. Because we called first, they were able to determine that the source of the blockage was far from the sink and Meadow Hill’s responsibility. If we had called our plumber, we would have been liable. Submitted by Luther Weeks, Director