One of the more prevalent reasons I believe people choose condo living is the burden of maintaining the exterior falls on some one else. No painting, cutting the grass or shoveling snow. That sounds good to me. What I find many times inspecting condos is some things on the exterior are attached things on the interior, meaning they are the homeowners responsibility to maintain. Stuff like A/C compressors and heating vents. This can be a problem because the home owner may often be under the false assumption some one else is also taking care of these things too. I think people who live in condos become blind to what is happening on and to the exterior of their unit.
During a recent inspection of a condo I found several defects in and around the deck. Since the deck is on the exterior the maintenance falls to the condo association. Yet if the homeowner is unaware of a problem, no one will fix it.
While examining the decks structure from below I found several joist hangers almost rusted completely through at the base. This one actually has no nails left which I'm assuming is because they rusted away.
The heating system / water heater vent is run under the deck and terminates at the end of the structure. The pipe is about 12 feet long...and full of holes. The system is well maintained and fairly new inside the basement.
Next we have the A/C compressor service disconnected, which is also located under the deck. I usually open these to look at the wiring, not this one. This switch looks like it is 50 years old, when in fact it's about 16.
The interior of this unit was neat and well kept, meaning the homeowner is looking at and maintaining his property, except not so much on the exterior
.
Relying on others to do your chores for you is a luxury people pay for when living in a condo. Assuming everything outside the unit is being taken care...
Well, you know what they say about assuming.
James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
2010 - 2011 SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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