HOA mold problem is a tricky topic for managed communities, and it’s one that should be addressed right away. Is mold an HOA problem in the first place? Is HOA responsible for mold issues, or are they something that the owner should foot the bill for? The answer, as it turns out, depends on several factors, especially when it comes to mold in condos, where mold in condo walls can develop from building issues.
In this article, we look at the answers to some of the usual questions regarding HOA mold problems, a few suggestions on how to tackle the issues as well as some ways to prevent them from coming back.
HOA Mold Problems: The Common Questions About This Noxious Issue
Whether the properties within your managed community are old or newly built, mold can be a common problem in regions that have humid, warm months. Moisture, leaks, and mold in homeowner properties are a serious headache for their residents, and the remedy can range from a simple cleanup to major repairs.
That’s why some residents would insist that their mold issue is something that the association should fix for them. It can be a complicated issue that residents and the HOA should work together to solve, especially in regions where humidity is high.
Is an HOA Mold Problem Serious?
Mold is not something to be taken lightly. If the problem is not addressed, mold can cause serious health complications for those with allergies, asthma, or lung disease.
Mold can be especially harmful to young residents or anyone with a compromised immune system. In addition to health concerns, mold can cause problems with the stability and safety of structures as a wet environment can compromise the integrity of the building materials over time. This can lead to costly major repairs later on.
On another side of the issue, mold on properties or mold in condo walls look unsightly, and will adversely affect the value of the property. The longer that the mold is allowed to stay and spread, the worse the damage it can cause.
Is Mold an HOA Problem or the Owner’s?
The short answer is: it depends on the situation, and where the mold problem originated. If possible, this should be an issue that the HOA has already anticipated and planned for together with the homeowners, so that they have an immediate answer.
For example, some communities have a clear rule that if the mold is in a place within a homeowner’s property, then it’s the owner’s responsibility to clear it out. Likewise for a common area – if the mold settles in an area that the HOA manages, then it will be up to the HOA to repair the place.
There’s the issue, of course, of who pays for the repairs. For clear cases of neglect, this can be easy to settle. For example, if a resident leaves a faucet on before leaving their unit for a vacation, the cleanup of the resulting mold from the flood is usually paid for by the resident. That holds true for the HOA as well – if the building management failed to address a leak in time, the association could end up footing the bill.
As with many problems regarding the upkeep and maintenance of houses in an HOA, when an issue of mold arises the question likewise arises of who is responsible for the mold and who is under obligation to solve the problem. As tempting as it may be to spend more time making sure that the right party pays for the repairs, your main priority should be getting rid of the mold.
As you already know, mold can grievously affect the health and well-being of the residents and the rest of the community. Regardless of who is responsible, the mold is an urgent matter that must be eradicated, and quickly.