My Real Estate Blog

Question: Can a homeowners association force unit owners to use its contractor to repair unit interior damage when the HOA is responsible for repairs? In this case, water seeped in due to failed waterproofing and damaged carpet, drywall, paint, baseboards and insulation. The HOA is paying a contractor to do both exterior and interior repairs but I do not want to use this contractor. I’7’ll accept the HOA’7’s cost estimate to do my interior repairs but want to get my own contractor.

Answer: The reason the HOA wants one contractor is it’7’s easier, faster and cheaper to use one contractor for all repairs. But unless interior repairs involve things like structural repairs (safety issue) or mold remediation (health issue) which can adversely impact neighboring units, individual unit owners have the right to take care of interior repairs using their own contractor.