A resident contacted us about what they feel is association ceiling work that should have required approval of the fire department. What is our liabilities by responding or not?

ANSWERS:

The proper response to the complainant is merely an acknowledgment of the contact. After that, what if any action taken is within the Board’s discretion based on the issue. If, for example, ceiling maintenance is entirely the responsibility of the owner, and there is no safety concern to other owners or common property and no effect on insurance carried by the Association as a result of the work that was done, then the Board would be within its discretion to take no action. If, however, the responsibility for ceiling maintenance falls on the Board, or the work that was done does cause a safety concern to other units or common property or affects insurance carried by the Association, then the Board should act – first by contacting the owner and asking for a copy of the fire department’s approval.

Sara A. Austin
Austin Law Firm LLC
226 E. Market St.
York, PA 17403
717.846.2246 phone
717.846.2248 fax
saustin@austinlawllc.com