As an owner, your maintenance responsibilities vary somewhat, depending on where in the community you live. It’s important that owners read the governing documents to understand maintenance responsibilities for both shared and personal space.
Condos
Our covenants assign maintenance responsibility for essentially anything serving a single unit to the individual unit owner whether it is within the unit as a water heater, or outside the unit like water lines serving the unit. Some unit owners have experienced water leaks that impact the commercial unit below. In such cases, the responsibility for the repair is with the individual unit owner. Similarly, leaks associated with a unit's water meter, water heater, PRV, faucets, toilets, condensation lines, etc. are the responsibility of the unit owner.
Also included in the individual unit owner's responsibility are all glass surfaces (including exterior cleaning), windows, window frames and casings and locks (including caulking of windows); all doors, doorways, door frames, and hardware that is part of the entry system of the Unit. You can read about this in more detail in section 18 beginning on page 33 of the Declaration.
A unique feature of a Condos home is the close relationship with the Commercial Association for the businesses below. In the event of a water line leak or other issues that result in damage to a commercial unit below, the Condo owner may be liable for the repair of the source of the leak/issue versus the Commercial Association. Except in a case where the Condo owner has been negligent, the Condo owner would not be liable for repairs to the commercial unit. If the Condo owner is contacted by the commercial unit or Commercial Association, we recommend that an owner contact the Condos Board for guidance.
The Manor
Water leaks within individual units can result in significant water damage to other units. For example, broken refrigerator water lines, leaking hot water tanks, leaking toilet water feed lines, leaking shower bases, and leaking bathroom and kitchen water lines can all cause water damage. IMPORTANT NOTE: If a leak occurs within your unit and causes damage to your unit and/or to any neighboring units, you are responsible for the repair cost.
We strongly recommend that you regularly inspect your unit for wet areas around water-based appliances and turn the water off at the main valve if you are going away for any period of time.
Required HVAC System Maintenance
Recent incidents of water leaks within individual units resulted in significant water damage to surrounding units. The cause of the leaks was line blockage in the HVAC condensate line.
It is strongly recommended that you:
Have your HVAC system serviced twice per year. The contractor must maintain the HVAC units (both on the roof and in your unit), clean the condensate lines and add algae reduction tablets.
Have your HVAC contractor install rubber insulation around the line set for your exterior unit. This insulation reduces strain on your unit.
Regularly inspect your unit for wet areas around water-based appliances and turn the water off at the main valve if you are going away for any period of time.
Important Notice for Manor Unit Owners Regarding HVAC Replacement
Major water damage from fire suppression sprinkler heads in the HVAC area can occur if your HVAC or hot water heater contractor is not knowledgeable. All Manor owners are advised to read THIS NOTICE before hiring an HVAC or hot water heater replacement contractor.
Townhomes
A separate document entitled the "Townhome Association Maintenance Guide" explains the delineation of responsibilities between homeowners and the Townhome HOA. It also provides guidelines to assist homeowners with their maintenance responsibilities. View a pdf version of the guide here Townhome Association Maintenance Guide.
Please note that the Guide is written specifically for Townhome Association members, describing specific policies of the Association, so it does not generally apply to other Olde Ivy Associations.
Recommendations for Plumbing Maintenance
The following are a few critical maintenance issues that affect all of our units:
Please consider shutting off the water to your home when you are going to be out of town for an extended period.
Our units are almost twenty years old and some have experienced age-related plumbing issues. All plumbing fixtures and lines to the sewer main (Condos and Townhomes) are the responsibility of the individual unit owner.
If you experience a plumbing failure in your Manor unit, any damage to a neighboring unit or the units below will be your individual liability. In the Condos and Townhomes, your insurance may or may not cover damage in excess of the deductible.
To avoid problems with plumbing fixtures in your unit, Olde Ivy recommends that you regularly inspect the following elements in your unit, and repair or replace them as needed:
Main water shut-off valve: For this valve to shut off water to your unit, you must be able to move the valve to the full closed position. Older valves may not open fully and may need to be replaced. It is a good idea to “exercise” your water valves regularly (for example, when you change your air-conditioner filter) to ensure that it will work in an emergency.
Water Heaters and Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs): Many of the water heaters and PRVs have been replaced by now. Ten years is a common benchmark for the expected life of water heaters, and many PRVs have gone bad also. In addition to having your water heater and PRV replaced, be sure to inspect for signs of leakage or corrosion and replace your expansion tank and water meter as needed also.
Kitchen sink hoses: Some of these have corroded, rusted, or worn out and begun to leak. The pullout hose wears out and fails; causing a leak under the sink that will also leak into any unit below. Water on the lines or in the cabinet below the sink is a telltale sign. If you still have your original fixture and it is leaking, Moen may provide assistance with replacement based on the warranty.
Garbage disposals: Ten years is a common benchmark for the expected life of kitchen sink disposals also, with leaks suggesting a crack in the housing or another failure, and time for a replacement.
Water line to refrigerator: This line has been known to leak and cause damage to floors (including units below in the Manor), so check it regularly to ensure it is secure and not cracked or leaking. Note that this line should be PEX (cross-linked polyethylene), or steel-jacketed. We strongly recommend against ordinary plastic lines.
Hoses for washing machines: Need to be checked periodically to ensure that it is secure and not cracked. Even better, install PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) or stainless steel mesh hoses. We strongly recommend against ordinary plastic lines.
Pressure regulator valve (PRV): Olde Ivy units require pressure reduction since Cobb County water pressure routinely exceeds safe limits for residences. Since pressure regulator valves can fail, check your unit pressure annually.
Ask a neighbor if you need referrals to plumbers or other providers.
Please be aware that if a leak occurs within your unit and causes damage to your unit and/or to any neighboring units, you are responsible for the repair cost.