All Forum Posts by: Kunal Balani

@Kris L. I invest in real estate for diversification. Condos allow you to invest in good locations and big cities with lower capital. They hold their value very well if you have done your due diligence about HOA.

@Nathan G. Thanks for your input. There is a difference between potential problem and real problem.

Since my unit is above this will always be the potential problem in every case not just this one. If I am paying either from my pocket or my tenants, I am accepting the premise that in future I will liable by default unless I can prove otherwise. The proof of fault is on me not on them.

May be I am overthinking this but I am here to learn and protect my liability. I am trying to understand process rather than determining the fault. I am happy to pay for damages if process requires me to do so.

Your point about HOA relying on plumbers report makes sense. However, if that is the case it should be their Rules and regulations and not specific to my case. Also, if that's the case are they within their legal bounds to add something like this in their rules and regulations.

I have rented in past and I have been as a tenant on this side. I remember HOA folks came to my apartment to personally supervise the plumbing. The owner discovered their problem in their unit as opposed to mine.

May be I am overthinking this but I believe bigger pockets was designed precisely for this :)

@Nathan G. If required I am will go to tenant. There are multiple problems here

1. Can HOA hold be accountable by default just because my Unit is upstairs ? It seems like they are not considering the alternative that there could be other potential fault.

2. If I was liable by default, they should have reached out to me and asked me to call my plumber. Can they bill me for any absurd amount and expect me to pay for it ?

I am worried about a similar situation. It's easy to hold accountable when you know that law is on your side. I am trying to understand what is HOA is being unreasonable before I pursue my tenant.

@John Underwood there was no leakage found. They had full inspection done twice.

@Nathan G. I have spoke to them but they have shown me pictures about the moist corner when they moved in the apartment.

I also think they are responsible tenants and this potentially could be weather related problem.

They have a Plumber who took pictures in my apartment. The bathroom corners were wet and had some moisture, They said water over-leak could be the only problem. There is nothing else that explains the water leak and based on CCRS the unit above it is responsible. 

I have a condo and there was water leak in the Unit below my Condo, The neighbor called their Plumbers and mentioned that there might be potential water overflow from my Unit in the report. Two weeks later I received a bill from HOA asking me to pay for their damages about 2.5K. [This include paying their Plumbers, repairs for their ceiling]

The tenants say that they didn't do anything. Also, I called a my own plumber to check for any leaks and there was nothing. I am upset because neither HOA nor my neighbor involved me from the beginning.

My concern if this thing happen again and next time the bill might for 30K as I know that Plumbers charge way less than 1.5K for finding problems, I would be liable to pay it because there could be no other potential cause. My insurance agent said my claim would be declined as they won't pay for damages in someones else unit. 

I was thinking to get a lawyer involved but not sure if its worth it. Any suggestions would be really helpful.