Limited common elements (LCE) in condominiums can be spaces or things. Spaces are like parking spots, decks, and storage closets. Things are like fireplaces, windows, or wires.
When the LCE is a space, the boundaries of the space need to be defined so that the maintenance and repair responsibility can be allocated to the association or the unit to which the LCE is assigned. Often, maybe even usually, the boundary of a LCE space is the interior of the surfaces that surround the space. For a parking space it is the pavement below and the lines on each side. For a deck it is the walls, railing, soffit above, and structure below that define the LCE space.
The LCE is NOT the structure of the building which creates the space. Just as it would not be reasonable to expect an owner to repair the concrete and steel structure below a LCE parking space in a parking garage, it is not reasonable to expect an owner to repair the structure under their deck surface.
The deck surface is almost always the boundary between the common area structure and LCE deck space. Some declarations are vague as to where the boundary is, and whether a waterproof deck coating is part of the common structure, just like a roof, or if it is a “finished surface” within the boundaries of the deck space assigned to an owner.
We have rarely seen an association define the deck coatings and repair responsibility in advance of some repair project, following which a dispute arose about who would pay for the work. We strongly recommend that you resolve the responsibility for performing work on these deck surfaces and responsibility for paying for the work, prior to doing the work, so that you will avoid conflict and disputes among neighbors. This is often something that requires expertise in both construction and law to resolve.
Your association may wish to consider requesting a “maintenance matrix” from your association attorney. This is a detailed document that will pinpoint the ownership of every building element, who is responsible for maintaining and repairing that element, and who must pay for that maintenance and repair. A maintenance matrix can prevent confusion over who pays for what, and can also pinpoint areas of ambiguity or even outright contradiction in your governing documents. Ambiguities can be resolved by a reasonable board resolution clarifying the responsibility for the relevant element, or the association may need to consider amending the declaration to make it clear – who owns what? Who has to take care of it? And who pays for that care?
If you have any questions we can answer, please feel free to leave a comment or contact us directly. We look forward to continuing this conversation with you in our future posts!
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I was an HOA manager (CAI Certified CMCA) before I became a contractor and consultant installing, fixing and replacing waterproof decks.
I would maintain that a waterproof deck is a roof first, then a deck that is able to be walked on.
ICC-ES classifies deck coatings under DIVISION – 07 00 00 THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION
07 18 13 – Pedestrian Traffic Coatings
Condo’s are usually responsible for roof maintenance and replacement-that should include decks over living spaces as the roof deck is protecting the dry space below.
HOA’s that delegate the maintenance of decks to the individual owners are putting a lot at risk, as owners don’t usually maintain the deck until it’s leaking.
Owners can’t take advantage of bulk purchasing like the HOA can. The HOA, when it’s bidding to reseal 200 decks, gets a huge price break by buying in bulk. Production work lowers costs.
One owner calling me with one 8×10′ deck to reseal is going to pay 4-6x the amount the HOA would when they have 200 decks to do.
It’s cheaper to maintain than replace, never put tile on a deck that wasn’t built and designed for it, repair decks ASAP whena report of a problem comes in and you will lower your costs of ownership greatly.
Bill Leys-The Deck Expert
I read what you had to say about the deck. I am facing a situation now with the hoa board about my deck. How could I find out when was the last time the deck was serviced by the previous owners? Please let know before 9-26-2011. I became the owner of the property of 10-3-2003 and the building was built in 1985.
Janette, I’m so sorry I didn’t respond to your comment earlier; I was on maternity leave! I hope you found the answer you needed.
We belong to a condo association in Port Townsend WA. There are 37 units in 4 buildings, some are single level and some are two level. There are 19 units with ground floor access out to the common yard area. All ground floor units have at least one if not two patios and three of the units also have wood decks extending from the concrete patios. Several of us wish to add small (15′ x 10′) decks off of our patios. The current board is stating that the current decks are grandfathered in and new ones would be transferring common access to limited common. There has been a consensus that a community vote as described in the bylaws will be needed to approve the new decks even though several exist already. The current board is mandating a legal land survey and a full legal description of the proposed decks and locations before they will allow the vote to take place. This seems an undue burden for a simple deck that would actually only cover space currently utilized by the individual units.
Has anyone else had this experience and am I incorrect in thinking that this is a tactic to prevent the item being brought to a community vote?
Thank you for contemplating.
Bill