Stop guessing
who pays for what
Get a clear responsibility matrix and buyer checklist that prevents surprises — special assessments, hidden maintenance obligations, and repair disputes you didn't see coming.
How CondoWorkbook helps you
Condo responsibility rules are buried in CC&Rs, bylaws, and rules no one reads. We translate them into clear, practical tools.
Identify the component
Windows? Plumbing? Balcony? Find the specific building component you have questions about.
Learn the typical pattern
See how most HOAs allocate responsibility for that component — and where yours might differ.
Check your documents
Use our decision tree to find the answer in your CC&Rs, bylaws, rules, and insurance policies.
Know what to ask
Get the exact questions to ask your HOA board, property manager, or insurance agent.
Everything you need to know
Three comprehensive guides covering responsibility, due diligence, and operations — each backed by downloadable templates.
Responsibility Guide
Who actually pays for windows, roofs, plumbing, HVAC, and 25+ other components? We break down the typical patterns and show you exactly where to look in your docs.
Read the guideDue Diligence Checklist
Buying a condo? Review reserve studies, meeting minutes, insurance policies, and financial docs before you close. Avoid special assessments and hidden costs.
Read the guideResponsibility Charts
Board member or property manager? Build a clear maintenance responsibility chart your entire community can reference. Templates and processes included.
Read the guideComponent library
Deep dives into specific building components.
Windows
ExteriorWindow frames, glass, seals, and hardware — one of the most disputed responsibility areas.
Roof
StructuralRoof structure, membrane, flashing, and drainage — usually HOA but not always.
Balconies
ExteriorBalcony surfaces, waterproofing, railings, and drainage — a common gray area.
Exterior Doors
ExteriorEntry doors, frames, hardware, and weather stripping — varies widely by HOA.
Plumbing
PlumbingSupply lines, drain lines, fixtures — the boundary usually depends on location.
HVAC
MechanicalHeating, cooling, and ventilation units — individual vs shared system matters.
Settle repair questions with your own documents
A 140-page PDF that takes you from "who pays for this?" to a clear, documented answer: a responsibility matrix for 30+ components, repair worksheets, an incident log, buyer checklists, and ready-written questions for your board and insurance agent.
All guides
Who pays for repairs
- Are Windows HOA Responsibility or Homeowner? How to Check Your Docs
- Balcony Leaks: HOA vs Owner Responsibility (and What to Ask)
- Condo AC Drain Line Leaking in the Ceiling: Owner or HOA?
- Condo Dryer Vents: Who Cleans and Repairs Them?
- Condo Patios, Decks and Terraces: Who Pays for Repairs, Gates and Enclosures
- Condo Pest Control: Who Pays for Termites, Rodents, and Bed Bugs?
- Condo Pipe Burst: Who Pays for the Pipe and the Damage?
- Condo Sewer Backups: Who Pays for the Clog and the Cleanup?
- Condo Storm Damage: Who Pays After Wind, Hail, or a Hurricane?
- Condo Structural Repairs: Who Pays, and How the Bill Is Split
- Condo Unit Boundaries Explained: What You Own vs What the HOA Owns
- Condo Water Heaters: Who Pays for Replacement and Leak Damage?
- Dishwasher Leaking Downstairs in a Condo: Who Pays for the Damage?
- Do NJ Condo Driveways Have to Be Replaced Every Few Years? What the Law Says
- Does HO-6 Insurance Cover Water Damage From the Unit Above?
- Drywall and Interior Finishes: When the HOA Covers Damage (and When They Don't)
- Electrical Panels and Wiring: HOA vs Owner Responsibility
- Exterior Doors and Frames: Who Replaces Them in a Condo?
- Garage Doors and Parking Structures: HOA Responsibility Patterns
- HO-6 Insurance: What It Covers and What It Does Not
- HOA Master Policy: Does It Cover Walls-In or Bare Walls?
- HOA vs Homeowner Repairs: Who Pays for What in a Condo?
- HVAC in a Condo: Who Is Responsible for Heating and Cooling?
- Letter to a Neighbor About Water Damage From Their Unit
- Letter to the Condo Board or HOA to Repair Leak Damage
- Limited Common Elements: Balconies, Patios, and 'It Depends' Areas
- Main Electrical Box for All Units: Utility, HOA or Owner?
- Mold in a Condo: Who Pays for Mold Remediation?
- My Condo Leaked Into the Unit Below: Am I Responsible?
- No Heat in Your Condo: Who Fixes the Boiler, and Does the HOA Owe You a Hotel?
- Plumbing Leaks in a Condo: Inside Wall vs Shared Lines
- Shower or Bathtub Leaking Into the Ceiling Below: Who Pays?
- Slab Leak in a Condo or Co-op: Who Fixes the Pipe and Who Pays for the Floor
- Toilet Overflow Water Damage to the Ceiling Below: Who Pays?
- Washing Machine Leaking Downstairs in a Condo: Who Is Responsible?
- Water Leak in Your Condo: What to Do in the First 48 Hours
- Water Leaking From the Condo Above: Who Pays for the Damage?
- Who Is Responsible for the Subfloor in a Condo? Owner vs Association
- Who Pays for a Wheelchair Ramp in a Condo? Temporary and Permanent Ramps
- Who Pays for the Roof in a Condo or Townhome HOA?
Buying and insurance
- Condo Resale Certificate: What Is in It and How to Read It
- Condo Reserve Study: What to Look For and Red Flags to Watch
- HOA Insurance Deductibles: The Hidden Risk Condo Buyers Miss
- HOA Litigation: What It Means for Buyers and Insurance Rates
- HOA Meeting Minutes: What to Scan for in 30 Minutes
- How to Request HOA Documents Before Buying a Condo
- Is a Condo Special Assessment Tax Deductible?
- Master Policy vs HO-6: What's Actually Covered and What's Not
- Special Assessments: How They Happen and How to Spot Risk Early
Board process and letters
- Chargeback Letter to an Owner for HOA Repair Costs: Sample and Steps
- Condo Board Approval Process for Renovations and Buyers
- Condo Board Meeting Agenda Template: What to Include, With a Free Sample
- Condo Reserve Study Sample: Requirements, Template and How to Read One
- Condo Special Assessment Payment Plan: What to Do If You Can't Pay
- Handling Repair Disputes: A Step-by-Step Process for HOA Boards
- HOA Rule Violation Letter (First Notice): Sample and What to Include
- How to Build a Maintenance Responsibility Chart (with Template)
- How to Respond to an HOA Violation Letter (With a Sample Reply)
- Special Assessment Notice Letter to Owners: Sample and Checklist
- Water Leak Notice Letter to Condo Owners: Shutoff, Access and Who Pays
Get the free Responsibility Matrix
Our most-downloaded template. See who is typically responsible for windows, roof, plumbing, HVAC, and 25+ more components, then note what your CC&Rs say. Free, sent to your inbox.
Get the free matrixWant the fill-in version with repair worksheets and board scripts? See the CondoWorkbook ($19)
Built for clarity, not legal advice
Every condo is different. Your CC&Rs, bylaws, and state laws determine who is actually responsible. We give you the framework, the questions, and the tools to figure it out — but we always say the same thing: check your governing documents and consult a qualified professional when you need specific advice.