Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Long Term R&R fund for windows

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

We just had a discussion on this on the reservestudy list. You might  
join and look at archives. I don't know if everyone on that list is on  
this list but this is the only place I have announced it. to join, a  
blank message to:

reservestudy-subscribe [at] yahoogroups.com

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On Mar 9, 2009, at 2:56 PM, Randy Sailer wrote:

> Advantages of the community collecting:
> Builds reserve and makes it easy to replace the windows when  
> necessary.
> Ensures windows are replaced when bad (thus preventing damage to other
> elements in the event of failure)
> Forced savings for association members that makes sure the windows get
> replaced.
> Community standard for quality of new windows easier to enforce.

Another argument for this is the hesitance to police our neighbors in  
cohousing. if the owner is responsible, not only do the standards for  
replacing windows have to be very clear, but someone has to police them.

Who says, a unit's windows need to be replaced and what do you do if  
the owner doesn't comply? At almost 9 years after move-in, we are  
finding a number of areas that some of us think need maintenance. it  
is hard enough to get everyone to adopt the same standards, much less  
pay for it.

You can do annual inspections to determine if windows are leaking but  
no one wants to go into people's unit if they aren't home and it can   
take 2-3 weeks to catch everyone at home, even if you schedule appts.

> Advantages of individual owners paying for replacement at time of  
> need:
> Lower on-going condo fee.
> Individual unit owners responsible for maintenance (ownership of
> maintenance).

This may be included under "ownership of maintenance, but how the  
windows are constructed is a factor. Ours have fragile internal parts  
and the maker has gone bankrupt, probably not a coincidence. How the  
unit owner treats the up and down of the windows and how athletic they  
are when removing them for cleaning will determine how soon they need  
to be replaced.

i have fresh air vent with fan on the HVAC that constantly circulates  
and filters my air. I open doors instead of windows. I will be dead  
and gone before my windows need to be replaced. Several other units  
have already had to adapt replacement parts from other manufacturers.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing,Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org