Condo Media - September 2015 - 44

The Region

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Watch Out for Old Man Winter
Get Ready Now for the Months Ahead
[by Gary M. Daddario, Esq., CCAL]

As much as I typically enjoy writing, putting finger to keyboard
on this article right now pains me
for at least two reasons. First, as I
write, we're enjoying the summer heat,
and I certainly hope there are many
fair-weathered and nice days left to
this season. Second, I get the feeling
that, collectively, we haven't all gotten
over last winter yet.
All of the above being said, the reality is that in just a few months, it will
be time to prepare for another round
of fall and winter. Come to think of
it, it's precisely the preparation that
might spare us some of the seasonal
headaches. So, as much as we may be
reluctant to accept another winter
rolling in, let's talk about how to
weather it successfully.
PREPARE VACANT UNITS,
COMMON AREAS
A successful winter may be created in
the fall. Several associations per year
suffer the tragic consequences of frozen and burst pipes. These tend to occur in units that have been abandoned
or foreclosed upon but left empty, or
whose owners have escaped the harsh
climate for a vacation. In any event, a
vacant unit that's not properly winterized may cause a serious amount of
property damage.
Prior to the long stretches of freezing temperatures is the time to identify at-risk units and take appropriate
action. A reminder to the community
might get the job done for vacationers.
For foreclosed units, a letter to the
foreclosing entity might prompt them
to send out the winterization team.
Abandoned units present the biggest
challenge. It may be necessary for
the association to enter the unit and

CONDOMEDIA

PREVENTING SLIP AND FALLS
Slip and fall accidents are a staple of association woes. Other than arranging for appropriate snow removal efforts from qualified vendors, associations can attempt to
avoid accidents by properly communicating with residents. Newsletters and memos
issued in advance of snow may keep residents from placing themselves at risk.
These documents can educate the community as to the timeframe within which the
snow removal contractor will clear snow or the fact that residents aren't allowed to
perform any type of work, including snow removal, outside of their units.
winterize it. Most condo documents
have some language regarding this
authority. If necessary, legal counsel
can be of assistance.
Another late summer/fall issue is
the overall preparation of the common
areas. For instance, associations with
pools need them to be properly closed.
It's recommended that you include this
aspect of service in the annual agreement with your pool vendor. This will
allow the job specifications, price, and
date for performance of the task to be
determined in advance, thus reducing
the chances of last-minute problems.
Similarly, in preparation for snow
removal efforts, there may be a need
to stake out the boundaries of roadways, driveways, and parking lots.
Certain landscaping (e.g., young or

small shrubs) may require protective
covers. Fallen leaves need to go and
perhaps containers of sand and/or salt
will be arriving. Again, by including
these items in the appropriate vendor
contracts, the job specifications, prices,
and completion dates can be set in
advance and problems will (hopefully)
be avoided.
CONTRACT DETAILS
Whether due to more snow, more
accidents, or both, snow removal
contracts have become a buzz topic in
recent years. As noted above, proper
cleaning, staking, and similar activities are best for preparing the property for snow removal efforts. Taking
some time to walk the property with
the snow removal vendor may be help-

Condo Media - September 2015

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