CONDO OWNER LIABILITY

[W***@gmail.com]

I am a 2nd floor condominium owner. Over the past 3 months my
downstairs neighbor has been complaining about intermitent leaks.
After 3 months of dragging their feet, the association said that they
found the leak and that it is my responsibility to pay for those
damages.

To top it all off, my neighbor is trying to get me to reimburse him for
damages that happened prior to me taking ownership of the unit.

I have 2 questions:

1. Wouldn't the Association's homeowner's policy be responsible for the
accidental water damage. After all, it was not willfully or
negligently caused.

2. Wouldn't the liability of any damage prior to my ownership rest with
the previous owner (if any liability rests with the owner at all)?

I live in Winter Park, FL. HELP!!

[Kristian M Zoerhoff]

Post by W***@gmail.com
1. Wouldn't the Association's homeowner's policy be responsible for the
accidental water damage. After all, it was not willfully or
negligently caused.

Possibly, but it depends on if the leak was actually in your unit, or in an
area between units. I'd talk to your insurance agent to see what he thinks.
Willfullness will most likely have nothing to do with it.

Post by W***@gmail.com
2. Wouldn't the liability of any damage prior to my ownership rest with
the previous owner (if any liability rests with the owner at all)?

Yes, but you're the easier target. Don't let this guy steamroll you.