HOAs and HVAC Installation and Repairs: Who’s Responsible?

Here’s a fun fact: if you Google HOA horror stories, your search will return more than 4.5 million results. Here’s a not-so-fun fact: if you’re one of the 74.1 million people who lives in a home affiliated with an HOA, you could easily be among those dismal statistics when it’s time to figure out HVAC repair in an HOA, to say nothing of HVAC installations and repairs in Sacramento. Before you pick up the phone to call Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning for service, there are a few things you should know.

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Who’s Responsible for HVAC Installations and Maintenance?

If you belong to an HOA, you’re bound by an agreement called a CC&R, the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. And boy, are there restrictions. When it comes to who’s responsible for what, we can summarize by saying that the HOA will typically be responsible for installation and maintenance issues in common areas. However, what’s defined as a common area — and the kinds of restrictions you’ll face as a result — vary depending on the kind of home you own.

Attached Homes

AC installations in townhomes, condos, or Co-Ops have different considerations than detached homes. In the latter instance, the “common area” is usually that which is visible from outside; however, in attached homes, common areas typically include entryways and hallways on one hand, and shared ductwork, crawl spaces, attic spaces, and even shared furnaces, central air, and water heaters on the other. So a rooftop condenser, or one outdoors that serves multiple units, is the HOA’s responsibility. But if you’re calling for furnace repair on a unit in your home, or air conditioner repair for the air handler, those items are the homeowner’s responsibility.

Detached Homes

While detached homes have fewer common areas, you can still encounter problems with air conditioning repairs and installations. Remember, your CC&R spells out detailed requirements for the location of outdoor units, plus their appearance and the amount of noise they give off. The sole exception here would be repairs incurred by misconduct or negligence stemming from the HOA (for instance, damage to an outdoor unit caused by a maintenance crew contracted by the HOA).

HOA HVAC Requirements and Restrictions

HOAs don’t just collect money from fees and dues; many rely heavily on fines, an effect that’s only compounded if a board member treats your neighborhood like their personal fiefdom. Worse still, many fines can be assessed for each day that a violation is in effect, so it’s important to stick to the letter of your CC&R, regardless of how onerous it may be. While we often encourage folks to contact Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning for service, your first stop should actually be your contract.

• See what kinds of units are permitted, or forbidden; some covenants won’t allow window units, or ductless split systems, and will further spell out restrictions for central air
• In attached homes with shared ductwork, even calling us for duct cleaning may incur someone’s wrath
• For repairs that are the HOA’s responsibility, there are often contracts in place with maintenance or property management companies, tying your hands if you find service too slow, or the repairs ineffective

What recourse do you have? Check your CC&R, take notes, and go to the board. Whatever you’re told, get it in writing before you get in touch with an Ace.

HOA HVAC Service in the Greater Sacramento Area

Dealing with an HOA can feel as though it’s one headache after the next. Your home heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality shouldn’t be yet another problem. Remember that even though your HOA may be unresponsive, you won’t have that problem with Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning. We’re always here for you, 24/7/365!