The tragedy that unfolded when a section of a condominium collapsed in Florida last month pointed up something that had previously received little attention. The lack of maintenance can have devastating effects.
One of the attractions of condominium living is not having to worry about routine maintenance. Typically, lawns are mowed, driveways are plowed, and leaves are raked. However, when a big expense occurs, the owners have to agree on having the job done.
While there usually is a maintenance fee in the condo agreements, the fund may not have enough to cover a major item like re-roofing. If the owners do not agree on an additional assessment, or the need for the work, maintenance gets deferred. Without periodic inspections for problems due to an aging building, owners may not realize there is a problem at all.
The Florida tragedy has awakened some condo owners to the risks that may be present, but how seriously they take those risks, especially as news reports move on to other things, remains to be seen.
Owning one’s own home means taking on continual maintenance, but at least when something needs to be done, it doesn’t take a committee to make the decision to pay for repairs.
CAP’s Role
A reader pointed out a seeming inconsistency with the Community Action Program. Yesterday we reported that CAP is the designated agency to distribute federal rental assistance funds to help tenants facing eviction to remain in their apartments. CAP traditionally distributes food and fuel aid to needy families as well.
However, in Laconia, CAP sold an apartment building to developer Scott Everett who has served eviction notices to the tenants because he plans to tear the building down in order to make way for his planned 29,500-square-foot building that will offer commercial space on the ground floor and 17 residential units on the second and third floors. The displaced tenants are wondering where they will live in the short term and will likely not be able to afford the new apartments.
One wonders whether CAP was aware that Everett would be evicting tenants when it agreed to the sale.
A Life Lesson
One of the things that have been impressed upon me at this week’s retreat is the need to be aware of how our actions affect others. Not a new lesson, but it was presented in various ways, from different directions.
Much of it involves intentions. By setting one’s intentions, the outcome for all parties can be positive, rather than negative, even though outwardly, nothing has changed.
The story that resonated the most was of a grandchild considering visiting his/her grandmother. Perhaps the person dislikes having to drive the distance and feels put-upon because everyone is pressuring him/her to make the visit. If that person goes with a feeling of resentment, knowing he/she will hate every moment and will be miserable on the way home, no one will enjoy the visit. If, instead, the person acknowledges that it is a long distance but that the grandmother’s life will soon be ending and there is much to share, the intention to make the most of the moment will color the experience for everyone. It is no longer an unwanted chore, but an appreciation of the connection.
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