What if Something Breaks?
You are responsible for fixing the things that break. That can be one of the major adjustments for those who come from apartment life. If you are used to calling the building superintendent when there is a problem in your apartment, you will have to adjust to the fact that it might look like an apartment, but it's all yours. There is no building manager or managing agent you can call when a faucet drips. It is up to you to have it repaired, just as it is your problem to deal with in a single-family house.
Generally speaking, with a condo, you are responsible for the things inside, and the association is responsible for the things on the outside.
All of this can be a tricky area, however, which is why your community's by-laws are likely to be such a hefty packet. Take, for example, a burst pipe. It is the responsibility of the association to repair a malfunction if it is caused by a problem in the main or branch pipes serving your unit. What occurs within your own four walls — for example, that leaky faucet — is yours to repair.
However, if you notified the association of a plumbing problem within the common walls and they failed to repair it before a pipe burst and ruined your carpeting, the association is likely to be responsible for the damage. You must also allow access to your apartment in order to get that leak fixed. If you refuse, you could be responsible for the cost of repairs to all of the apartments involved! If the workers must break through a wall in your unit to get to some defective pipes that are staining someone else's walls, you must allow them access. After the plumber leaves, the association is required to repair your walls and leave the area clean. The question of whether it's they or you who foots the bill to redecorate (things like paint or wallpaper) is debatable.
Your responsibilities are not exactly those of a tenant or of a totally free owner, either. As owners, you are all mutually dependent on one another. You cannot simply call someone and have a repair taken care of if it affects any common areas. On the other hand, you do not have to shovel your way from the front door to the street and beyond with each snowfall or mow the grass and trim the hedges around your unit, or paint its exterior.
