My question involves a condominium located in the State of: Florida
Last Wednesday (10/2) I had water damage in my condo (I am the condo owner). This damage involved a wet carpet (soaking wet to the touch), damage to the baseboard separating the wall and carpet, and damage to a floor lamp and desk. My contractor (a contractor I have hired for work in my condo previously, not affiliated with the Condo Association/Management) came out the next day to assess the damage and confirmed that the water came in from cracks on the exterior of the wall (the exterior of the wall where the water damage took place is outside). My contractor also stated that failure to repair the cracks immediately will result in more structural damage during additional rain fall.
ServPro also came out to my condo the next day to assess the damage and indicated a high risk of mold growth unless the water source was repaired immediately.
On Monday, the Senior Engineer from my Condo Association/Management came out to inspect the damage and confirmed that the source of the water was from the cracks in the exterior part of the wall and actually identified additional exterior cracks (additional to what my contractor identified).
The Senior Engineer indicated that he would file the report with the Condo Association/Management, but indicated that it would take several weeks for anything to get done. I asked him about the continuing damage that would result from water entering the exposed cracks and he replied that it was my problem to deal with. I pressed him about what can be done as temporary accommodations (i.e. putting a tarp on the cracks, preventing mold growth, etc.) and he said this was all my responsibility to pay for and repair until his report of the damage is reviewed and approved by the Condo Association/Management.
I have tried several times the past nearly week now to contact the Property Manager, but despite multiple attempts to set up phone call meetings with him (through the Assistant Property Manager) he has not returned my calls. I have gone in person to the Property Manager's office on three different instances since last Wednesday, but he has not been there any of the times to meet (all during business hours).
My insurance company, my contact at ServPro and my contractor have all indicated that repairs to prevent further water entry must be made immediately to prevent further structural damage or mold growth.
My question is what options do I have, from a legal standpoint to force my Condo Association/Property Manager to act immediately to make repairs. Also if I go ahead and pay for the repairs myself (my contractor has already given me a cost estimate) and the water clean-up (ServPro has given me an estimate), do I have legal grounds to seek reimbursement from Condo Association/Management?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
-Jessica

