Who Pays for Plumbing Repairs in an HOA?

Key Takeaways:

• If your Los Angeles area property is part of an HOA, it’s important to know who’s responsible for paying for various plumbing services. 
• Most HOAs are responsible for paying for repairs of shared or “common” plumbing, while the homeowner is responsible for paying for repairs to fixtures, appliances, and pipes inside their own property. 
• Power Plumbing provides a range of professional plumbing services to HOA communities, property managers, and homeowners. 

Who Pays for Plumbing Repairs in an HOA?

From condos and townhomes to planned communities, many homeowners in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles area are part of a Homeowners Association, or HOA. If you’re a member of an HOA, you may wonder who is actually responsible for paying for HOA plumbing repairs. The experienced team at Power Plumbing has answers for local homeowners regarding their property’s plumbing and their actual plumbing responsibilities versus what the HOA should handle. 

HOA vs. Homeowner Plumbing Responsibilities

When it comes to homeowner vs HOA responsibility in our region, the person or people responsible for plumbing is governed by California Civil Code 4775, also known as the Davis-Stirling Act. This code sets default repair, maintenance, and plumbing replacement rules for individual owners and HOAs. Unless the HOA’s governing documents state something explicitly different, the statute splits the responsibilities between the HOA and the property owner. 

Plumbing Repairs the HOA May Be Responsible For

Here are some HOA plumbing responsibilities that the association may be responsible for:

• Shared water supply lines and main sewer lines that run through common areas.
• Any pipes serving multiple units, or pipes that pass through shared structures.
• Outdoor underground pipes and sewer lines, meters, and main valves before the line splits between individual properties.
• Repairs required when pipes burst or fail in common areas, although this could vary based on governing documents and master insurance coverage. 

Plumbing Repairs Homeowners May Be Responsible For

While the HOA plumbing responsibility tends to apply to common or shared plumbing, the homeowner is generally responsible for paying for services that serve their individual property, including:

• Interior fixtures such as toilets, sinks, tubs, and showers.
• Pipes and plumbing lines that only serve the homeowner’s specific unit.
• All water-using appliances, like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters.
• Clogs, blockages, or any damage that originates inside the homeowner’s interior walls or floors from their fixtures. 
• Repairs inside the property, like paint, flooring, and drywall, that result from an internal leak.

Who Is Responsible for Pipes Inside the Walls?

Who pays for plumbing repairs in an HOA if pipes inside the walls are affected? Shared main sewer stacks, drain lines, and water supply lines running through walls that serve several units at once are generally the HOA’s responsibility to repair. Common area plumbing, like pipes in a shared wall cavity that transport water to more than one home, is also the HOA’s responsibility to repair. Unless the HOA rules state otherwise, repairs of multi-unit and structural pipes are the HOA’s responsibility per California law.

What Happens When a Plumbing Leak Damages Multiple Units?

Plumbing repairs in HOA communities can become a bit complicated when a leak damages multiple units. Several factors determine who’s responsible when this type of plumbing incident occurs:

• Pipes in common areas: Shared main water supply lines, stacks, and drain lines that leak inside a slab or common wall are the HOA’s responsibility to repair.

• Individual fixtures: If a leak damages multiple units and it came from a homeowner’s own toilet, supply line, appliance, or shower pan, the homeowner is responsible for the damage to their own property and any neighboring units.

• Negligence: Owners who ignore a known leak or delay reporting it to their HOA can be held legally responsible for the damage to all of the affected units. 

How HOA Governing Documents Determine Plumbing Responsibility

HOA governing documents should have specific language regarding the managed property, townhome, or condo’s plumbing responsibility. These documents should clarify the differences between shared and exclusive service, such as pipes that serve multiple units or the entire building (shared) versus lines that branch off to serve the owner’s unit (exclusive). In some cases, the HOA pipe responsibility depends on physical boundaries, like unfinished surfaces of floors, walls, or ceilings, or the building’s main shut-off valve or water meter. Certain areas like patios, balconies, and some exterior lines belonging to a single owner may have specific rules regarding residential and commercial plumbing repair responsibilities outlined in the governing document as well. 

Why Preventative Plumbing Maintenance Matters for HOAs

Scheduling routine, preventative HOA plumbing maintenance matters for HOAs because: 

• It lowers repair costs by fixing small issues early before they turn into major plumbing emergencies.
• It helps the board avoid budget shortfalls that may force them to increase monthly HOA fees. 
• It keeps main valves and other equipment and appliances in good condition to prolong their lifespans.
• It prevents mold and mildew growth due to leaks that could pose a risk to homeowners’ health.
• It keeps water away from the structure, protecting floors and walls from rot and other damage. 
• It prevents major pipe bursts that could leave homeowners without water while repairs are made. 

When to Call an HOA Plumber

Whether you’re a member of the board or an individual homeowner, here’s when to call an experienced HOA plumber:

• There is a major water leak inside or outside near your property.
• The main sewer is backed up indoors or outside near common areas or landscaping.
• A pipe originating from shared lines or a common area is leaking or has burst.
• Multiple units are affected by plumbing leaks from an individual unit or a common space.
• The main building’s water shut-off fails.

Contact Power Plumbing Today!

Power Plumbing has extensive experience working with HOA communities throughout the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles areas. For more information about HOA plumbing services or to request an appointment, contact Power Plumbing today!