Condominium owners will likely face certain issues with respect to their rights and responsibilities in the aftermath of a hurricane.  The Miami-Dade County Consumer Services Department provides answers to some of the most common questions.

Question: Who pays the cost of repairing hurricane damage to condominiums?
Answer: Insurance purchased by the homeowners association will pay repair or replacement costs associated with damage to common areas of the development. These common areas include roofs, exterior walls, balconies, elevators, hallways, parking lots, pools and laundry and recreational facilities and equipment.

Question: How do I know if my condo association has insurance?
Answer: Florida law requires condominium homeowners associations to maintain insurance coverage on all common areas of the development. This insurance is purchased with the maintenance fees paid by individual unit owners.

Question: Who pays repair and replacement costs for walls, appliances and furniture inside individual units?
Answer: Individual condo owners are responsible for paying costs associated with damaged property inside their units. Homeowners insurance purchased by individual unit owners will pay for many of these costs. Walls that are shared by two or more units are considered common areas and will be repaired through the association's insurance.

Question: Who is responsible for air conditioning units or water heaters located outside apartments?
Answer: An appliance located outside the home that is intended to provide service to a single home only, is the responsibility of the unit owner.  If the appliance or equipment is intended to be shared by two or more units it is considered common property, and the homeowners association is responsible for repair or replacement.

Question: Can I withhold my maintenance payments if the condominium association does not repair damage to the common areas?
Answer: No. You must continue to pay your maintenance charge. If the condominium association refuses to repair the damage, you may request arbitration from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Bureau of Condominiums at 1-800-226-9101.

Consumers in doubt as to where to get help on this or other related issues can call the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Mediation Center at (305) 375-3677.