Living in a condo community means sharing some spaces and being responsible for others. It can be a bit confusing to figure out what’s what, so let’s break down the three main categories: common elements, limited common elements, and your unit property.

1. Common Elements: What We All Share
Think of common elements as the parts of the building that everyone in the condo community uses and benefits from. These are generally owned by the condominium association (that is, owned jointly by all the unit owners). The association is responsible for maintaining and repairing them.

• Examples in Our Building:
  • Lobby & Entryways: The front entrance, hallways, and any shared lobby areas.
  • Elevators & Stairwells: The elevators, staircases, and landings that allow access to units.
  • Exterior Walls & Roof: The exterior of the building, including the roof.
  • Building Systems: Main plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling systems (the pipes and equipment outside of your unit).
  • Community Amenities: Gym, pool, party room.
• Who Pays? The condominium association, funded by condo fees paid by all unit owners, is responsible for the cost of maintaining and repairing these areas.

2. Limited Common Elements: For Your Benefit (and Maybe a Few Others)
Limited common elements are parts of the building that are primarily for the benefit of one or more unit owners. While they’re still technically owned by the condo association, the responsibility for upkeep, and often repair, can fall to the unit owner who benefits from it.

• Examples in Our Building:
  • Balconies and Patios: The balcony or patio, concrete and railings, is considered a limited common element.
  • Parking Spaces: While common elements in many buildings, ours are assigned or deeded parking spaces and can are considered a limited common element by our documents.
  • Windows and Doors: In our case, the windows and doors that are part of your exterior may be considered limited common elements.
  • Heating/Cooling Unit (FCU): As we explained in the article about heating and cooling, your Fan Coil Unit (FCU) is a limited common element.
• Who Pays? Typically, individual unit owners are responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of their limited common elements.

3. Unit Property: What’s Yours Inside

Your unit property is the interior space of your condo, from the Sheetrock of the walls inward. This is what you own solely. You are fully responsible for the maintenance, repair, and alterations to your unit property.

• Examples in Our Building:
  • Interior Walls: The walls inside your unit.
  • Flooring & Ceiling: Carpets, tiles, paint, and ceilings within your unit.
  • Kitchen & Bathroom Fixtures: Sinks, faucets, toilets, cabinetry.
  • Appliances: Refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washer/dryer.
  • Personal Belongings: Furniture, decorations, etc.
• Who Pays? You, as the unit owner, are responsible for all costs associated with maintaining and repairing your unit property.

Quick Check Guide:

Not sure if something is common, limited common or unit property? Here’s a basic idea of how to check:

• If the entire community uses this, or benefits from this, it is a common element.
• If only your unit, or a select group of units, uses it or benefits from it, it is a limited common element.
• If it is within the walls of your unit, it is your property.

As always, please let me know if you have additions, changes, or corrections.