INFORMATION FOR CONDO OWNERS

WHAT DOES MY REGIME FEE COVER? 

One of the most frequently asked questions that we hear from condominium owners are what does our "regime fee" cover?
The list below is an example of what your regime fee could provide the services of:

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Pest Control – For the monthly pest control services

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Pest Other – For services not covered by the monthly pest control contract - such as rodent control, trapping, etc.

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Landscaping – For the monthly landscaping contract services, which include mowing, blowing, pruning, fertilizing, and plantings.

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Landscape Other – For services not provided under the landscaping contract. This includes special projects and special plantings.

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Refuse Contract – For the monthly trash contract.

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Pool -Maintenance and cleaning of the swimming pool.

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General Maintenance - Maintenance of common and limited common areas.

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Electricity – For all common electricity throughout the property.

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Water & Sewer – For all common area water and sewer throughout the property.

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Property, Liability, & Flood Insurance – This is the largest budget item on all properties. 

Exterior Capital Expenditures/Reserve – A portion of the Regime fee is put into an account for large projects, such as roof replacement or painting the buildings.

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Management Fee – Management of the operating budget of the regime.

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Legal Fees – Used to pay attorneys for any regime matters that require Litigation, Covenant Review, Rule Enforcement, etc. 

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Professional Fees - For costs related to attorney, CPAs, Reserve Advisers, Engineers, etc.

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Administrative Expenses – Used to pay for things such as copies, supplies and postage.

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SHOULD I HAVE MY OWN CONDO INSURANCE?

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There are three important questions a Unit Owner should ask when considering their insurance needs.

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WHAT DO MY ASSOCIATIONS' MASTER DEED and BY-LAWS STATE ARE MY INSURANCE RESPONSIBILITIES?

HOW IS THE REGIME'S PROPERTY POLICY DEDUCTIBLE HANDLED (AS STATED IN MY ASSOCIATION'S MASTER DEED and BY-LAWS) IN THE EVENT OF A LOSS TO MY UNIT?

WHAT COVERAGES DO I NEED TO PURCHASE?

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The first two questions are easily answered by reading your Association's Master Deed and By-Laws and discussing these with your property management company. Most property policies issued today include an "all in" endorsement which insures interior finishes, appliances, floor coverings, cabinets and countertops. These are considered an actual part of the building and the values are included in the building's "replacement cost" valuation.

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Deductibles are usually either a "common" expense or a "shared" expense. Your Master Deed or By-Laws will instruct you as to how deductibles will be handled if there is a total loss AND a loss that is limited to less than all units. If the deductible is a COMMON EXPENSE, all unit owners will share in the expense. If the deductible is a SHARED EXPENSE, only the unit owners who actually suffer a loss are responsible for the association's property policy deductible.

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From the perspective of coverage for a deductible under your HO6 policy, the deductible MUST be a SHARED EXPENSE. Otherwise, all unit owners in your association would be assessed for the association's property policy deductible according to their percentage of ownership, not just unit owners who actually suffered damage.

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Outlined below is a brief summary of a standard HO6 policy and several OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL COVERAGES AVAILABLE. (Please note that policy coverage forms and options vary with each carrier and it is important to discuss each section and your specific situation with your agent when buying or reviewing this coverage.)

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COVERAGE A: DWELLING (Improvements and Betterments) 
This coverage varies the most with different carriers. Improvements and Betterments refer to any modification of the property which is greater in value than that which was provided during original construction (i.e., upgrades to tile, carpet, wall coverings, large appliances, etc.) This is the section which will provide COVERAGE for your ASSOCIATION'S PROPERTY POLICY DEDUCTIBLE if your Master Deed and/or By-Laws state that deductibles are a SHARED EXPENSE.

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It is important to include the amount of the association's property policy deductible IN ADDITION TO any limits for improvements and betterments that you have made to the unit.

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COVERAGE C: PERSONAL PROPERTY (CONTENTS) 
This is the limit you choose for your contents in the unit (i.e., furniture, dishes, clothes, small appliances, linens, etc.). Most policies require jewelry, fine arts, furs and silverware to be scheduled and require an appraisal to insure. A separate limit is used for such items.

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COVERAGE F&G: PERSONAL LIABILITY & MEDICAL PAYMENTS 
The Personal Liability is usually $300,000, but may be increased to $500,000 with some carriers. This coverage provides liability for you personally for any bodily injury or property damage for which you are legally liable which OCCURS INSIDE YOUR UNIT. Medical payments is an amount included in the policy for any medical expenses resulting from bodily injury within your unit or caused by your activities. This excludes your own medical expenses.

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OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL COVERAGES: 

1) LOSS OF USE - Additional Living Expense or Fair Rental Value 
2) LOSS ASSESSMENT - Payment for any loss assessment charged to all unit owners by association. (Association property policy deductibles are usually excluded.) 
3) REPLACEMENT COST COVERAGE - Contents valuation is Replacement Cost rather than Actual Cash Value (not depreciated).

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