Maintenance tied to building’s age

Regarding “After Two Decades of Calm Living, It’s Condo Chaos,” Jan. 14: The response to the retired professor’s concerns about the increased assessments did not address the fact that the building is at least 30 years old (he said he bought it 30 years ago but did not say whether it was brand-new at the time). As such, for the first 20 years, no major component likely required repair or replacement. As any building ages, however, more and more repairs and maintenance issues arise.

The professor stated that in the first 20 years, there were only two increases. That suggests that the prior boards did not perform their duties in planning for the future to insure that there was a reserve for repairs and replacements of major components as the building aged. I would suggest that it is not the current board that is in breach of its duties, but the past boards who were in breach of theirs.

STEPHANY YABLOW

North Hollywood

The writer is a lawyer whose practice includes advising associations.