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NEGLECTING BUILDING MAINTENANCE IS NO LONGER AN
OPTION
By
Rafael Aquino
Published March 29, 2023
As a Board of Directors, it's crucial to stay on
top of all the components within a building. It's essential to keep
every part functioning well to ensure the safety of occupants and
the property's longevity. Neglecting the maintenance of crucial
components such as the roof, structure, HVAC system can lead to
expensive repairs and even endanger the health and safety of the
association's members. In today's world, staying on top of building
maintenance is more important than ever, avoiding the risks
associated with deferred maintenance.
Unfortunately, some association boards have been
known to neglect essential components, such as the roof, hoping that
a storm would come, and they could replace the entire roof by filing
an insurance claim. This approach was cost-effective for the
association, as the cost of replacing the whole roof would be
covered by insurance claim after a storm. However, this approach is
going to be very limited option, given the recent changes to one-way
attorney fees.
The recent changes to one-way attorney fees have
made it essential for association boards to prioritize building
maintenance. Neglecting important components is no longer
cost-effective, as the risks associated with deferred maintenance
far outweigh any potential cost savings. Failing to maintain
elements such as the roof, structures, and HVAC system could result
in expensive repairs and legal fees, not to mention the harm it
could cause to the occupants.
Staying on top of building maintenance involves
regular inspections, timely repairs, and proactive maintenance.
Regular inspections can help identify issues before they become
significant problems, and timely repairs can prevent minor issues
from becoming major expenses. Proactive maintenance, such as routine
cleaning of gutters and drains, annual roofing contractor
inspections, strict policies for accessing the roof, can prevent
issues from occurring in the first place. In addition to regular
maintenance, keeping accurate records of maintenance activities is
essential. This documentation demonstrates that the association
board has proactively maintained the property, which can help defend
against negligence claims.
In conclusion, staying on top of building
maintenance is more critical than ever. Neglecting essential
components can lead to expensive repairs, legal fees, and harm to
occupants.
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As the Co-Founder and CEO
of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to
redefine excellence. They serve community associations
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and effectively with
dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive
spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management
Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and
excitement when providing expert advice to its board
members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running
a community association.
Since 2007, Rafael has
developed a work culture that values responsive and
high-quality services. He has led his team by following
a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach
Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each
association. Today, Affinity Management Services
maintains its success and benefits as a result of the
foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by
providing educational seminars, continuing education
classes for association managers and board members
alike.
Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’
associations save money and improve their communities.
His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps
him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael
is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out
for the best interests of his clients and communities,
and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role
requires coordination and communication, as such he
takes logical and intelligent steps to approach
challenges head-on.
As a graduate of Florida International University’s
electrical engineering program and a licensed community
association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip
him with unique insights to tackle complex problems
through critical thinking. He understands how each
component within a system works together in order to
effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and
conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple
challenges of running a community association management
company, he understands how each property is its own
unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure
that all their needs are met.
For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity
Management Services please visit
www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279
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Doral Office: 8200 NW 41st ST
Suite 200
Doral, FL 33166
Broward Office: 150 S Pine Island RD Suite 300
Plantation, FL 33324
O: 800-977-6279 ● F: 305-325-4053
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