Wind Mitigation: Complex Issue For Owners Of A Townhome
Living in townhomes can present unique challenges when it comes to wind mitigation, especially in areas prone to high winds and storms. This week we are including some stories about how keeping Wind Mitigation features up to date is vital for the whole complex, not just the individual townhome.
Shared Roof Damage in a Townhome Complex
A group of townhomes with inadequate wind mitigation suffered extensive roof damage during a hurricane. Since townhomes often share walls and roof structures, the damage was not confined to just one unit but affected several homes in the complex, leading to complex insurance claims and disputes among homeowners.
Increased Insurance Premiums for the Entire Complex
In a townhome community, several owners neglected to upgrade their wind mitigation features. As a result, the entire complex faced higher insurance premiums. Insurance companies often assess risk based on the overall condition of a complex, and the lack of adequate wind mitigation in several units increased the risk profile for all.
Water Intrusion and Mold Growth
In a townhome with insufficient wind mitigation, high winds from a severe storm caused window and door failures. This allowed water to enter the home leading to significant interior damage, mold growth, and costly repairs. The connected nature of townhomes meant that neighboring units also suffered from similar issues due to shared walls.
Difficulty Selling or Refinancing
An owner of a townhome in central Florida found it challenging to sell their property due to the lack of wind mitigation features. Prospective buyers were deterred by the potential risk and additional insurance costs. Similarly, refinancing the townhome was difficult as lenders viewed the property as a high-risk investment.
Displacement During Repairs
After a windstorm caused damage to a townhome complex, many residents were displaced during the repair process. Inadequate wind mitigation led to more extensive damage, requiring longer repair times and increasing the additional living expenses for the residents.
Bottom Line
Remember that Wind Mitigation features will allow each of the townhomes to act together as a unit distributing the wind’s forces throughout the entire building rather than concentrating it’s forces on weaker and vulnerable areas.. It is essential for all townhome owners to have updated wind mitigation features in place against the forces of these strong winds in order to protect all homeowners in the complex. These features don’t just protect the individual units, they also impact the entire complex, affecting insurance premiums as well as property property values.
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*Image from Shutterstock