JFElec
Member
- Location
- Boston, MA, USA
In a multi family home, with no public meter, each unit is owned by separate people. An upper level unit is for sale, thus triggering home inspection.
Unit 1 : being gutted and renovated, and currently being brought up to code.
Upper level units : share front entry/stairs and back stairs.
All units have access to basement from back stair and side yard.
Inspection confirmed (what was already quite obvious, if one was willing to look up while in basement) that knob & tube is present in basement, and another contractor was hired and found it present in upper level units, whilst #1 has none.
Though I understand the ins and outs of abatement of K&T, I am curious as to how one owner could want to "share" the costs of K&T removal in their unit/home with other owners, siting "common walls" as a shared expense.
I've searched MA building code a bit, but have found very little useful info, perhaps I need help expanding my list of searchable items? I've also read about as much as I can handle of M.G.L 183A, section 5, but don't have an (easily understood or quotable) answer as to if "sharing costs" of work done in another unit is legit.
Has anyone experienced something like this before? Perhaps this is just the joys of city/condo living rearing its ugly head? Would the presence of a public meter have avoided some conflict or confusion? Are the homeowners in question just baulking at the cost and trying to lessen the blow to their bank account? In my 15 years of resi work, I've not had this situation arise.
It seems as though this situation could take a sharp turn between homeowners and end up with them wanting to pit the electricians against each other, which I'd be all to grateful to avoid.
Any thoughts, suggestions, or shared experiences would be appreciated.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Unit 1 : being gutted and renovated, and currently being brought up to code.
Upper level units : share front entry/stairs and back stairs.
All units have access to basement from back stair and side yard.
Inspection confirmed (what was already quite obvious, if one was willing to look up while in basement) that knob & tube is present in basement, and another contractor was hired and found it present in upper level units, whilst #1 has none.
Though I understand the ins and outs of abatement of K&T, I am curious as to how one owner could want to "share" the costs of K&T removal in their unit/home with other owners, siting "common walls" as a shared expense.
I've searched MA building code a bit, but have found very little useful info, perhaps I need help expanding my list of searchable items? I've also read about as much as I can handle of M.G.L 183A, section 5, but don't have an (easily understood or quotable) answer as to if "sharing costs" of work done in another unit is legit.
Has anyone experienced something like this before? Perhaps this is just the joys of city/condo living rearing its ugly head? Would the presence of a public meter have avoided some conflict or confusion? Are the homeowners in question just baulking at the cost and trying to lessen the blow to their bank account? In my 15 years of resi work, I've not had this situation arise.
It seems as though this situation could take a sharp turn between homeowners and end up with them wanting to pit the electricians against each other, which I'd be all to grateful to avoid.
Any thoughts, suggestions, or shared experiences would be appreciated.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
