Following a series of balcony and deck collapses that resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, California enacted Senate Bill 721 (condos) & Senate Bill 326 (apartments)in 2018. This bill requires the inspection of all multi-family residential buildings with exterior elevated elements, with the most common being balconies, decks, stairways, and walkways.
The mandate requires buildings with three or more units that were built before January 1, 2018, to undergo a mandatory inspection every six years. The inspection must be conducted by a licensed engineer for all HOAs, whereas apartments may be inspected by general contractors, licensed engineers or architects.
The purpose of the inspections is to identify potential hazards, such as water damage, dry rot, or deterioration, that could compromise the structural integrity of the elevated element. Whenever this hazardous situation arises, residents and visitors of the building may be at risk of losing their lives if the building collapses.
The inspection report must detail any identified hazards and provide recommendations for remediation or repair. Property owners are required to address any hazards identified in the report within a reasonable time frame to ensure the safety of their tenants and visitors.
Additionally, the bill requires property owners to maintain a copy of the inspection report and make it available to potential buyers or renters upon request.
While the mandate initially faced some opposition from property owners, it ultimately aims to ensure the safety of California residents and visitors. As a result of the inspections, potential hazards will be identified and addressed before they lead to catastrophic events.
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Our team of true experts specializes in deck, balcony, and walkway inspections.
In order to ensure that you are not misled in any way, either by overpaying for the work required or by doing any unnecessary repairs to ensure compliance, our invaluable service is to provide you with a minimum of three unbiased comparable estimates from reputable, experienced, and fair professionals.
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