Start with these questions
Ask the HOA board or property manager before planning work that opens walls, floors or ceilings.
- Does the association have an asbestos survey of the building, and may I see it?
- Which materials are considered common elements under the declaration, and which belong to my unit?
- Does the association require an inspection before unit owners remodel?
- Who hires the inspector and abatement contractor when shared materials are involved?
- How will neighbors be notified if work near shared walls or ceilings requires containment?
- Are there building rules about hallway use, elevator protection or waste removal during abatement?
Why multifamily buildings are different
Denver has a large stock of older multifamily housing: brick walk-ups in Capitol Hill and Cheesman Park, garden-style complexes from the 1960s and 1970s along major corridors, and conversions of older apartments into condos. In these buildings, pipe chases, ceiling cavities and floor assemblies cross unit lines. A material in one unit's ceiling may be the same continuous material as the hallway outside.
Colorado's asbestos rules also generally apply more broadly to multifamily and commercial buildings than to single-family homes, so homeowner provisions that people hear about do not carry over to a condo or apartment the same way. The association or owner of the building is usually involved in any decision that touches shared materials.
Renters have a different position again. A tenant generally should not disturb building materials at all, and suspect damage, such as a crumbling pipe wrap in a storage room or a water-stained textured ceiling, should be reported to the landlord or manager in writing.
Unit owner versus association, in general terms
Your building's governing documents control. This is a typical pattern, not a rule.
| Often the unit owner's concern | Often the association's concern |
|---|---|
| Flooring and finishes inside the unit | Pipe insulation in shared chases and mechanical rooms |
| Interior non-structural walls the owner is remodeling | Hallway, lobby and stairwell finishes |
| Getting work inside the unit inspected before a remodel | Boilers and central heating systems |
| Hiring certified professionals for unit-only materials | Building-wide surveys and records of materials left in place |
For tenants who notice damage
- Do not touch, sweep or vacuum crumbling material.
- Photograph it and note the date.
- Report it to the landlord or property manager in writing.
- Ask what testing or repair is planned and when.
- Keep a copy of every message and response.
- If you have health concerns, contact CDPHE or your local public health agency for guidance.
General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.