Dohoney highlights other differences between condos and single-families

In a follow-up to his March report to Cincinnati City Council, city manager Milton Dohoney Jr. has highlighted some other differences between condominiums and single-family homes.

In his most recent update, Dohoney points out that condominium units in a building with more than three dwelling units is reviewed using the Ohio Building Code rather than the Ohio Residential Code because:

* The means of egress is usually through common corridors and stairways
* Units generally share fire-resistance rated common walls and floors above and below
* The sprinkler and fire alarm systems are generally part of a larger network
* Heating, cooling, and electrical systems are generally shared

For these reasons, Dohoney says that this necessitates "a higher level of scrutiny for condominium units that a detached single-family home for the same scope of work."

In February, an East Walnut Hills couple wrote a letter to council asking why they, and other condominium owners, were being charged more and were waiting longer than single-family homeowners for building inspections.

As a result of the compaint, the couple was awarded a refund of $400 because the Cincinnati Municipal Code does not provide for different walk-through fees based on housing type.

But because the couple's building contains 36 units, issues regarding different treatment - such as a longer time period to wait for inspections - will likely remain the same for them and for condominium owners due to the stricter regulations.

Previous reading on BC:
Condo owners to get refund of walk-through fees (3/25/08)
Does Cincinnati treat condos differently from single-families? (2/20/08)