Half a Century? Time for a Check-Up!

When a community association reaches 50 years old, it marks more than a milestone—it signals the need for a deeper evaluation of the property’s long-term health. In the Winter 2025 edition of Common Interest Magazine, Mathias Keys explains why aging buildings require more than routine maintenance.

For decades, most associations rely on annual maintenance—landscaping, gutter cleaning, servicing equipment, painting, and minor repairs—to keep things operating smoothly. While essential, these recurring tasks focus on short-term preservation.

At 50 years, however, communities enter a new phase. Many original systems are nearing or have exceeded their intended lifespan. What’s needed is a comprehensive “50-year check-up”—a deeper, diagnostic review designed to uncover hidden wear and structural concerns that routine maintenance may not reveal.

A proper 50-year evaluation should include:

• Structural assessments of foundations, balconies, and load-bearing elements
• Thermal scanning and leak detection to identify moisture intrusion or electrical risks
• Updated reserve studies aligned with current physical conditions
• Code and safety compliance reviews to meet today’s standards

Keys compare this milestone to turning 50 personally—when preventative medical screenings become more important. The same principle applies to buildings. Identifying issues early can prevent major failures, reduce the risk of special assessments, and give boards a clear roadmap for the future.

Routine maintenance protects the community today. A 50-year check-up ensures it’s prepared for the next generation.

Read the whole article in our Spring 2025 edition of the Common Interest Magazine and find more editions of the Common Interest Magazine by clicking on the link below.

Common Interest – Winter 2025 :: 38

CAI - Illinois Chapter

The Illinois Chapter of Community Associations Institute serves the educational, business, and networking needs of community associations in the Chicagoland Area. Members include condominium, cooperative, and homeowner...

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