ᐅ Dirt on Neighbor's Balcony; Construction Defects Due to Missing Drain?

Hello,

our condominium (new) has balconies without water drainage. The balconies have a noticeable slope, so water and dirt flow or fall onto the balcony below and remain there. With wind, potting soil and dirt from the roof terrace are also carried onto the lower balcony. Depending on the apartment, there are also pets and small children whose dirt and playful activities quickly lead to additional mess on the lower balcony. Furthermore, the balconies are very difficult to clean because tiles with a very rough surface have been installed. The residents of the first apartment end up having the problem and are complaining to the property owner about it. Is the owner actually responsible for this? Or is he required to take action?
Is this considered a construction defect?

Interesting question... We get just as annoyed by the constant trash and stuff from the neighbors above us on our terrace because they are prefabricated balconies and there is a very large gap between the floor and the railing or fall protection. Personally, I am more concerned about the risk of heavy objects or knives/forks falling down... our child plays on the terrace, and I always have to make sure they don’t sit directly under that gap.

Interesting, we had to sweep garden debris away from the neighbor's property for years. They have now created a rock garden.

Steff551 schrieb:

Is he even responsible for this? Or is he required to do anything about it?
Is this a construction defect?

If the homeowner had it built that way, then yes, he is responsible.
No, he is not required to do anything about it. However, he might want to address the issue. Happy tenants are very valuable.
No, this is not a construction defect; it is simply a standard design for balconies with open railings.

Markiso schrieb:

There is a very large gap between the floor and the railing or fall protection.

That is a different issue. This gap is standard and not a defect. The common concern that something might fall on a child on a balcony below is, as far as I know, new to me.

HilfeHilfe schrieb:

Interesting, we had to sweep garden debris off from the neighbor’s place for years. They have now installed a rock garden.

random!!!

hampshire schrieb:


Different issue. This gap is standard and not a defect. The new concern that something could fall onto a child’s head from a balcony below is unfamiliar to me.

I never said it was a defect... it’s just generally not good. I’m just surprised this risk is new to you. Especially since the children above deliberately throw all kinds of things through this gap. But even an adult can accidentally drop something there. For example, they also have their grill placed right next to the railing, and if someone is handling it, a knife or similar item can fall down. If someone is underneath that area, a cloth isn’t a problem, but a hard object or, for example, a knife definitely is.

Markiso schrieb:

I'm just surprised this risk is new to you.

I probably come from a different generation of parents with a different approach to life risks and the likelihood of events. Our boys climbed trees in the forest and were riding their bikes independently around our small town to meet friends from an early elementary school age. At least we understood the importance of bicycle helmets about 15 years ago.