Local government gets involved with Building Codes..both in how ugly and how far one can allow the property to degrade. They usually set minimums acceptable standards by the community. The home owner associations go farther in particular areas. One can live in a community with strict building codes or out in the country with no building codes. They can vote locally to enhance building codes.
Having been a landlord and played the monopoly game for real in both rurual and urban area with both type of codes....you must also balance the possible lawsuits for run down properties that contribute to someones injury...the broken glass or falling down deck! I always put in the better electrical equipment not for code but for potection on liability. jdd > Since they won't be living in the places more than 5 or > 10 years they don't care if the place is ugly to most people or shoddily constructed.< The main cause is government. In private community associations there are often covenants that prohibit ugly exteriors. As for shoddy construction, would this not reduce the market value of the building and liability in case of fire or earthquake? On the other hand, cheap construction makes it less costly to tear down and rebuild. > Related to this is the famous prisoner's dilemma.... > nobody invests and the neighborhood continues its downward > spiral. The dilemma is solved by contractual agreements, such as the covenants of the residential association. Fred Foldvary ===== [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com John Driessnack, Lt Col, USAF Professor, System Program Management Defense Systems Management College Bldg 205, Rm 115B Phone 703-805-4655 Admin Office 3670
