I have an ongoing leak in my ceiling from the roof. I asked the coop board for a copy of the engineers report with no response. Wouldn't it be best practices for good oversight if the coop board was to show the building residents the engineers report instead of no response.
We do background checks on all potential buyers. We have been seeing more single buyers who list partners as "others residing in home- which includes children as well). No information is given about the partner nor are the ages of children given. Can the board ask for more partner info.? And can we also do a background check on them? I assume we need releases.
In this case a google search of the name revealed a recent bankruptcy.
What's a board to do?
Why would a subject or conversation on Managing Agents from March 23, 2013 suddenly become unavailable? Has anything like this ever happened before to anyone? Extremely curious since it was a subject that should be interesting to all.
> Join the conversation Comments (2)Is there a general rule whether a full board be present to interview and vote potential buyers (shareholders) for a coop apartment or is this typically left for the President and VP to decide?
> Join the conversation Comments (1)
The Dept. of Finance (DOF) has screwed up the primary residency information for the tax abatement for at least two shareholders in our co-op. Worse yet, both residents say they never received the paperwork from DOF required to correct the error! The only reason we know the DOF's classification is that both units were marked with an asterisk (not primary residence) on the summary sheet sent to our managing agent.
Does anyone have a copy of the ACTUAL FORMS that were sent to people who were proclaimed as non-primary residents? I've looked through the DOF website and can't find the paperwork, though other forms are there. You'd think it would be here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/property/coop_condo_abatement.shtml
National Grid has reported that their ability to meet future heating load demands in buildings not yet converted from oil to gas will be greatly diminished if not eliminated completely until late 2016 or early 2017. That is, if you havent already initiated the process of converting you may be stuck on oil for up to 3 years or more. National Grid is "releasing" gas that has been held for buildings in the "process" of converting from oil to gas so that those who have actually signed proposals might have a shot at having adequate supply. Don't email me....call National Grid and ask them.
> Join the conversationI am currently an executive board member of a condo association of a building located in Staten Island,NY. There are only 16 units in our building. Can anyone advise what the current law is concerning condo rentals. Can an owner of a condo apt. rent for 3 months. Is there a law that protects the association. We have been told by our manager than owner of an condo has the right to rent their apt. as often as they want to.This seems to include short term rentals. We are not happy about this because its a fairly well kept new building. Can anyone recommend a good condo lawyer. The bylaws were written by the sponsor of the building and filed. Thank you.
> Join the conversation Comments (1)For several years I received STAR. My Co-op has ten units. Last year my apartment along with one other did not received STAR. My income is well below $500,000 and this is my primary residence. This year once again, everyone in my building received their STAR. Because I received it for several years and then stopped getting it the past two years leads me to believe an error has happened. I have reapplied but how do I correct the situation. My building is asking me to pay what would normally be my STAR refund.
> Join the conversation Comments (1)
Can someone help me decipher the below? - Does this mean - if you have a repair in your apt that the coop would like repaired (and it is not their obligation to fix), they must give you 30 day notice - give you the chance to remedy- before they can send in their own person (and then bill you for it later?)
PROPRIETARY LEASE
19. Lessor's Right to Remedy Lessee's Defaults
If the Lessee fails for 30 days after notice to make repairs to any part of the apartment, its fixtures or equipment as herein required, or fails to remedy a condition which has become objectionable to the Lessor for reasons above set forth, or if the Lessee or any person dwelling in the apartment requests the Lessor, its agents or servants to perform any act not hereby required to be performed by the Lessor, the Lessor may make such repairs, or arrange for others to do the same, or remove such objectionable condition or equipment, or perform such act, without liability on the Lessor; provided that, if the condition requires prompt action, notice of less than 30 days may be given or, in case of emergency, no notice need be given. In all such cases the Lessor, its agents, servants and contractors shall, as between the Lessor and Lessee, be conclusively deemed to be acting as agents of the Lessee, and all contracts therefore made by the Lessor shall be so construed whether or not made in the name of the Lessee. If the Lessee fails to perform or comply with any of the other convenants or provisions of this Lease within the time required by a notice from the Lessor (not less than 5 days), then the Lessor may, but shall not be obligated, to comply therewith, and for such purpose may enter upon the apartment of the Lessee. The Lessor shall be entitled to recover from the Lessee all expenses incurred or which it has contracted hereunder, such expenses to be payable by the Lessee on demand as additional rent.
I'm writing a HABITAT article today about preparing for your annual meeting. Attorneys and managing agents are saying they've never experienced an actual rigged board election.
Are rigged board elections just an urban myth? Has anyone out there experienced one? Please e-mail me today or tomorrow if you'd like to speak for my article, even if we can't use your name. flovece@habitatmag.com
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I am the President of a 111 unit co-op in Inwood, Manhattan. Our old patched roof was leaking into both public spaces and units (including my own).
In the past, the Board tried to do a quality job on its own (i.e. on the cheap) however the contractor didn’t finish the work, the co-op was unable to obtain a warranty and the roof needed patching. While doing a quality was the intent, it was unsuccessful in the end.
The Board and I had set our minds to doing the best job possible: hiring an engineer; repairing the parapets; replacing roof doors to code; replacing skylights; repairing the masonry on the elevator rooms and replacing the elevator room roofs; and replacing the insulation. The Board opted for a seamless covering too.
In the end, the roof looks fantastic, all of the leaks stopped, all of the units and public spaces were repaired and we use less energy for cooling. The engineers inspected, prepared the bid package and supervised the work. However, this process took longer and the Board spent time reviewing the engineer’s bid package for completeness. We used Rand. I would highly recommend them. The whole process took about a year and we already had the funds on hand (no assessment was necessary). It would have taken longer if we had to find financing.
The reason I say all this is - what is your reason for wanting to review the very lengthy engineer’s output: their report and/or bid package? Is it to litigate? Or are you offering to assist the Board with the process of repairing? Are you interested in how quickly the leaks stop (not a quick process if done right) or is your interest in making sure the job is done right the first time?
Remember that your Board is a group of volunteers. Offers of help are often well received while perceived threats elicit a defensive response. Put yourself in the Board’s shoes and see if a different track can get you the information you are seeking.
Good luck!
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