Luisan,

To me it is clear that you are a shareholder. I am not a lawyer but I believe when an amount in dispute once has to be very careful not to pay a penny over the monthly maintenance. Yes it was a mistake to pay twice the same month because of the abuse shareholders suffer; but does not mean you have to accept it to be part of the dispute amount (I wonder if they will use it as you admitting that you have to pay the disputed amount). I would write a certify letter letting them know that you are still disputing the amount. Just make sure from now on you write the date to apply payment to (month and year). Keep sending payment every month and just put to be apply to the correct month (one month in advance to compensate for the 2 payments). If you ever have to go to court you bring all the checks as proof of payments; the judge can read and if housing court does not listen you can always go to appellate court to appeal it. You can call the Bronx Defenders (googgle the address and phone). They might give you legal advice or tell you where to go.

Also be aware that coop abuse is an epidemic. Check out COOPABUSE.COM to read about horrible stories and what we, Cooperative Community Organization, is doing to pass laws to protect our coop homes. At this time we have no right at all. We can be evicted from our home just for a few hundred dollars; specially if one has NO MORTGAGE. We are like third class citizens.

This week we have meetings with two strong politicians and we are to discuss coop issues and how to implement laws to protect our home. I, along with other people, will be representing the Bronx at this meeting. It is important that we fight together against this abuse. Perhaps an issue should be for shareholders to get list of all repairs that the coop has to pay so you don't have to be fight for it. It is sad that shareholders have to spend so much time and money fighting this that should be very clear. Also, it seems that target people to be abuse are shareholders with NO MORTGAGE; it is easier for the coop to take away your home at the housing court level. Shareholders are loosing their homes in housing court and do not have any protection under bankruptcy court.

Email me ROSA.NAZAR@GMAIL.COM to let me what borough you are in (or part of NYS). Today we are fighting together and only VOTING for politicians willing to fight to protect our coop homes. The formation of COOP was a fraud bigger than ENRON and needs to be investigated by the attorney general. Also register in COOPABUSE.COM to get info.