CO-OP/CONDO BUYERS

I want to replace the windows in the apartment we’re buying. Will the building have a problem with that?

The first thing a new owner should do is contact the managing agent to inquire about the building’s policy on capital improvement projects, specifically windows. Your agent may be able to guide you to a window company that has worked for the building in the past.

This should give the board a level of comfort with the contractor. Generally, the agent will send you an alteration agreement and you would be required to remit a scope of work detailing the specifications of the windows you are seeking to install. In addition, you will have to send in a certificate of insurance from the window contractor and any other licenses and fees required.

The board may have its engineer/architect review your application at your expense. It is important to note that specific windows are required in landmarked historic districts. Other buildings may make you conform to the existing windows so all windows look uniform. Bottom line: expect the unexpected whenever starting a new capital project.

Steven W. Birbach is president and CEO of Vanderbilt Property Management.

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You want to buy a co-op apartment. You see a penthouse with a terrace/roof area for your exclusive use and decide it is perfect. You have every reason to believe you are qualified to purchase and that you will be approved by the co-op board, so you sign a contract and put down a 10 percent deposit of $2,750,000. Everyone is happy, right? Guess again — and then take a look at what happened in Pastor v. DeGaetano.

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I love the idea of my own balcony. But I’ve heard that balconies are unsafe. How do I find out if this balcony is okay?

If the building is greater than six stories, then it must comply with Local Law 11, which requires that the building’s exterior, including balconies, terraces, and/or outdoor railings are inspected by a licensed architect or engineer every five years, that a report be filed with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), and that required repairs are made. You should ask the managing agent for a copy of that report and then discuss it.

You can also go directly to the DOB website to see if the report was properly filed. You may also want to consult with a licensed architect and engineer (whether or not the building is required to file a Local Law 11 report) and ask them to review the condition of the balcony on your behalf. If the balcony or terrace has a roof membrane below, the architect and/or engineer should also advise on its condition.

You should see if there are any planned projects that may affect the outdoor space. Once you own an apartment with a balcony or terrace, you need to observe safety rules. Sitting on the outer walls or railings is never a good idea. As good as any inspection is, there can always be problems that were not seen – or new problems that can develop at any time. Always make sure that items placed on the balcony or terrace are secure, particularly in bad weather, and always check to be sure that any drains are clear of leaves and debris.

Andrew Lazarus is senior vice president of Tudor Realty Services.

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I plan to run my acupuncture practice out of my condo. Who will know about it, and why should the board care?

It is a direct violation of a building’s bylaws to operate a business out of a unit. As a resident of a condominium community, it is important that you and all residents follow the rules and regulations of the community regardless of your personal opinion. Your board was elected to make decisions on your behalf and with the best interests of the community in mind.

Although you believe that no one will be aware of your business, there are still liability issues in the event someone is injured during one of the procedures. Residents will also be observing your clients coming in and out of the building, which will be an issue as well.

Failure to do so will result in fines and possible legal action.

Carmelo Milio is president and director of property management at Trion Real Estate Management.

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We’ve just closed on an apartment and have learned that the gas has been shut off to the whole building. Can we get a maintenance rebate?

From a management perspective, we would review with the new shareholder the following questions: What did the seller disclose? What did the broker disclose? What due diligence did the new shareholder's attorney complete? Were there any walkthroughs? If so, discuss what was looked at during the walkthroughs.

Without seeing the co-op’s proprietary lease and keeping in mind the questions by the new shareholder, it seems the scenario discussed was a scheduled repair and the shareholders were notified accordingly. It’s the seller’s responsibility to address the new shareholder’s maintenance rebate request and not that of the co-op or board of directors.

Simon Sarwa is CEO of Trillion Asset Management.

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We just looked at an apartment, and there was a smell of cat litter in the hallway. Do you think I should overlook this?

I do not think you should overlook this. Even though you love the apartment, it is better to be disappointed today than to be sorry later. It can be quite difficult to remove cat smells.

Questions need to be asked and actions followed up. Is the smell from cat litter, cat urine, or the cat? Is the owner of the cat cleaning the litter box on a regular basis? Has cat urine penetrated a wood floor that might require replacement? How long have the smells been there? Has anyone else in the building complained and what actions were taken by either the building staff, the property manager, and/or the board of the building?

Besides the cat smells, answers to these questions and the actions taken will also provide some insight into how the building is operated and how well residents take care of their apartments.

Jeffrey Stillman is vice president of Stillman Management.

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There is a large sponsor presence, but my broker tells me the sponsor doesn’t control things. I’m concerned. Could this situation go bad?

Yes, this could be a problematic situation but let’s explore the points of concern and address them.

What is a “large” sponsor presence? What percentage of shares are owned by the sponsor? The larger the percentage, the greater the concern.

Is there any litigation between the sponsor and the co-op? If so, this may be a reason to reject a purchase.  Is the sponsor current with all obligations to the co-op? If not, that is a red flag. Is the sponsor generally supportive of the co-op’s attempts to improve the building? If not, this could be an issue to regard carefully.

What is the specific number of rent-regulated and deregulated apartments owned by the sponsor? A great number of rent-regulated apartments may spell a weaker cash flow and relate to liquidity problems.

Has the sponsor’s ownership affected the co-op or any individual shareholders in their respective financing efforts? If so, this may be a reason to reject purchasing an apartment.

Has the sponsor encumbered his shares and, if so, to what extent? A positive response might be troubling because the sponsor could have problems meeting debt service payments and/or maintenance payments because of excessive financial burdens.

What is the sponsor’s disposition plan? Has the co-op dealt with the sponsor on this issue? It would be beneficial to see that the sponsor is unwinding but not flooding the market with many apartments at a time prospectively, as this could weaken future sales prices for a period.

Howard Landman is vice president of Siren Management. 

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Does it matter if a co-op only has a part-time super? Will he be able to take care of the building’s needs?

The size of the cooperative (number of units, floors, and square footage), economics/affordability, and demands of the shareholders are the ingredients that dictate the answer to the above questions.

A threshold question must first be addressed; does the property require a super on premises or within a particular distance to the property at all times based on the number of units and the availability of an individual with a boiler license to satisfy New York City regulations?

The availability of an apartment for a part-time super plays into the equation. Better-qualified supers tend to desire the best available living conditions. To attract a strong super, even on a part-time basis, quality housing is important. Stronger supers gravitate toward higher pay and better living conditions.

If the cooperative also employs a porter, the focus for the part-time super can be targeted toward maintaining and repairing the physicality of the property, versus trash removal and cleaning of hallways.

A quality part-time super may work well in certain size properties. It will not succeed if the cooperative is too large or if the super does not have superior skills to accomplish the necessary tasks required by a particular cooperative.

Stuart Halper is vice president of Impact Real Estate Management.

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It looks like St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Clinton Hill is the latest building to be snapped up by a developer with plans to convert it into condos. The Commercial Observer reports that Brooklyn developer Brookland Capital purchased the 145-year-old church for $8.8 million — a record sales price for the year, according to Mark David Fromm, who along with Town Residential colleague Brandon N. Gibson brokered the deal for Brookland. The building is 29,250 square feet and offers 32,000 "buildable" square feet. "The developer plans to extend the building in the back and restore part of the exterior," according to the article. 

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My lawyer said there have been four different management companies over a five-year period at the building we are looking at. Should we worry?

If there is a constant turnover of management companies, one needs to look at the reasons why the property has changed hands so frequently. If the board is making poor choices regarding the management company it hires, prospective purchasers should probably be concerned about the board. Poor decision-making can have a negative impact in building operations and diminish shareholder values.

You should know that over the past 10 years, there has been a significant amount of consolidation in the management industry and many management companies have disappeared as they have been taken over by larger companies. You may want to find out if this has been the case in the building you are interested in.

Fred Rudd is president of Rudd Realty Management.

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