Shareholders in a Lower Manhattan co-op frequently email the board with personal and irrational complaints, leading to a series of co-op dramas that are both cringeworthy and disappointing. (Print: The Write Stuff)
Shareholders in a Lower Manhattan co-op frequently email the board with personal and irrational complaints, leading to a series of co-op dramas that are both cringeworthy and disappointing. (Print: The Write Stuff)
Interior soundproof windows are an affordable option for apartment buildings to mitigate daytime noise pollution, with CitiQuiet Windows offering a cost-effective solution for co-ops and condos to improve their energy efficiency and comply with Local Law 97. (Print: The Problem: Noise Pollution)
Boards must act swiftly and carefully when dealing with pet policies, as they must not only identify the violation but also serve appropriate notices and file court proceedings within the 90-day window, while also being aware of the distinction between service and emotional support animals and the need for proper documentation.
Co-op and condo boards are strategizing ways to make composting convenient and hygienic for residents, as a new mandate requires buildings to separate compostable items from trash or face fines. (Print: Carrots and Sticks: Strategies for Composting Success)
The Oxford, a 199-unit condo on the Upper East Side, is maximizing its energy savings by using automated building sensors and controls to participate in demand-response events, which generate financial rewards for reducing energy use during peak-demand periods. (Print: Snagging Cash-Back Rewards)
New York's Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law Section 881 is being targeted by developers to alter the balance of power in access negotiations, potentially making it more difficult and expensive for existing property owners to protect their rights.
To avoid getting locked into a bad contract, boards must carefully review the contract with an eagle eye, be aware of the scaffold law, and do their homework to ensure they are hiring a quality contractor.
James Park, Managing Director of Spark Super, helped a 425-unit co-op in Lower Manhattan find a permanent resident manager to fill a temporary position, ultimately hiring the temporary staff member to a permanent position. (Print: The Problem: Resident Manager Matchmaking)
The Rutherford co-op in New York City learned the hard way that it's important to handle requests for emotional support animals with care, as they must follow federal disability laws or risk severe financial and legal repercussions.
The Cezanne co-op in the West Village has successfully eliminated carbon emission penalties until 2035 by installing new heating controls, a pump replacement, and steam traps, saving money and making residents more comfortable. (Print: Steam Traps: the Secret to Efficient Heating)
Boards can implement effective prelitigation strategies such as redirecting rent, filing a lien, limiting amenities, and timing, to address monthly payment issues without going to court.
Boards of co-ops and condos should take a proactive approach to managing and recovering unpaid maintenance and common charges, utilizing powerful tools such as recognition agreements, liens, and foreclosure actions, to protect the financial stability of the entire community.
Co-op shareholders are increasingly transferring their units into trusts for estate planning purposes, but co-op boards must carefully consider the potential financial, occupancy, and legal implications before approving such requests.
Condominium boards must be vigilant and proactive in managing their commercial spaces, as they have the right to enforce rules and fines against commercial unit-owners and their tenants, and can potentially evict tenants who do not comply.
Boards must be proactive in addressing problematic commercial tenants, as the Yellowstone injunction can significantly complicate eviction proceedings and lead to lengthy legal battles.