What Should You Do If Your Property Manager Is a Slacker?

Jan. 5, 2016 — The managing agent works not just for the board, but for every shareholder in a coop and every unit owner in a condominium. If your managing agent is slacking off, there are escalating steps you should take.

First, make a list of grievances and send it to the president of the board, real estate lawyer Lawrence Chaifetz advises the Ask Real Estate column in The New York Times. See if you can get other disgruntled residents to do the same, urging the board to pressure the managing agent to perform contracted duties. Failing that, ask the board to hire a new managing agent when the current contract expires.

If the board ignores your complaints, you can file a lawsuit to remove the managing agent, but Chaifetz cautions that this can be costly. Better to get together with other residents and push to replace unresponsive board members at your next board election.