Subscribe for Daily Updates!
Shareholder store furniture outside is apartment - Billy Joe Aug 18, 2024

That shareholder as right to store furniture in the basement without talking to the Board or SuperThat shareholder has the right to store furniture in the basement without consulting the Board or the Super.

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

Very impressive. No shareholder has the "right" to store anything in a common area without board permission, or it's clearly delineated in the Proprietary Lease or House Rules.

The hallways in particular are off limits for any kind of storage. It blocks egress in case of a fire or other evacuation emergency. If the NYFD does an inspection and you're found to be in violation, you face a very hefty fine.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation
zoom meeting - audree Jul 23, 2024

Hi,
New member here. I have a condo in Massachusetts on Cape Cod that I purchased Oct 2023. My question is regarding a zoom meetings. The yearly meeting is held the weekend of Columbus Day. I understand for an owner that they have never held a Zoom meeting. Not sure how that worked during Covid, but my question is: Do meetings legally have to have a zoom option for those who cannot attend. I will not be able to attend this meeting and will give my proxy to a neighbor in case of a vote, but would not need to do that if there was a zoom option. Is this legal to NOT have Zoom as an option.
Thank you for your time. I'm sure I'll have other questions regarding the running of this association as it seems there is one person who runs the show with a board who backs her ups

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

First off, let me say these forums are mainly used by NYC co-op board members and officers. Massachusetts co-op laws, codes, and regulations may be entirely different.

As far as I know, there is no official NYC governmental rule mandating the use of a video conferencing system. In fact it was quite the opposite. Sections in the co-op's bylaws requiring in-person meetings were relaxed by government edict so Zoom could be legally used to conduct official co-op business like the annual shareholder meeting.

You *could* try to modify your co-op's bylaws to require a Zoom option be available for certain meetings, but bylaw modification is a long and arduous process.

Good luck!

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation
Village's License for our Co-op - Rob Knepper Jul 19, 2024

Our small village, Kensington, NY, where our co-op, built in 1965, is the only multiple building in the Village, just passed a local law that requires a license application and extensive self-certified documentation they say is required under the NYS Multiple Dwelling Law. The fee for this license is $1,500 plus $100 per unit (96 units) every two years. This $ 10,000 license fee is unreasonable, excessive, and does not reflect any costs the village could have in administering the license.
(If we do not comply, by September the fine is $20,000.) We are afraid that additional money-grabing licenses could be initiated such as for the pool, gym, etc. Please, any ideas would be appreciated.

> Join the conversation Comments (2)

You need to consult your co-op’s attorney immediately, especially given the September deadline.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation

I completely agree with Marty. Full Stop.

I grew up in Great Neck Village and remember the reputation Kensington had even back then ('60s and '70s). Please take Marty's advice to heart.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation
Minutes - Annual meeting & Financial report - Pooh Jul 03, 2024

When we have an annual meeting our board/attorney don’t take minutes which I find strange. If someone can’t make the meeting or even if you’re present and want to review what was discussed nothing is documented or distributed to the shareholders. I’m sure it’s a bit of just being lazy or they think if it’s distributed that someone might challenge something after the fact.

Oh I was also told by our managing agent that they don’t need to send out the financial report even after the meeting unless a shareholder asks. In other words there’s no legal reason that they need to send it out.

Your thoughts please.

I thought it was 2024!!!

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

It sounds like your board/attorney and MA have a cozy arrangement. As far as I'm aware, most of what you describe goes against co-op regulations or is illegal.

Since it seems most of the people in charge of your co-op are colluding with each other, you'll probably have to engage an outside individual or entity. One that comes to mind is the Real Estate Board of NY (REBNY). They may not be able to help you but might be able to point you in the right direction. You can also try the Attorney General's office to see if they have any departments set up for this situation.

Ultimately, you'll probably need to contact an R/E attorney who knows co-op law and has no connection to any of the groups you mentioned. It's not going to be cheap, but right now you have no idea of the financial state of your co-op or whether any fraud or embezzlement has taken place.

Good luck.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

Hi

I have a financial report and anyone who attends gets it but if you don’t he was saying that they don’t have to mail etc and if you ask for a report they’ll send it. My issue is why aren’t they more proactive and buttoned up about important documents like this and just send it to everyone? I really don’t care what the managing agents says he likes to have the last word even though he works for me/us!

Minutes issue is strange. I think because there are older board members they’re not exactly current on how things are done nowadays.

Transparency is key!

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation
Mice infestation :-( - NYC Jun 19, 2024

Hello, my community has had a mouse/ rat infestation lately. Many shareholders have complained... The exterminator will put glue traps in the apartments but does nothing outside. There are Rodent bait stations outside but the exterminator said it is not his job. Does anyone know who is responsible for the maintaining those stations?

> Join the conversation
Additional Liability Insurance Requirement for New Shareholders Only - Carole Jun 15, 2024

I recently purchased a co-op. One of the requirements was that I get $5 million in personal liability insurance. This rule was passed several years ago and it’s only being applied to new purchasers. Shareholders who purchased before the date this rule was put into effect only have to have $1 million in insurance. Is this legal?

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

I am not a lawyer, but I believe it's known as "grandfathering". Unless there is imminent risk or danger, those shareholders who owned before the rule change was put into effect are entitled to follow the old regulation.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

Thank you. I was advised that the Board cannot impose different financial requirements for different shareholders. I have not heard anything about a “grandfather” exception to the requirement that new purchasers carry more insurance than existing shareholders. I don’t know if any real estate attorneys follow three discussions, but I would be interested in hearing what they have to say.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation
House Rule: cannot smoke 25 ft from bldg entrance?! - DM Jun 12, 2024

I think the sidewalk is public domain, no?
How can a coop dictate a shareholder can only smoke 25 feet from a building entrance>?
Seems like a stretch.

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

I believe this applies to public housing only and not private cooperatives:

Although not covered by the HUD rule, condo and coop boards may adopt house rules and/or policies within their governing documents prohibiting smoking outside of the building in common areas such as garden areas, patios, roof decks, and terraces. While a board can request and encourage that people do not smoke around the perimeter of the building, they generally do not have the legal authority to enforce building policies on public property.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

Signage is usually placed on the building facade by the entrances; I believe it could be Local Law 127. Hope this helps

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (2)

I belive such a rule appieles to public housing also and a coop cannot dictate or enforce such a rule.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation

The co-op or condo could also make the claim that smoking within a certain distance from the building's exterior creates an environment that is detrimental to the health of the building's residents.

Courts have upheld House Rules that prohibit smoking anywhere within a building, including residential units because of the effect of second-hand smoke. The same argument could probably be made that smoking too close to the exterior of a building affects the health of the residents from smoke that is drawn into apartments and building-wide air circulating equipment.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

No -
Private coops do not have control of the public areas outside the perimeter of the building in regards to people smoking.
(As much as some board members might like to.)

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

Apparently they can.

Starting August 28, 2018, all residential buildings with three or more units in New York City will be required to adopt a written smoking policy. This applies to rentals, co-ops, and condos.

The new ordinance, called Local Law 147, does not require buildings to ban smoking outright. On the contrary

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

Read things carefully. This would be over reaching for a private cooperative.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation
Income limit for Coop Abatement - Roy Jun 06, 2024

Is there an income limit for the Coop/Condo Abatement?

> Join the conversation Comments (2)

I don't think so. Imposing such an income test would create two separate classes of shareholders, which is strictly prohibited. It's the DoF who determines who's eligible for the abatement. They send a list each year with the amount of the abatement for each unit, and which units are ineligible. If you're on the list as eligible you get it regardless of your income.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation

As usual, Steve is correct in noting that the coop itself can't condition abatements or assessments on income, and I don't believe the city does, either - at least for the Coop/Condo abatement. However, the STAR credit *does* have an income limit set by the state of NY. You're not eligible if your household income exceeds $500,000. See https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/

- Carl

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation
Building Managers/Owners: Thoughts on canners? - Amanda Kari McHugh May 14, 2024

Hey everyone! I'm a reporter for the Mott Haven Herald and Hunts Point Express. We're working on a project about canners in the South Bronx. We'd love to talk to some building managers and/or landlords about their thoughts on canners to understand your thoughts on canners and any impact they might have on your building - if any - if they're talking cans from in front of your building. We've talked to a bunch of canners and recycling centers but haven't heard this perspective yet. Please comment here, DM me or email me at amanda.mchugh38@journalism.cuny.edu - being an anonymous source is an option if necessary, though not ideal.

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

Before speaking to you, would it be possible for you to provide some identification like your name, email address, and links to current articles with your by-line? I try to not be paranoid, but in today's environment of fakes, deep fakes, deeper deep fakes, etc, one can never be too careful. A reply to this response should work, and would make your credentials available to all my fellow Habitants as well. Thanks!

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

A 30-second search brought this information:
https://www.amandakmchugh.com
It lists the same email she provided in her post. Looks legit.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation
Financial report - Pooh May 12, 2024

Hello
I asked our board for our financial report a day before the annual meeting to review so if I have any questions or concerns I can just ask at the meeting and was told that our accountant is contracted to give them out the day of the meeting.

To me they don’t want us to see so we can’t ask questions in front of everyone.

I’ve never heard of that.

Your thoughts.


> Join the conversation Comments (1)

It sounds rather draconian to me as well. Read your bylaws to see if they have any requirements for when the annual meeting should be held and when any required documents should be delivered. The annual audited financial report is required and I'm not sure about the budget report.

Try asking your managing agent for the report before asking the board. You might get better results. I can tell you that a lot of MA companies are still backed up due to COVID-19 and CPA attrition. The board may be using the excuse of "contractual obligation" to cover themselves.

Hopefully, you'll find something in the Bylaws you can use as a lever. If nothing works send a polite request to the board asking for a copy of the audit report. Send it by USPS certified/RRR. Start a paper trail in case this escalates. When you finally receive the report, send a list of your questions to the board, again by USPS certified/RRR. What happens next will guide what you do next.

Good luck!

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

I asked a board member and the management agent in the same email and the board member responded only on Sunday and I emailed on Friday.

My understanding was that the financial report is actually supposed to be mailed out to shareholders so obviously you get it before the meeting. Have you heard of that being mandatory? I will ask our attorney at the meeting.

They also emailed it to us last year the day before.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation Comments (1)

Isn’t it mandatory to send the financial report at least after the meeting even for those that didn’t attend the meeting?

I was told that it’s not mandatory and only if they ask.

Thank you for rating!

You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!

Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Register

Forgot your password? Click here

> Join the conversation

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 221

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Log in below or register here.

Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.

Introduce yourself to other members of Board Talk! Login below or register here.
Board Talk members who registered prior to March 9th, 2016 will need to reset their password.
Powered by eZ Publish™ CMS Open Source Web Content Management. Copyright © 1999-2014 eZ Systems AS (except where otherwise noted). All rights reserved.