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I live in a co-op where no one is happy with management or board. But they themselves have created the situation allowing the same members to be voted in year after year. No one wants the responsibility and it is a very divided co-op with lots of back biting. It is a poor neighborhood (Hempstead Long Island) and shareholders don't appear that savey. Prior to my move here shareholders were told they had to purchase their own windows. But the lease clearly stated it was a co-op responsibility, all they had to do was read, but no one was up to it. The board has the horns for me and is doing everything in their power to make my life miserable. I recently got a 30 day notice to cure. More than half of it was pure BS! But they got me on the basil! No growing basil in the back. I had to remove my plants- were they making too much noise. I left a shopping cart in the hallway in 2012. The entire building does this, but it is only a problem when I do it. And I am talking about large carts from Home Depot and stop and shop. I was so pissed off when I saw this that I called stop and shop and had the carts removed. Their are still some left, but not for long! The elevator is tiger oak and they cram these carts in there banging the walls. The building is prewar and has amazing potential, unfortunately it is being run by people who are self serving at best. I have heard all the suggestions, run for the board, contact the attorney general. Funny I was just about to put it on the market when I got the notice. Get this 2 of my neighbors agreed to take my plants. Yea it was no problem for them because they are allowed to have plants. Then one of them goes on about how much she loves basil! Takes a plant and does not even offer me a leaf. Same with the other one, yet they both agree that what is happening to me is wrong. So it really pissed me off and I removed all the plants over to a friends house. One of them was
really upset about the basil. What kind of community is this? The board ma and super are all bullies! Bullies need targets, once I am gone they will need a new target. I already know who the candidates are, just a matter of time. Biggest mistake in my life was purchasing this dump! It has has life altering consequences for me! Never again will I purchase a co-op, it is totally giving away any power or independence to people who have no concern for your welfare and in my pictular case one in which they sought to do me harm. All I can do is litigate and that is not what I moved here for. That is my own personal experience but in speaking with others I realize that co-op boards tend to be made up of a specific type of person and my experience is not unique. I am not trashing all board members because just like every other group there is good and bad everywhere. They looked like normal people at the interview, no horns or daggers. Who knew? Never again will I purchase a co-op, nothing but problems as you can see here and no solutions. I would not recommend to anyone either....... As a co-op owner I may have rights but if I want to exercise them I will have to hire an attorney. Anyone got an extra 50 thousand lying around to address the behavior of these hooligans? Even if I did have it this dump is not worth it. A 50 thousand dollar legal battle where I will be subjected to listening to the garbage and lies that come out of their mouths. No thanks
Next sucker
Please step up to the plate.
You advise is on the money, I was just about to market it but I am so exhausted from this house of horrors that I have not had the energy to get out of bed for 2 days. It has taken its toll mentally and physically. I have not had an easy life and this was really the last straw for me. I just don't understand the mentality of these jug heads. But like I said it's a shakeup neighborhood and it was a mistake from the get go. But I loved the large rooms and high ceilings. What is even more bizarre is that people here are very concerned with security. I am also concerned with security but I have not had any problems with people from the neighborhood, only the people here in the building. Numerous verbal assaults and one physical assault. I called the police but this is Hempstead, they don't do harassment and it is not considered a crime here. So then they tell you where to go for help. You take the advise and guess what they were wrong. In fact I was told I could not get an order of protection unless I was married to or in a sexual relationship with the person harassing me. But that is what the police told me to do. Then they told me to go to landlord tenant court, but they only Handel evictions. Then they told me I went to the wrong court to go to another one. So I went to that one and they were wrong again. I am exhausted. Yes
It will be a financial loss and an hardship for someone who can't afford it like myself. But still I want out, I am planning a move out of NY into a small cottage type home. This experience was just to horrific to ever go down that rode again. No people who live in coops need more protection from the rouge board members and MAs. Nothing can be solved in house with Tia type of mentality. So did I choose to move no. My home is a dangerous mine field and I have no intentions of remaining on this sinking ship.word gets around agents already know it's a "difficult" board. Plus last year our water looked like something out of flint Michigan. I had to call the water department because the super was trying to claim the village was flushing hydrants. But really flushing hydrants for 6 months straight. When I told the ma that the rust was coming from within the building he had a meltdown and was angry I had called the water dept. I backed off let someone else take the heat, I have suffered enough. It was so bad that I was swimming in Hempstead lake park to get the Rudy off my body. It made me itchy and I ripped skin off my back scratching it. Also I take salt baths for medical reasons and suffered an electrolyte imbalance that left me barely able to walk. The claim the problem is fixed, but it is not. The new water heater was replaced but it was only 5 years old. The rust is returning and the super drains the system regularly so we don't see the rust. But I take baths because of my need for salts. So I see it and I know the cause. It is old pipes from the 1940s that have rusted. But again the board and ma are keeping shareholders in the dark. If I say anything it will be another full fledged witch hunt and they have not even finished the first one. But it it not the dark murky water like last year. It is faint because the pipes have not yet had enough time to destroy the new water heater. How do I know? Because I am inquisitive and I like staying informed. The exact opposite of the majority of people here who prefer to keep their heads in the sand. Any mention of it will bring out the Charlotteville in them and this place ain't worth it. But thank you for an honest answer. Nothing can be done to change simple minds. I need to cut my losses a get the hell out of here. After this experience I just want quiet and tranquility near a lake so I can recover and hopefully find a peaceful place to rest my bones.
I sincerely hope you find the peace and tranquility you are looking for.
--- Steve
I was preparing to market when I got this in the mail. One of the claims is that I set my carpet on fire. I spoke to the MA a day or so ago and asked him where he got this information. His answer "OK half of it is not true but the rest is". I was also informed by office personal that they do not care if I sue them because they have insurance.
WHAT?
It is a total abomination!
And I would like to sue. I had to vacate my apartment again because of the problem above me. I have located information that provides proof that board members and management knew she did not have carpeting. The MA promised the next tenant would have carpet.... And then I get the thirty day notice.
Give me a break I had already planned on getting out. But my harasser of the past 6 years there out her PC and I grabbed it to have a look. I have not yet had the material that was deleted resorted and I am looking for something very specific. But the 2 letters to board and management claiming that I set my carpet on fire and that I had mental problems were.... No words to describe how horrific this has been. Just moving on and allowing them to get away with what they did to me for years is not sitting right with me. You only know a small portion of what I have been put through. Is there any way to get them to take responsibility for there actions.
MK, If you have all your i's dotted & your t's crossed go to a lawyer with all proof in hand let him/her advise you. Now move to your dream cottage and put this craziness aside. Life is to short and consider this a learning experience. Best of Luck on your new journey. Peace of Mind.
I can only second the advice PC#1 gave you about consulting with a lawyer about your situation. In answer to your question, it looks like it is the only way to get your co-op attention and force them to take responsibility for their actions.
You can bet they'll take notice of a suit when their "insurance" informs them they are not covered for willful and malicious activity, and all legal fees and penalties will have to come out of their treasury.
That info was helpful. It was willful there is no doubt about that!
Thank you, I may be getting out of dodge, but I have no intention of allowing them to get away with the egregious and criminal behavior perpetrated upon me. That was very helpful thank you
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Wow. I know where you're coming from. I lived in a garden apartment rental near the corner of Jerusalem Ave and Greenwich St a few decades ago and know the area. I can appreciate what you're going through.
I'm not sure from your post if are looking for any suggestions or just wanted to vent. Advice is very cheap here, and you always get what you pay for. ;-)
My unsolicited suggestion is to consider if your mental and physical health are worth not trying to get out at any cost. Living under the conditions you describe is enough to drive anyone crazy. If you can afford to move, it may cost you, but it will be one of the best decisions you make.
Also, please don't swear off co-ops. There many many buildings which have a true sense of community and whose board always have the shareholders' best interests at heart. You've learned a lot from the situation you're in right now, let it guide you towards a more suitable building, if you want to own and not rent. Engage a good attorney who can read the board minutes and financials, and help you find a place that can be your forever home.
The very best of luck and good fortune to you.
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