Any New Yorker who lives in a coop or condo knows that their building's support staff plays several crucial roles. Some become the heart and soul of their building – a doorman providing warm greetings at the beginning or end of the day, a super who jokes around with...
Co-ops and condominiums
Local Law 18 is already having an impact
The rise of short-term rentals using Airbnb changed the real estate market in countless ways. A few downsides included a steady stream of strangers passing through the building. Often on vacation with little need to build relationships with neighbors, they could be...
Can a building eject or evict a condo owner?
It’s the law of averages that putting large numbers of people in a condominium building can lead to situations where the rules are not being followed and and the board needs to do something to enforce the by-laws or house rules. Many times these disputes end up in...
Buildings need to be careful when hiring independent contractors
Coops and condo associations in New York City hire individuals and businesses to perform various services. Some are professional businesses with a service contract to fix and replace HVAC, wash windows or care for the landscape. Others may be individuals doing one-off...
Buildings need to address the battery-charging issue
Last year, Lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes were found to be the source of multiple fires, injuries, and deaths throughout New York City. But these batteries are not new, and they can be found in commonly used and necessary items such as cell phones, laptops, tools,...
Can parents leave a co-op to their children?
Parents often find peace of mind by setting aside significant assets like property or homes when making their estate plans. However, the co-op board may have other ideas about whether the heir can move into or stay in the shareholder’s apartment. In many cases, the...
Inflation, interest rates impact NYC co-op and condo sales
After reaching a 32-year high in the fourth quarter of 2021, New York City condos and co-op sales took a drastic drop beginning in late spring, shortly after the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates. The Fed hopes the increases will ease rising inflation and...
Key components for New York cooperative apartment renovations, part 2
This is Part two in a two-part series on New York cooperative apartment renovations. You can read Part 1 here, where we discuss the importance of having a well-formed renovation plan. Continue reading for more information the application process and other components...
Key components for New York cooperative apartment renovations, part 1
Anyone who has been involved in a renovation of an apartment in New York City knows how complicated and possibly contentious this endeavor may be. It is critical to understand the apartment alteration process in order to avoid conflicts and potential lawsuits which...
Good news for Co-ops in 2022
The Housing Stability Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA), enacted by New York State in 2019, was never met with much favor among landlords, including by the boards and management of buildings which are operated as cooperatives. The law was intended primarily to govern...