When buying an apartment, be it a condo or a co-op, among the soundest advice for any purchaser is caveat emptor - buyer beware. In most buildings (especially older ones), it’s inevitable that there will be occasional and sometimes leng…

Just as a ship cannot steer without its captain, a board cannot function effectively without its president. Serving as the administrative head, this volunteer position is vital for ensuring the smooth operation of a condo, co-op, or HOA boa…

Q. My co-op board just voted to require all shareholders to buy homeowners insurance. I’d like to find out if that’s a common thing, but I don’t know who to ask. Thanks!                                 —Can They Do That? A. “Requiring…

Q. One of our condo units that the owner was renting out to a tenant is now in foreclosure. But before the unit went into foreclosure, the owner (who has been missing in action) was behind on the common charges and the condo board was tak…

Many residential co-ops and condos have commercial retail space or parking garages in their buildings–but frequently, these spaces are not owned or controlled by the condominium or cooperative.  In condominiums, retail space and parking ga…

As autumn sets in and we savor the crisp air and vibrant foliage, it’s time for, it is time for co-ops, condos, and HOAs to focus on the essential maintenance tasks that can help protect their properties during the winter months. Winter, es…

As members of co-op corporations and condominium associations, we often hear the term fiduciary duty bandied about.  But what does it really mean to be a fiduciary? Stated simply, the term ‘fiduciary’ means trust. When a person managing the…

Decarbonization requires considerable planning, with available funding playing a key role in determining the feasibility and prioritization of investments. While there’s no one size fits all approach, multifamily property owners will likely…

A community’s governing documents, including its bylaws and house rules, are like a country’s constitution and laws. They are—or at least they should be—‘living’ documents that like our state and national laws and constitution, occasionally…

At the forefront of reducing carbon emissions nationwide, New York City’s Local Law 97 is prompting co-op and condominium communities to confront and reduce their carbon footprints. More often than not those efforts require costly upgrades …