In today’s economy, co-ops and condos are looking for ways to cut costs wherever they  can, and many are turning to examining their legal bills. The problem is  two-fold: first off, you don’t want to compromise your relationship with your…

 For most of us, there simply are not enough hours in the day to do everything  that needs to be done. We rush to pick the kids up from school, make it to that  impromptu work meeting that just got called, or even find the time to grab som…

 Everyone wants to feel secure and have peace of mind when they lock their doors  each night, but in a multifamily condo or co-op in New York City, you can’t always control who enters your building. Management may have service people  come…

 When co-op and condo owners plan their will, or a prenuptial agreement, their  condo or co-op unit naturally comes into play as an important asset. Often, it’s no problem—the owner leaves the apartment to his or her spouse. It’s especiall…

 Physically, there’s really no difference between co-ops and condos. The savviest property manager  in the five boroughs could not walk into a lobby and say for certain if it’s one or the other. When co-ops are converted to condos, or vice…

How can you tell whether the on-site property manager at a cooperative, condominium or homeowners association community is doing a good job? And what is a 'good job' anyway? Whether a manager is well-liked and whether he or she manages…

 Everybody sometimes disagrees with the decisions of their co-op, condo or  homeowners association board. Maybe the choice to rearrange the garbage  receptacles out front seems ridiculous, or the ongoing clattering of machinery  on the roo…

Convenience and saving money are just a couple reasons why a co-op board or homeowners association would choose to self-manage a property. Though, outside managing firms and property managers are hired and employed for good reason. The…

Q My car was vandalized four times on the co-op’s property. We pay to park there each month. I have paid three times now for the repairs and I think the co-op should pay. There are no signs in the lot saying they are not responsible. …

 Valerie Smaldone lives in a lovely, well-kept, prewar building in the Midtown  East area, known as the Beekman area. Her building was built in the late 1920's  and, among other amenities, has an extraordinary rooftop garden where she  occ…