Co-op and condo boards are made up of resident volunteers who want to serve  their building communities and have a hand in its governance. While some board  members actually make their living as attorneys and have a working knowledge of  …

 With homeownership comes great responsibility. For co-op and condo residents,  part of that responsibility means sorting through the seemingly mile-high  stacks of documents handed to you before, during and after the purchase process  beg…

Although the budget and tax cuts occupy the public agenda in these recessionary times, housing is still as big an issue as ever. Many housing-related bills, including those specifically related to co-ops and condos, have been introduced…

Q Our building is being run by family-based board members. The building is falling apart and there are apartments that have been sitting empty for more than 10 years. We have never seen a financial report. What can we do to change this? …

Q “My husband and I are moving into a community that doesn't allow dogs. However there are people who do have dogs because they said that the law passed 12 years ago and people who had dogs then could keep their dogs and if their dog d…

Q Recently shareholders have asked to have family names added to proprietary stock certificates (I was told to avoid estate “problems” in the future.) I balked (I'm on the board) stating the legal rights of ownership, and liabilities, t…

 Co-op, condo owners and board members understand certain truths; one is that  whether aesthetic, mechanical or otherwise, every building will require repair,  upgrades and improvements. Determining what is a capital project versus what is…

 Of all the modern conveniences we take for granted, perhaps none is as essential  as indoor plumbing. By carrying fresh water into our homes and taking waste  water away, the pipes in our buildings are a little-noticed and well-engineered…

 A residential building’s roof is its first line of defense against whatever the skies throw at it. Left  untreated, roof problems can proliferate and cause thousands of dollars in  damages to residents’ property, as well as the building i…

 These days, the urge to save a few dollars here and there may be inspiring the  creatively inclined to try their hand at home renovation. Before picking up the  paint brush or tearing up that carpeting however, it may be worth it to consu…