Brokers have a standard modus operandi when selling apartments: Depersonalize the property, stage it, and disappear. Take down family photos, stow the artwork, clear out excess furniture and the clutter of everyday life. And most importantl…
Last week, the New York State Senate did not take up renewal or replacement of the 421a tax abatement that is set to expire on June 15, 2022, leaving the fate of the program—and new residential building in the city—in limbo. Currently kno…
Q. We live in a co-op where the unit we purchased comes with a parking spot. Our parking garage has valet parking and we leave our keys with the attendants. We found that our rearview mirror had scratches on the paint and there was residu…
Q. What can be done when the president of the condo corporation verbally harasses the building’s superintendent? —Seeking to Stop the Abuse A. “Since condominiums are not corporations (although the boards of managers…
Q. I live in a co-op in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The windows in the entire co-op are in bad need of replacement. We live right off the river and it can be extremely windy and cold. I inquired with management if window replaceme…
When remodeling the interior of multifamily buildings and HOAs, boards or board-appointed committees might be tempted to adopt an “out with the old, in with new” approach. Others prefer to stick to “tried and true” designs to suit their aes…
For many, the topic of insurance can be a bit overwhelming. Even the terms we use as insurance purchasers differ substantially from the terms industry professionals use when discussing and settling claims—which can leave laymen feeling like…
First-time buyers in condo associations, co-ops, and other multifamily residential communities are often surprised—and a bit confused—by the way in which their new building or HOA operates. Whether they are coming from a rental background o…
Even before the pandemic and social unrest of the last few years, interpersonal conflict and outright hostility often surfaced in the co-op and condo environment, forcing boards and managers to deal with both legitimate grievances and confl…
In a rental building, the landlord has certain rights under certain circumstances to remove a tenant from his property before the expiration of their lease. In a private home setting, the only real path to removing an owner is through forec…