The rules are almost always different for co-ops, and that is most certainly true for occupancy issues. One of the initial reasons for the co-op ownership structure, both on the part of the those already living there and those buying in, w…
As more and more co-ops and condominium communities seek to attract residents, boards and managers have turned to attractive new programming opportunities for individuals and families. Whether it’s a rooftop Fourth of July party, a gardenin…
In the world of housing, discrimination is a very sensitive subject. A failure to understand it and abide by the laws could result in a lot of trouble, including for boards and owners at condos and co-ops. Avoiding such missteps involving…
Peter and Sarah have three boys, all under the age of six. While that fact sinks in, consider this: all three boys shared a single bedroom in the family’s modest, two-bedroom condo. When the tots were small, this set-up worked well, and Pe…
Thank goodness spring is just around the corner. Even if winter isn’t the same brutal, icy season it used to be, it’s still a welcome relief when the clouds part, temperatures rise, and leaves and buds begin to appear outdoors. Nice as the …
Interviews of all stripes are notoriously nerve-wracking for those being placed under scrutiny. Even mundane details about one's hobbies and interests can seem like daunting reveals when confronted by a stranger in an uncomfortable setting.…
Whether you are already a condo or co-op board member, or just became a new member your board, it never hurts to brush up on your knowledge about proper board practices to make sure things run smoothly in your building. That’s what audienc…
Until you factor in the people who make up the community and culture within it, a building is only a structural space. Residents, owners, maintenance workers, vendors, superintendents and porters all contribute to this culture, but few elem…
When co-op and condo residents agree to serve as board members, some don’t understand the full implications of their service. Governing even a small building or association requires making decisions that can involve hundreds of thousands of…
On a base level, character traits reflect whether a person is ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ Likewise, a board is comprised of a group of individuals who collectively become one ‘character’ charged with steering their community in the right direction. De…